The Deputy Ministry of Culture announced that the results of the “Culture III” grant programme are expected to be published in April, according to a statement issued on Friday afternoon while artists were gathered outside the ministry building to protest delays in cultural funding schemes.
The announcement states that the evaluation process for the “Culture III” programme has already begun and is expected to be completed within April. The publication of results is scheduled to take place at some point during the month, depending on the workload in each individual sector.
The ministry also confirmed that the names of the evaluators will be announced on Monday, as part of a commitment to transparency in the evaluation procedure.
New grant programmes to be announced
The Deputy Ministry also stated that a number of grant programmes will be launched shortly, including the “Kypria” programme, a support scheme for cultural organisations covering costs related to promotion, communication and international networking, as well as a scheme for operational expenses for theatre organisations.
Another funding scheme for cultural organisations aimed at covering operational costs will also be announced.
In addition, several programmes are expected to be launched during March, including the Cultural Decentralisation Programme, a support scheme for cultural activities of religious groups, and other targeted funding initiatives.
Delays acknowledged by the ministry
The announcement also refers to delays observed this year in several grant programmes, either in their announcement or in the publication of results.
According to the ministry, these delays have created disruptions within the cultural ecosystem and have affected the planning of cultural organisations and individual creators.
The Deputy Ministry said it is examining corrective adjustments to implementation timelines, in order to absorb the delays recorded this year and ensure the smooth implementation of planned cultural activities.
Planned consultations and timeline adjustments
At the same time, the ministry announced that it will proceed with public consultations on the grant programmes, with the aim of finalising necessary changes before the summer of 2026.
This would allow programmes to be announced in autumn 2026 for the 2027 funding cycle.
The Deputy Ministry also expressed respect for artists and their work, noting that it recognises the crucial role they play in shaping the contemporary cultural identity of Cyprus.