When the first tranche of the €2.3 million fund became available in November 2007, over 120 applications for grants were submitted to fund manager Open Estonia Foundation. The great interest from the Estonian NGO community was met with the launch of a second call already in February 2008, which will remain open until 22 April 2008.
The 13 small and 14 large projects selected in the first call will be carried out by a vast array of organisations, including larger umbrella organisations, regional networks, and local NGOs in Estonia. Among the supported projects are activities aimed at improving communication between animal protection volunteers, a development programme for school student councils, and a project by Transparency International Estonia aimed at scrutinising the Estonian judicial system. Several community involvement projects will be carried out in Karksi, Ruhnu, Sõrandu, Lihula and Hiiumaa.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are supporting the Estonian NGO fund with €2.1 million, with the Estonian government providing the remaining ten percent of the fund. Over the coming three years small-scale grants will be provided to Estonian NGOs and social partners within the focus areas democracy and civil society, environment and sustainable development, and social integration and local development.