ESTDEV funds 10 scholarship programmes to support students from development cooperation partner countries
The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) has awarded 399,611 euros to 10 scholarship programmes after this year’s application round.
These scholarship programmes aim to make Estonian education more accessible to students from development cooperation partner countries. Financial assistance allows them to complete microdegrees or additional education in areas that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals in their home countries. After completing the training programme, students return to their home countries with the knowledge and skills to drive change and empower their fellow citizens.
Scholarship programmes funded this year
Tallinn University will award up to 15 scholarships to students from Ukraine, Armenia, Botswana, Georgia, Kenya, Moldova, Namibia and Uganda to enhance their knowledge of the Estonian education system through the Educational Innovation and Management microdegree programme.
Grant amount: 66,450 euros
Visionest Institute OÜ will provide training programmes for export consultants. The scholarships will fund 20 participants from Georgia and seven from Ukraine. The training consists of learning modules, individual mentoring sessions and practical work in local companies, giving participants real-world export consulting experience.
Grant amount: 88,300 euros
The Estonian School of Diplomacy will offer seven scholarships for diplomats, civil servants and civil society representatives during the 2025/2026 academic year for their International Relations and Diplomacy programme. Three of the seven scholarships are intended specifically for students from Ukraine.
Grant amount: 110,600 euros
Tallinn University of Technology is offering scholarships to up to 15 students from Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova to study the Next Generation Digital Government microdegree programme.
Grant amount: 50,616 euros
The University of Tartu is awarding scholarships for three microdegree programmes:
The Fundamentals of the European Union programme will accept up to 20 Ukrainian learners who are either civil servants, civil society representatives or otherwise directly involved in Ukraine’s EU accession process.
Grant amount: 30,300 euros
The Creative Project Management programme will accept 15 learners from ESTDEV’s partner countries in Africa for training on management strategies to prepare them for work in creative industries.
Grant amount: 21,375 euros
The Transformative Technology Use for Education Futures programme will support the professional development of five educators from Armenia, Georgia and/or Moldova.
Grant amount: 11,970 euros
MTÜ Tuleviku Tehnoloogiaharidus offers a continuing education programme based on the innovative kood/Jõhvi learning experience for Kenyan learners.
Grant amount: 20,000 euros
Scholarship programme Call for Proposals to change from 2026
This year was the last time ESTDEV will hold a separate scholarship programme Call for Proposals. In the future, the scholarship programme will be better linked to Estonian development cooperation activities in partner countries.
“From 2026, there will be no separate scholarship round,” said Kristi Kulu, ESTDEV’s programme manager for education. “Instead, scholarship programmes will be part of larger country- or region-specific Calls for Proposals. The aim is to ensure that each scholarship directly supports development cooperation goals, contributes to reforms in the partner country and creates a long-term impact.”
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