The Estonian NGO Programme will strengthen civil society development and contribute to social justice, democracy and sustainable development. Priorities include intercultural dialogue, youth and services to children and families.
Mall Hellam from Open Estonia Foundation welcomed everyone, and Ingrid Susanne Farner, Chargé d'affaires from the Royal Norwegian Embassy spoke about the aims of EEA and Norway Grants. Lillian Solheim from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee introduced the Norwegian organisations present.
Then, inspiring speakers from both Estonia and Norway spoke about challenges and opportunities facing NGOs. Tarmo Juristo from Memokraat talked about the link between NGOs and politics, and how NGOs give societies cohesion. Birgitte Brekke from the Association of Norwegian NGOs talked on the importance of NGOs in order to provide social change and in building trust and common values in society. Also, she outlined the role that NGOs can play as advocates and watch dogs in society. Important factors when advocating are knowledge, message, target group and realistic expectations. Advocacy, according to Birgitte Brekke, is a tool to create space for NGOs. The speech from Annika Uudelepp from PRAXIS Center for Policy Studies focused on NGOs as vehicles for change. NGOs should also make sure that they find place where they really matter and take initiative, she stressed.
Approximately 120 Estonian NGOs were present during the launch, as well as a delegation from Norway consisting of NGO representatives from a diverse range of fields and interests, including children, youth, disabilities, inclusion and heritage.
After the launch, meetings were held in order for NGOs representatives from Norway and Estonia to discuss potential partnership projects. The following day, an introduction to the development programme for NGOs was provided and discussion on how to foster partnerships and expectations was held.
Programme operator Open Estonia Foundation may now prepare the first open call for project proposals from Estonian civil society. The tentative date for the open call will be in September 2012.
Information about the timing of the call will be published on the website of Open Estonia Foundation and www.eeagrants.org as soon as this is available. While applicants need to be registered as NGOs in Estonia, entities from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may participate as project partners. Projects receiving support may be implemented until 2016.
