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Description
The aim of the project is to develop the capacity of the Domus Dorpatensis Foundation for Science and Liberal Arts (hereinafter DD) to provide professional training to Estonian NGOs in order to improve their ability to respond to problems for which they are not fully qualified. The program also helps to raise the next generation of NGO activists among high school students thanks to an online elective course (e.g. Edumus School platform). During the project, 4 DD employees follow a comprehensive training program for trainers. The program also develops one freelance training course, one high school online course, and the DD''s internal training system (according to the concept of a learning organization) to ensure the ability to train on new topics in the future as well. With the project, the DD will be able to pilot NGO training in seven or eight NGOs per year (against three before the project) and to provide online courses to 30 or 40 high school youth (against 20 before the project). The social entrepreneurship revenues earned from these services will allow the training activities to continue after the end of the project.
Summary of project results
The primary goal of the project was to enhance the professional training capacity of the DD Foundation, enabling it to provide high-quality and impactful training programs that strengthen the capacity of Estonia’s civil society and support its future development. Improved training capabilities allow the foundation to participate in larger training procurements and projects, systematically sharing its extensive consultancy experience and expertise in democracy and civic education with the nonprofit sector.
The project aimed to:
- Strengthen the foundation’s professional training capacity by developing the training skills of its employees.
- Improve the capacity of Estonian nonprofit organizations and engage more high school students in civic society topics through the development and piloting of new training programs.
- Ensure the sustainability of training capacity within the organization by implementing learning organization mechanisms, including an internal training system.
Acquisition of Professional Training Skills
Innowise Training and Development Center conducted a six-month training program for five DD Foundation employees, equipping them with fundamental skills in adult education. Participants learned the principles of andragogy, developed outcome-based curricula, enhanced their communication and presentation skills, explored new teaching methods, and improved their ability to create learning materials. As a result, the foundation’s capacity to design and deliver high-quality training programs for nonprofit organizations was significantly strengthened.
Digital Work Management Training for Nonprofits
Based on input gathered from various sources regarding the development needs of Estonian nonprofits, the foundation created a new training program focused on improving digital work management capabilities. The first training was offered as a free pilot, attracting significant interest and confirming the relevance of the chosen topic.
The three-day pilot training was highly practical, helping participants clarify their hybrid work environment needs and goals, familiarize themselves with various digital tools, develop a plan for improving their work processes, and establish initial steps for implementation. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly all participants rating the training topics as “very useful” or “rather useful,” and the digital worksheets receiving particular praise.
Online Democracy Education Course for High School Students
The course aimed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the development, evolution, and influencing factors of democracy, along with basic skills to analyze social phenomena through different societal theories. Participants also gained an understanding of key democratic principles, governance models, the role of civil society, and methods for strengthening democracy.
As a result of the project:
- A comprehensive online course on democracy and society, including supplementary materials (slides, worksheets, etc.), was developed. This course can be used in whole or in part for future democracy-related training sessions for youth.
- High school students who participated in the course improved their understanding of democracy, society, and civil society.
- A five-video short course on democracy was published on YouTube, making key concepts accessible to a broader audience. The videos have already accumulated over 500 views and are expected to inspire some viewers to engage in nonprofit activities.
Implementation of Learning Organization Mechanisms Within DD and Dissemination Among Nonprofits
To ensure the sustainability of the foundation’s training capacity, the project focused on implementing a learning organization approach within DD. This involved studying the learning organization concept, adapting it to the foundation’s needs, and developing a model with clear agreements and principles for fostering professional development and knowledge transfer within the organization. The approach was also introduced to other nonprofit organizations to encourage broader adoption.
As a result of the project’s activities, DD Foundation has significantly improved its ability to design and deliver training programs on various topics, in different formats (both in-person and online, with practical and theoretical approaches), and for diverse target groups (including nonprofits and high school students, among others). Additionally, the organization has strengthened its capacity to ensure the sustainability and transfer of knowledge within both its training activities and the organization as a whole.
Key Developments:
- Enhanced Training Capacity: DD Foundation is now capable of providing high-quality training on a wide range of topics, including new subject areas. Previously, the foundation could identify training needs through its consultancy work with organizations but was not always able to fully address them. Now, it can not only recognize training needs but also develop and deliver effective training programs that better support nonprofits in their capacity-building efforts. Additionally, the increased training competence and the presence of certified trainers allow the foundation to compete in tenders that require higher qualifications.
- Implementation of the Learning Organization Concept: The development of an internal training system based on the learning organization approach has significantly improved DD Foundation’s operational efficiency, internal learning culture, and external training methodologies. The organization has become more aware of different learning methods and proactively creates opportunities for knowledge sharing. This has strengthened its resilience by ensuring that essential consultancy approaches are well-documented, accessible to all employees, and systematically transferred to new team members. Comprehensive guidelines and work instructions have also been developed to support this process.
- Recognition as a Key Partner in Democracy Education: DD Foundation has established itself as a valued partner in democracy education. Organizations such as the Edumus platform, partner schools, and other educational institutions have expressed interest in continuing collaboration.