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Description
NGO Oma Tuba is a feminist organization that aims to bring about positive change in society on issues related to women, sexual and gender minorities, mainly through communication, events and activism. Since 2015, the NGO runs the independent feminist web gender equality. Feministeerium works to ensure that the feminist perspective is consistently prominent in Estonia and that the feminist movement is strong. With the ACF support Oma Tuba works to achieve its goals through advocacy and communication in the areas of gender equality, equal treatment and human rights, as well as through the feminist community, giving them a platform and a voice. The aim of its advocacy efforts is to ensure that the rights of women and gender minorities are taken into account in policy development. In addition, Oma Tuba works to improve its financial viability by developing a sound business plan and diversification of its funding.
Summary of project results
The aim of the 2-year organizational grant was to support Feministeerium’s strategic activities in bringing gender equality issues to the forefront of public discussion, strengthening the feminist community, enhancing advocacy capacity, and developing the organization. The project sought to drive change and progress in four key areas: communication, community empowerment, advocacy, and organizational development.
The broader strategic objectives were:
- Establishing gender equality as a lasting societal value.
- Strengthening the feminist movement by fostering active engagement, coalition-building, and a clear understanding of individual roles in driving social change.
- Improving the safety, economic conditions, social status, and civic participation of women and gender minorities.
- Ensuring that the organization operates efficiently, creatively, and professionally.
By addressing these goals, the project aimed to create a lasting impact on public discourse, advocacy efforts, and community engagement while reinforcing Feministeerium’s sustainability and effectiveness.
The project focused on promoting gender equality through effective communication and advocacy. The main activities included:
Media Outreach and Public Engagement
Feministeerium saw 16 of its articles republished in mainstream media, with significant growth in social media engagement. Instagram followers increased from 1,800 in 2021 to 4,200 in 2024, while newsletter subscribers doubled from 180 to 390. Communication channels expanded with the addition of Russian-language Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts. Media presence improved with the reinstatement of a public contact number, leading to multiple TV and radio interviews. Feministeerium made 47 public appearances and media comments, with an additional 26 mentions in various publications and interviews. In 2024, an interactive Feminism ABC training module was launched on the website. The publication output exceeded expectations, with 264 articles published (142 in 2022 and 122 in 2023), including increased Russian-language content. Reader interaction grew through monthly nominations and voting for newsletter topics.
Community Empowerment and Engagement
Over the course of the project, 91 contributing authors and 39 illustrators received paid fees. The organization produced 22 podcast episodes between 2022 and 2023 and organized two creative contests, which resulted in three academic papers and 46 graphic designs. A total of 31 community events were held, attracting 438 participants, alongside the Tallinn Feminist Forum, which brought together 150 attendees. The focus shifted from small community events to strategic advocacy, culminating in the first Feminist Forum held simultaneously in Tallinn and Tartu, with over 150 participants. A total of 19 volunteers were engaged, including a full-time Erasmus+ intern.
Advocacy for Women''s and Minority Rights
Feministeerium played a key role in national discussions on consent legislation, successfully influencing political party programs and coalition agreements in 2023. Strategic partnerships were established with human rights organizations, legal experts, and policymakers. Media engagement was enhanced through the implementation of a dedicated advocacy media strategy and action plan.
Organizational Development and Sustainability
Financial challenges were addressed through improved financial consulting, organizational restructuring, revised employment contracts, and the development of a cross-project budget document. Grant-writing capacity was strengthened by engaging expert support for funding applications. A sustainable donation system and online store were developed, incorporating environmentally friendly and ethical production practices. A new website was launched to improve donation processes, online store functionality, and advocacy communication. Internal training efforts were enhanced, including media literacy and advocacy courses, with ongoing monthly training sessions planned for 2024. Organizational security and documentation processes were improved. Strategic planning was reprioritized, shifting focus from a formal business plan to collaboration with the Estonian Academy of Arts on community-driven design solutions.
Overall, the project contributed to strengthening feminist advocacy, expanding community engagement, and improving the organization’s sustainability through strategic growth and operational improvements.
The operational support provided by the project has been crucial for Feministeerium’s activities, particularly in strengthening advocacy capacity and advancing the discussion on consent laws initiated by the ACF project “My Body, My Choice.” Without this support, implementing these topics in society with such a comprehensive communication strategy would not have been possible. The flexibility of operational funding allowed Feministeerium, which primarily operates on a project basis, to respond quickly to emerging social issues. It enabled the amplification of communication efforts by facilitating additional translations and visual materials, improving accessibility, and systematically integrating nine years of archived materials into the website’s development.
The project’s long-term impact is significant, as it has laid the groundwork for continued efforts beyond the official project period. Many of the advocacy initiatives required extensive planning, with some waiting on research results from partners before moving forward. Additionally, the mapping of funding opportunities and the development of new projects to further enhance capacity will yield measurable results in the coming years.
The true value of this support will become evident in the long run, as its effects on Feministeerium’s sustainability and impact continue to unfold. Subjectively, Feministeerium considers this to be the most effective support it has received to date, with an immeasurable impact on its capacity and a strong amplification of its activities.