2000 Baltic-American Partnership Program - Estonia

In 2000 the BAPP - Estonia provided continued support for a number of projects begun in 1999 and initiated new programs, all of which were designed to establish a more favorable external environment for the third sector, to provide support for the institutional development of NGOs as well as to promote financial sustainability of the third sector and the development of local philanthropy. The 1999 media program, which consisted primarily of an insert focusing on NGO issues and activities in one of Estonia's most popular daily newspapers, was expanded to include Estonian- and Russian- language television and radio news programs. 1999 funding for a nationwide network of NGO resource centers was also continued, with BAPP funding planned for incremental decrease beginning in 2001 in order to foster the centers' financial sustainability. The BAPP - Estonia also furthered its efforts to create a sustainable and critical mass of NGOs by providing a second year of funding to seven of the 35 NGOs that had received direct support grants in 1999. The selected seven NGOs were those that had demonstrated exemplary work in 1999, and their year two grants allowed for follow-on work to their 1999 funded projects and for the expansion of their activities, both in terms of geographic range and target groups.

New projects supported in 2000 included an innovative web-based forum that provided the third sector with the opportunity to submit comments and input on draft legislation to government ministries before laws are finalized and enacted. Drawing on the example of its colleagues in Lithuania, the BAPP - Estonia also initiated a program of joint funding with local governments for community-based NGOs. Other projects new to the program in 2000 included a course of undergraduate study in nonprofit management, a program developing philanthropic activity within the corporate sector and completion of early research on the potential development of community foundations in Estonia. Please see grant list, below, for a more detailed description of BAPP-Estonia-supported projects.

Media Program

Estonian Newspaper Association, Tallinn $11,500 & Eesti Paevaleht, Tallinn $21,148
For preparation and distribution of a monthly supplement to the Estonian daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht, that focuses on the activities and issues connected with non-profit sector and brings the issues of civic participation, volunteer work and philanthropy to prominence in current public debate.

Estonian Radio, Radio 4, Tallinn $3,596
For a biweekly Russian-language radio program consisting of discussions, and interviews with non-profit and public sector representatives.

Russian-language National Daily Estonia, Tallinn $8,552
For a section of the paper devoted to publicizing civic initiatives in Estonia.

Estonian TV, Tallinn $22,436
For a weekly program on the non-profit sector and its activities.

Filmimees Productions, Tallinn $9,268
For a biweekly program on non-profit sector.

Network of NGO Resource Centers

Establishment of and support for regional NGO resource centers which provide information, training and consultations to NGOs in the regions, disseminate information on non-profit sector activities, publicize opportunities for volunteer work and facilitate cooperation between citizens, local governments and businesses.

Network of Estonian Non-profit Organizations, Tallinn $16,682
For providing materials and training to the following nine centers, which also received support grants:

Narva NGO Support Center $6,036
Läänemaa NGO Support Center $9,948
Tartu- and Jõgevamaa NGO Support Center $8,034
NGO Support Center of South-Eastern Estonia $8,545
Hiiumaa NGO Support Center $3,628
Saaremaa NGO Support Center $7,255
Virumaa NGO Support Center $7,911
NGO Support Center of South and South-Western Estonia $11,362
NGO Support Center of Heartland Estonia $9,599

 

Promoting Cooperation between the Public and Non-Profit Sector on Policy Issues

Estonian Law Center Foundation (ELCF), Tartu $30,000
Support for the creation of an electronic network allowing NGOs to provide comments on legislation to government ministries.

Non-Profit Management Education

Tallinn University of Educational Sciences $8,000
For launching a university-wide program in non-profit management at Tallinn University of Educational Sciences.

Grants to NGOs

 For add-on funding for the organizational development of organizations (listed below) that were supported by BAPP's 1999 open grant competition and for additional support enabling them to share their success stories with other NGOs and stakeholders.

Peipsiveere Development Foundation $4,545
Mustvee Ecotourism Association $2,727
Tartu Farmers Association $4,545
Junior Achievement Development Foundation, Tallinn $4,338
Small Islands Youth Association, Vormsi $4,091
Järvamaa Educational Association, Paide $3,939
Tartumaa Village Movement $4,501

Local Government and NGO Cooperation

For core support to NGOs receiving funding from local governments for service provision in their communities. BAPP awarded grants to the following community organizations on a matching basis with local governments:

Ulvi Women Association $12,121
A women’s association in North-Eastern Estonia focusing on community development and offering opportunities for civic participation.

Helme Parish Pensioners’ Association $3,636
An community development organization advocating on behalf of pensioners and working to raise civic participation among the elderly.

Väike-Maarja Parish Popular Sports Association $12,121
An organization providing activities for and promoting healthy lifestyles among youth.

NGO Koduväli, Illuka $8,273
A self-help group working primarily with the elderly.

NGO Kunda Elulõng $12,121
An association on local development of the town of Kunda.

Virumaa Youth Counseling Center, Rakvere $10,000
An organization focusing on services for youth and encouraging their constructive participation in society.

Sangaste Heakorraselts $12,121
An environmental association working for heritage preservation in their community.

Räpina Evangelical Congregation $3,030
An association focusing on youth issues and activities.

Organizational Development

For grants enabling participation in professional trainings, internships, seminars and conferences in Estonia and abroad.

Network of Regional NGO Resource Centers, Tallinn $7,678
For participation in the 2001 NGO Forum in Göteborg, Sweden; 7th European Social Economy Forum in Gävle, Sweden; the European Foundation Centre Annual General Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden; and a study trip to Poland on community philanthropy

Anneli Säre, VSA-Estonia, Tallinn $1,212
For participation in the Very Special Arts international conference in Tampa, USA.

Kertu Ruus, Estonian Newspaper Association, Tallinn $1,036
For participation in the European Social Economy Forum in Gävle, Stockholm.

Agu Laius, Jaan Tõnisson Institute, Tallinn $1,212
For participation in the World Alliance of Citizen Participation CIVICUS World Assembly in Vancouver, Canada.

Raul Heido, Tartu Child Support Center, Rakvere $1,101
For participation in Project Harmony's training course on family violence in Irkutsk, Russia.

Piret Laidroo, Juhan Kunder’s Association, Rakvere $210
For a management training course in Lääne-Virumaa county, Estonia.

Üllo Ansberg, NGO Südamaa Vabavald, Paide $1,212
For a management training course.

Anu Jänes, NGO Porkuni, Tamsalu $727
For participation in a seminar on networking and developing partnerships in Denmark.

Marko Kaldur, NGO Ida-Viru.Net, Johvi $50
For a youth leadership training course in Great Britan.

Kaidi-Mari Kase, NGO Estonian Rural Tourism, Tallinn $ 1,120
For participation in the Scotish Agricultural College's "New Directions in Managing Rural Tourism" conference in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Kalle Kiipus, Livonia Development Center, Kilingi-Nomme $ 667
For participation in the project "Cultural Villages of Europe" in Bystre, Czech Republic.

Tõnis Korts, NPO Viljandimaa Tourism, Viljandi $ 1,119
For participation in a training program on nature and ecological problems in Germany.

Katrin Viru, Estonian Debate Society, Tallinn $1,480
For participation in the International Debate Education Association's conference "Opening Minds, Borders and Societies" in Prague, Czech Republic.

Aili Kogermann, NPO Puruvanakesed, Tallinn $779
For participation in the European Pensioner Association's seminar on volunteer work among elderly people in Berlin, Germany.

Jörgen Siil, Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, Tallinn $661
For participation in Danish Atlantic Treaty Association's seminar in Kolding, Denmark.

Birgit Lao, Federation of Estonian Students Unions, Tallinn $1,212
For a visit to Danish Federation of Students Unions and participation in a seminar on involving students in decision-making in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Liis Variksaar, Young European Federalists-Estonia, Tallinn $508
For participation in the youth exchange and training program "Young European Citizens" in Athens, Greece.

Riina Kuusik, Estonian Refugee Council, Tallinn $1,017
For participation in the International Institute of Humanitarian Law course on refugee law in San Remo, Italy.

Urmas Loit, Independent Press Council, Tallinn $605
For participation in the Association of Independent Press Councils of Europe's 3rd Annual Meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

Estonian Chamber for Agriculture and Commerce, Tallinn $ 1,410
For participation in the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) conference in July 2000.