The root of the word ecology comes from the Greek word oikos (meaning home or environment). During the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, we have seen numerous forms of violence: the destruction of lives, natural worlds, and their interconnections. Diverse environments, their multispecies relationships, and languages of expression are in danger.

The full-scale invasion has made clear the interconnections between war, colonialism, extraction, and the environment, making it an apt time to rethink Ukrainian ecologies. Focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration between art, humanities, and science, we aim to support the creation of projects that preserve or reveal the impact of the war on the Ukrainian environment.

What are they, Ukrainian ecologies? How can we protect them? What does it mean to engage in environmental practice during the war? What practices do those who work with environmental challenges through the humanities and the arts turn to? How can we challenge anthropocentric perspectives on war?

About the residency

The residency invites Ukrainian artists who research environmental topics and want to implement a project in collaboration with experts involved in environmental research (researchers, ecologists, scientists, activists, etc.). Residents can choose experts to collaborate with on the project topic. They will receive a stipend of €1200 (including materials), curatorial support, logistical costs of up to €300, and assistance in project implementation.
The format of the two-week collaboration will be determined by the artists and experts with the support of the organisers. This may include joint fieldwork and/or consultations. The logistical costs covered by the residency include accommodation, transport and per diem during the fieldwork. After completing the fieldwork, the participants will have one month to complete the project.

The residency results will be presented at a public presentation in Kyiv. Depending on the format and medium, projects can be published by the project's media partner, Solomiya Magazine, in our special environmental issue, or presented at public events organised after the residency.

Project timetable

16.06.2024 — Application deadline,
21.06.2004 — Announcement of results
07.2024 — Residency programme (2-week field work with experts)
08.2024 — Project implementation
09.2024 — Public presentation in Kyiv

Participation details are on the Open Call page, and you can fill out the application via the hyperlink.

If you have any questions about the application form or the residency programme, please contact [email protected]

The Ukrainian Environmental Humanities Network (UEHN) was founded in 2022 by Dmytro Chepurnyi, Karolina Uskakovych, Jonathon Turnbull, Oleksandra Pohrebniak, and Eva Sulek. The network brings together scientists, researchers, artists, curators, designers, academics and activists interested in the environment and ecology of Ukraine.