RHIZOM/RAZOM: Strengthening Interregional Cultural Partnerships

Funding: Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Civil Society Cooperation
Partners: Representative Office of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany, Insha Osvita
Duration: October 2025 – June 2026
Project management: Bozhena Pelenska
Contact: germany@ui.org.ua

“RHIZOM/RAZOM: Strengthening Interregional Cultural Partnerships” is the second edition of a program initiated by the Representative Office of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany. In the 2025–2026 cycle, Insha Osvita became the key partner of the program. The initiative is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

This open call and program are addressed to Ukrainian and German NGOs, cultural and educational institutions working in the socio-cultural sphere that aim to implement joint projects dedicated to the topic of decolonization in 2025–2026.

RHIZOM/RAZOM is not just a name — it is a symbol of our vision of cultural partnership, cooperation, and shared development across borders.

The term “rhizome” comes from botany and refers to an underground root network that branches in all directions without a single center. In philosophy, the term describes non-hierarchical, network-based structures that symbolize openness, diversity, and organic growth. This is how we imagine international cultural relations — as an ever-growing network of people, ideas, and experiences that mutually reinforce one another.

“Razom” means “together” in Ukrainian. It embodies unity and collaboration — solidarity being a core value of this initiative.

RHIZOM/RAZOM brings these concepts together: a decentralized, resilient network (RHIZOM) and a living community (RAZOM). The program encourages cooperation between Ukrainian and German NGOs, civil society actors, and cultural and educational organizations to build sustainable partnerships, foster social dialogue, and co-create an open, democratic Europe.

The RHIZOM/RAZOM program is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany’s Civil Society Cooperation initiative and coordinated by the Representative Office of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany in partnership with Insha Osvita.