The Estonian Refugee Council supports the self-sufficiency of women-led households in vulnerable situations in Jordan through a training programme that provides new knowledge and practical skills for growing food and generating income. This June, the first ten women from Syria completed hydroponics training and will now be able to deliver similar training within their communities, thereby increasing knowledge of water-efficient agriculture across the region.

The Estonian Refugee Council, Estonian Human Rights Centre and the Office of the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner invite everyone to join discussions on racism in Estonia at this year’s Opinion Festival. The conversation "I’m not a racist, but…" – real stories from Estonia takes place on Friday, 8 August at 16:00 on the Security stage. On 9 August at 18:30 on the Foreign Policy stage, Estonian Refugee Council’s Director Eero Janson will take part in the panel More crises, less funding, which looks at how cuts to humanitarian aid and development cooperation budgets affect those in need.

This year at the Arvamusfestival (Opinion Festival), in cooperation with the Office of the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner and the Estonian Human Rights Centre, we are organising a discussion on racism titled I’m not a racist, but…, which will focus on real-life stories from Estonia. Come listen and reflect with us on August 8 from 16:00–17:30 at the Security Area on Paide Vallimägi. In addition, the director of the Estonian Refugee Council, Eero Janson, will take part in a foreign policy discussion titled More Crises, Less Money on August 9.A new programme has been launched in Estonia to support Ukrainian refugee youth in language learning and integration. Read more on Estonian Refugee Council’s website. In Ukraine, we have started a new entrepreneurship programme in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, Dnipro, and Kharkiv regions to help local people rebuild their lives and become more self-reliant.In June, we visited the Tavush region in Armenia with experts from the Estonian University of Life Sciences to help local schools adopt environmentally friendly agricultural practices such as hydroponics and composting.In Jordan, ten women completed a training course in June aimed at spreading knowledge of water-efficient farming methods throughout the region.We published our 2024 annual report in June. Last year, our support reached more than 69,000 people. Read more in the Estonian Refugee Council’s annual report.

ERC has published its 2024 annual report, summarising the key activities of the past year. In 2024, the organisation reached over 69,000 people, providing immediate assistance in crisis situations and supporting long-term recovery.

Täna, rahvusvahelisel pagulaspäeval korraldas Eesti Pagulasabi Tallinnas, Tondiraba pargis tegevusterohke noorteürituse, et avaldada toetust neile, kes on pidanud oma kodud jätma ja aidata märgata pagulastaustaga inimesi meie ümber. 

Eesti Pagulasabi, in cooperation with Tallinn University and the Polish organisation Dobra Fabryka, has launched a programme aimed at supporting the integration of young people with a refugee background. The goal is to strengthen their language skills, support their entry into the labour market, facilitate social integration, and promote future independence.

On 20 June, we’re hosting a youth-focused event in Tondiraba Park to mark World Refugee Day – a celebration of courage, resilience, and community. Find out more on our website or join via Facebook.Our mental health hotline was relaunched to support Ukrainians in Ukraine, Estonia, and beyond, helping people cope with the psychological toll of the war.A new programme has been launched to support Ukrainian refugee youth in Estonia with language learning and integration.A new programme is starting in Estonia to strengthen the capacity of local governments in matters related to migration and integration.In Armenia, last week experts from the Estonian University of Life Sciences visited Tavush to provide local schools with practical training in hydroponics and composting.In Georgia, we continue to support Ukrainian refugees with cash-based assistance to help them meet daily needs and build resilience.In Jordan, women-led community organisations completed the first stage of hydroponics training.New global Complaints and Feedback Mechanism launched by the Estonian Refugee Council allows beneficiaries, partners, and staff to submit questions, complaints, or feedback safely and confidentially.

The second season of the Estonian Refugee Council’s Boost entrepreneurship programme has successfully come to an end. The programme supported people with a refugee background in developing or relaunching their existing businesses. A total of 24 teams from across Estonia took part.

In cooperation with the Ukrainian National Psychological Association, the Estonian Refugee Council has relaunched its helpline, which provides mental health support to Ukrainians living in Ukraine or displaced across Europe due to the war. With funding from ESTDEV, support is now available in a total of 21 European countries.

On 20 June, from 2 to 5 p.m., Estonian Refugee Council will celebrate World Refugee Day in Tondiraba Park, Tallinn, with a vibrant youth event in support of all refugees who have been forced to leave their homes.