VKontakte will broaden its grant support program for cultural institutions, according to an official VK press release. The expanded scheme aims to help cultural organizations reach broader audiences and to boost the visibility of cultural content on the platform. In 2024 the total fund for project support will be 60 million rubles, allocated to assist museums, theatres, philharmonic societies, cultural portals, planetariums, exhibition centers, circuses, cultural centers, arts venues, cultural media bloggers, writers, and other cultural initiatives that align with VKontakte’s community objectives.
The grant program features two distinct funding streams. One is monetary support designated for content creation, enabling recipients to produce new works, programs, and experiences that showcase culture in fresh and engaging ways. The other stream is digital funding aimed at promoting these cultural projects on VKontakte through targeted campaigns and enhanced online presence. The dual approach is designed to catalyze both tangible content development and effective digital outreach across VKontakte’s user base.
Participation requirements are clear. Eligible applicants must apply through the VK Grants framework, be governed by a registered legal entity, and maintain an open VKontakte community with a minimum following. Detailed participation rules are published on the VK Grants portal and guide potential grantees through the process, ensuring transparency and consistency in selection.
Applications for cash grants will open on January 15 and close on February 22, 2024. Each applicant may submit up to three separate project proposals. Cash grants awarded to a single recipient can reach up to 5 million rubles, supporting substantial content creation initiatives and audience outreach efforts. Digital grant applications are scheduled to open in the spring of 2024, with funding available up to 1 million rubles per recipient to support digital promotion campaigns and online distribution strategies.
The grant program is presented as a means to attract new audiences for theatres, museums, and other cultural organizations. It also emphasizes delivering content that resonates with younger VKontakte users through digital formats, thereby expanding the platform’s cultural footprint. The program aims to foster growth not only for large federal projects but also for culturally significant regional institutions and up-and-coming writers who bring fresh perspectives to the cultural landscape.
The scope and scale of support are determined by a coordination board dedicated to VK grants. This board includes prominent figures from the cultural sector as well as VK employees, reflecting a balanced approach to both artistic merit and platform priorities. Through this governance structure, decisions about the number of grants and the distribution of funds are made with input from industry leaders and the VK community team, ensuring alignment with VKontakte’s broader mission to support cultural exchange and community engagement.
Overall, the program signals VKontakte’s ongoing commitment to integrating culture into everyday online experiences. By pairing content creation with strategic digital promotion, the grants are positioned to amplify cultural offerings, foster regional talent, and create pathways for cultural projects to reach new audiences across the platform and beyond. In doing so, VKontakte seeks to contribute to a richer online ecosystem where traditional arts traditions meet contemporary digital storytelling, offering cultural organizations a structured avenue to grow and connect with audiences.
Cited authority for these details comes from VKontakte’s official grant program communication, which outlines eligibility, funding limits, and the expected impact on both cultural producers and VKontakte’s user community.