Ministry of Culture announces 2026 cultural decentralization grant program

The Deputy Ministry of Culture has announced the 2026 Cultural Decentralization Grant Program, with applications open from April 17 to May 8. The budget for this year has been increased to €400,000, representing a significant rise compared to previous years, such as €287,000 in 2025 and €276,000 in 2024. The program aims to promote free cultural events in rural areas, with previous years seeing between 44 and 73 performances across 38 to 56 communities. For 2026, the ministry has introduced new options including repeated productions, workshops, and cultural walks. Eligible applicants now include community service clusters in addition to individual artists, creators, and cultural organizations. Priority scoring is given to activities occurring in mountainous, remote, or wildfire-affected areas to support vulnerable groups and intergenerational participation.