Chytomo Award for Outstanding Achievements in Publishing 2026 — Call for Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the Chytomo Award for Outstanding Achievements in Publishing 2026, recognising the contributions of individuals and organisations to Ukraine’s publishing and literary sectors. The award is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation and the Mnozhyna Foundation.

This year, a new category, “Local Change Attribution,” joins the three existing categories: “Publishing Solutions,” “Ambassador of the Ukrainian Book,” and “Book Initiative That Promotes Reading.”

Winners will receive 150,000 UAH (approximately 3,285 U.S. dollars) in each category.

Now in its fourth year, the Chytomo Award recognises cultural managers, publishers, creative and civic organisations, libraries, book journalists and bloggers, booksellers and distributors, and others whose achievements have made a significant impact on the industry.

“This year, we’ve made several changes to the award because we found ourselves asking: Can we really talk about outstanding achievements in an industry that is being systematically destroyed, when simply remaining in this field is an outstanding achievement in itself? We realised that Ukrainian publishing is simply not in a position to ‘set trends’ right now. But we must look for solutions that will help us get through this difficult time and carry on the tradition of Ukrainian publishing and writing,” said Iryna Baturevych, co-founder of Chytomo.

“Another change came from the many nominations we received for local projects, which find it quite difficult to compete with projects operating on a national scale. We realised that a separate category was needed. We are now not only open to local festivals, literary competitions, community libraries, and other book initiatives, but, thanks to the Mnozhyna Foundation, one of these projects will also have the opportunity to receive a guaranteed award in a separate category,” Baturevych added.

“Reading brings people together and offers support even in the hardest times. The Chytomo Award shows that behind Ukrainian books are talented, creative, dedicated people who develop Ukrainian books and the communities around them. The award recognises those who build this space: publishers who are changing the industry, ambassadors who bring Ukrainian literature to the world, and initiatives that help people rediscover the joy of reading even during wartime. Supporting this kind of work is especially important to the Social Capital programme because it builds connections that make society stronger,” said Hryhorii Baran, director of the Social Capital programme at the International Renaissance Foundation.

Nominations are open from November 4 to November 23, 2026, in four categories:

1. “Publishing Solutions” — recognises innovative approaches to publishing, creative business transformation during wartime, the development of new partnerships and Ukraine’s book industry, inclusive practices, corporate social responsibility, and contributions to countering Russian aggression and war crimes.
2. “Ambassador of the Ukrainian Book” — recognises individuals who have helped raise the international profile of Ukrainian books and literature, promoted a positive image of Ukrainian culture, developed international partnerships, and found new ways to promote Ukrainian literature abroad.
3. “Book Initiative That Promotes Reading” — recognises initiatives that encourage reading, create spaces and opportunities for readers, transform education through literature, and support people through reading during wartime.
4. “Local Change Attribution” — recognises initiatives that support cultural life in local communities, improve access to books and reading, strengthen community ties and mutual support, and involve military personnel and veterans in literary creation and cultural activities. Preference will be given to initiatives in frontline communities.

“The Mnozhyna Foundation believes that every Ukrainian can be the author of their own life, and every community can be the author of its own changes. The ‘Local Change Attribution’ category recognises initiatives that unite neighbours through books and reading, help people cope with anxiety, and offer hope in places where life is dangerous. These initiatives rarely make national headlines, but they are what the country’s resilience is built on. We are proud that, together with Chytomo, we can help bring them to wider attention,” said Halyna Hryhorenko, head of the Culture programme at the Mnozhyna Foundation.

Ukrainian and foreign organisations can nominate candidates, including cultural institutions, civic associations, companies, educational institutions, libraries and library associations, and media organisations. Each organisation may nominate up to three candidates, one in each category, by completing the application form. The application form must be completed in Ukrainian and English, although non-Ukrainian nominating organisations may submit it in English only.

Once nominations close, the Organizing Committee will review the applications for compliance with the award’s requirements and compile a long list of candidates. The jury, whose full membership will be announced separately, will then select five nominees for the shortlist in each category.

The Chytomo Award ceremony, attended by finalists and jury members, will take place in Kyiv in late January 2027.

The Chytomo Award was established in 2023 by Chytomo, a media outlet covering books and publishing in Ukraine and around the world. More information is available in the 2026 Chytomo Award regulations.

Chytomo brings together a community united by a love of literature and visual culture. It provides a platform for communication and discussion among publishing professionals, literary and artistic communities, readers, and institutions involved in cultural policy and development.

The International Renaissance Foundation is one of Ukraine’s largest charitable foundations. Since 1990, it has worked to build an open society in Ukraine, where citizens participate in shaping their country and the authorities are transparent and accountable. The foundation works to strengthen human rights protections and support positive change for Ukrainian society.

The Mnozhyna Foundation is a philanthropic organisation working to strengthen the agency of individuals and society amid profound changes. Its mission is to help Ukrainians become the authors of their own lives. The foundation supports people, ideas, and institutions capable of creating lasting change.

Read more about the Chytomo Award winners in 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Image: Chytomo