Pojects Set to Start under the Estonian NGO Fund
April 17, 2008The evaluation of the projects submitted in response to the first open call under the €2.3 million Estonian NGO Fund has been completed, and grants will be awarded to 27 projects from all across Estonia.
When the first tranche of the €2.3 million fund became available in November 2007, over 120 applications for grants were submitted to fund manager Open Estonia Foundation. The great interest from the Estonian NGO community was met with a launch of a second call already in February 2008, which will remain open until 22 April.
The 13 small and 14 large projects selected in the first call will be carried out by a vast array of organisations, including larger umbrella organisations, regional networks, and local NGOs in Estonia. Among the supported projects are activities aimed at improving the communication between animal protection volunteers, a development program for school student councils, and a project by Transparency International Estonia aimed at scrutinising the Estonian judicial system. Several community involvement projects will be carried out in Karksi, Ruhnu, Sõrandu, Lihula and Hiiumaa. A full list with descriptions of the supported projects is available at http://www.oef.org.ee/en/programs/6/20080411010143/
Maris Jõgeva, coordinator of the NGO Fund, is convinced that one advantage of the grant scheme is that achievement of wider program goals can be reinforced through supporting the development of single NGOs, and at the same time initiatives with cross-national influence. "Successful projects reflected professionalism and awareness about the capacity to influence life in Estonia through civic action," Jõgeva said.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are supporting the Estonian NGO fund with €2.1 million, with the Estonian government providing the remaining ten percent of the fund. Over the coming three years small-scale grants will be provided to Estonian NGOs and social partners within the focus areas democracy and civil society, environment and sustainable development, and social integration and local development.
The second open call is ongoing and deadline for submitting projects is April 22, third open call will have a deadline in September. The support of EEA and Norwegian financial mechanisms to Estonian NGOs is intermediated by Open Estonia Foundation.
Additional information:
Maris Jõgeva
Program coordinator
Phone: +372 631 3791, +372 53 421 726
E-mail: maris@oef.org.ee