ESTDEV to fund 11 projects in EU Eastern Neighbourhood countries

Margus Gering, ESTDEV's regional head for the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, said that the capacity of ESTDEV's partners and project quality have significantly improved over time. "It is particularly gratifying to see a clear qualitative increase in the projects that received funding this year, including several with strong potential to grow into initiatives with greater impact. These projects support specific partners and contribute substantially to Estonia's development cooperation strategic objectives, helping to create sustainable change and strengthen societies in our partnership countries," said Gering. 

According to ESTDEV project manager Marika Kundla, new companies, NGOs, and long-term partners participated in this year's application round. "This means that development cooperation activities also appeal to a wider sector than the usual partners," said Kundla, who was also pleased to see increased competition in Armenia, as Estonian development cooperation restarted in the country only last year. 

"Due to political turbulence, the number of applications in Belarus and Georgia was somewhat smaller, as expected. At the same time, the projects that received funding support civil society with very specific activities, which was the main goal," said Kundla. 

Funded projects in Armenia 

This application round aims to support Armenia's development by incorporating Estonia's best practices in promoting democracy, including digital development and improving the quality of education. 

Visionest Institute's project "Export Training in Armenia" aims to create a systematic framework for Armenian entrepreneurs to prepare an export plan based on their strengths and market opportunities. The training programme covers, among others, market entry strategies, product and service customisation, logistics and marketing. The programme supports the development of an international business culture and the emergence of a network of local export practitioners. 

Grant amount: €74,629 

The Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation will receive funding for "Promoting Education in Regenerative and Organic Agriculture in Armenia" to promote the adoption of regenerative agriculture in Armenia. The project aims to improve awareness and skills in the agricultural sector by implementing innovative teaching methods and educational technology solutions, resulting in the broader adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and promoting compliance of the Armenian agricultural sector with EU requirements. 

Grant amount: €73,148 

As of this year, Armenian citizens are required to file annual tax returns, which means their bank account and income data should be available to the state tax authority. Proud Engineers' project, "Data exchange between banks and the tax authority of Armenia," will support the new system by developing data exchange requirements, including the necessary technical specifications for application interfaces between stakeholders and a technical migration plan. 

Grant amount: €50,000 

Funded projects in Moldova 

These projects will promote Moldova's efforts to integrate with the EU, modernise modern education and develop a more resilient democratic society. 

The Estonian School of Diplomacy will train senior civil servants involved in Moldova's EU negotiations and the country's domestic EU integration process through the project "Preparation of the Moldovan Public Sector for Negotiations and Integration with the European Union." The project aims to improve Moldova's institutional capacity and readiness to develop and sustainably implement new EU-oriented study programmes. 

Grant amount: €65,740 

University of Tartu's project "Connecting Estonia and Moldova for European Readiness and Innovative Education (CONNECT4MORE)" addresses two challenges faced by Moldovan higher education institutions: greater integration of digital pedagogies into curriculum development and ensuring continuous professional development of teaching staff and promoting EU-related teaching and learning among Moldovan youth, while developing their intercultural competence and transferable skills. 

Grant amount: €64,591 

NGO European Cybersecurity Initiative's project "Strengthening Moldova's Cyber Readiness and Preparation for Accession to the European Union Based on Regulations (NIS2)" aims to improve the level of Moldova's cybersecurity, focusing primarily on the country's readiness to transpose and implement EU regulations. The project focuses on the implementation of the NIS2 (EU Network and Information Security Directive 2) directive. 

Grant amount: €48,925 

NGO Organisation for Development, Security and Sustainment (ODSS) will continue its mentoring programme at the Ștefan cel Mare Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of Moldova, which started in 2021. The project aims to modernise the academy and align it with EU requirements. 

Grant amount: €38,830 

Funded projects in Georgia 

This call for proposals aimed to support the development of free and independent media in Georgia and empower civil society. 

NGO Estonian Refugee Council will empower civil society organisations in Georgia by improving their capacity to cope with regulatory challenges, secure funding and promote cooperation between regions. Through workshops and training sessions, participants will acquire practical skills, including project writing, financial management and dealing with the Transparency Law. 

Grant amount: €25,000 

NGO Mondo's project "Strong and Safe Civil Society" aims to support the preservation of a strong civil society in Georgia by raising awareness among NGOs, activists and journalists about physical and cyber security, providing them with practical skills on how to stand up for their rights and cope with detention, interrogation and wiretapping. 

Grant amount: €24,364 

Funded projects in Belarus 

These projects will empower Belarus's democratic civil society in exile. 

The project run by NGO Valgevene Uus Tee (Belarus New Road), "Belarus 2025: Belarusian communities in the Baltic States for European values, against the nuclear threat and Russian expansion," is being implemented in Estonia and other Baltic States to strengthen cooperation among the Belarusian diaspora, expand opportunities, solve refugees' current problems, and oppose Russian expansion and the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus. 

Grant amount: €50,000 

NGO Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Republic of Estonia will run a programme called "Belarus Bridge," which aims to strengthen ties between the Belarusian diaspora and Belarusian and Estonian experts. The project was created to exchange experiences in democratic reforms, human rights, and civic participation and educate Belarusians in Estonia. The project will increase awareness of local government issues and facilitate communication between Belarusian and Estonian experts and the exchange of experiences in the field of local government. 

Grant amount: €20,140 

More information about ongoing and completed application rounds can be found here.