23/05/2025
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Programmes
AI expands human possibilities and, among other things, helps increase competitiveness in entrepreneurship. For young people with refugee backgrounds, this is especially important. It can give them a stronger starting position when entering the labour market and support smoother integration into a new society.
On Wednesday, the final event – cross-border online hackathon – of the first season of the Start Smart training series took place. It brought together participants from both Estonia and Finland. In total, 18 young people from Estonia completed the training and 4 teams from Estonia participated in the hackathon.
Prizes for the hackathon were sponsored by Eckerö Line – a big thank you for the support!
This autumn, we’ll launch two more groups. More information available at the end of summer — stay tuned!
Start Smart entrepreneurship training programme is part of UPBEAT project – Upskilling Immigrants for Business Planning and Entrepreneurship using AI Technologies. Project partners are Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Startup Refugees and Estonian Refugee Council. Project is co-funded by the European Union, through the Interreg Central Baltic Programme.
23/05/2025
Over 2 million hryvnias in aid delivered to Shevchenkove community in Mykolaiv region within ERC’s livelihoods program
Over 2 million hryvnias in aid delivered to Shevchenkove community in Mykolaiv region within ERC’s livelihoods program
The Shevchenkove community is one of the hardest-hit areas in Mykolaiv region of Ukraine. In 2022, it was on the frontline—eight of its settlements were occupied, and the others came under constant attack.
22/05/2025
From loss to new beginnings: Providing livelihood support to displaced Ukrainians
From loss to new beginnings: Providing livelihood support to displaced Ukrainians
On 5 July 2024, a guided bomb struck Komar village in Donetska oblast, shattering Ivan’s world. His only daughter, Halyna, just 32, was killed in the attack while working at the village council—one of the targets that tragic day.
21/05/2025
Labour market programme nearing completion offers refugees new opportunities
Labour market programme nearing completion offers refugees new opportunities
Rebuilding one’s life in a new country can be very difficult. Finding a job is not always easy, especially when the local work and cultural environment and administrative rules are still unfamiliar. To support this process, we carried out a labour market programme Edge Up, developed in cooperation between the Estonian Refugee Council, the Latvian organisation Shelter “Safe House”, the Estonian Labour Inspectorate, and the Latvian Labour Inspectorate.
16/05/2025
New Complaints and Feedback Mechanism
New Complaints and Feedback Mechanism
As a humanitarian organisation, we are committed to the highest ethical standards, transparency, and accountability. To make it easier and more convenient to share your experiences with us, we have launched a new Complaints and Feedback Mechanism.
13/05/2025
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in April
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in April
Eestis algasid pagulastaustaga noortele mõeldud ettevõtluskoolituse “Start Smart” koolitused. Eestis viisime läbi emadepäeva kampaania “Kingitus kahele emale”, et toetada Ukrainas elavaid emasid hügieenitarvetega. Eestis viime läbi "MindSpring" grupipõhist programmi pagulastaustaga inimestele, mis toetab hakkamasaamist uues ja võõras riigis. Ukrainas alustame nõuandeliini kaudu vaimse tervise toe pakkumist nii Ukrainas kui ka mujal riikides asuvatele ukrainlastele, et toetada sõja tõttu kannatanud inimeste hakkamasaamist. Armeenias, Tavushi piirkonnas jätkuvad tööd, et leevendada vee- ja energiasäästlike põllumajanduslahenduste toel veepuudust, edendada kliimamuutustega toimetulekut ja pakkuda lastele keskkonnaalast haridust.Gruusias toetame sealsete Ukraina pagulasi rahapõhise humanitaarabiga, et toetada inimeste toimetulekut ja aidata neil igapäevase eluga paremini toime tulla.Jordaanias toetame haavatavas seisus perede toimetulekut, mille eesotsas on naised. Koolitame kohalikke ja pagulastaustaga naisi Süüriast, et nad saaksid kasvatada perele vajalikku toitu hüdropoonilistes kasvuhoonetes.
29/04/2025
Estonian Refugee Council launches Mother’s Day donation campaign to support Ukrainian mothers
Estonian Refugee Council launches Mother’s Day donation campaign to support Ukrainian mothers
Today marks the start of the Estonian Refugee Council’s Mother’s Day campaign, A gift for two mothers, aimed at helping mothers in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya region by providing essential hygiene supplies.
14/04/2025
Ukrainian Refugees Adapting Well to Life in Estonia
Ukrainian Refugees Adapting Well to Life in Estonia
Estonian Refugee Council, together with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), conducted a socio-economic survey called SEIS among Ukrainian refugees, shedding light on their experiences integrating into a new society.
10/04/2025
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in March
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in March
The Estonian Refugee Council is opening a representative office in Syria to support people affected by the civil war and contribute to the country's reconstruction.The third season of the Empowering Women entrepreneurship programme has concluded in Estonia. Estonian Refugee Council supported 14 teams with participants with a refugee background.In the Tavush region of Armenia, construction has begun on three hydroponic greenhouses. These aim to help alleviate water shortages, support climate resilience, and provide environmental education for children, using water- and energy-efficient agricultural solutions developed in Estonia.We are launching a new programme in Georgia to strengthen local non-profit organisations and civil society groups.In Jordan, we are supporting vulnerable families, particularly those headed by women. We are training both local women and women with a refugee background from Syria to grow food for their families in hydroponic greenhouses.
04/04/2025
Entrepreneurship and Inspiration: The Third Season of "Empowering Women" Has Concluded
Entrepreneurship and Inspiration: The Third Season of "Empowering Women" Has Concluded
The third season of the Empowering Women entrepreneurship programme, launched in autumn by the Estonian Refugee Council, Garage48, and Swedbank, has successfully concluded. A total of 26 female-led teams completed the programme, including four with refugee backgrounds.
03/04/2025
Estonian Refugee Council´s Exhibition on Displaced People Arrives in Tartu
Estonian Refugee Council´s Exhibition on Displaced People Arrives in Tartu
In collaboration with Tartu Oskar Luts City Library, the Estonian Refugee Council invites everyone to visit the portrait exhibition Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People, displayed on Vabaduse boulevard in Tartu from 3rd April. The exhibition showcases the stories of refugees living in Estonia.