Strategy 2024-2027
The Open Estonia Foundation (OEF) is an operational and grant-making non-governmental not-for-profit public benefit organization founded on April 19, 1990 with the goal to support the development of an open society. For more than 30 years, the foundation's activities have ranged from educational innovation to strengthening civil society and promoting open governance.
One of the most impactful initiatives of the OEF in recent years has been the management of the Active Citizens Fund, supported by the European Economic Area and Norway grants, in collaboration with the Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO). Hundreds of initiatives have received support to enhance civic engagement, strengthen participatory democracy, protect human rights, and empower vulnerable groups. We have continued to sustain important initiatives and created new ones. We organize our annual Open Society Forums, award the Concord award to promoters of open society, have organized discussions at the Opinion Festival for nearly 10 years, keep a close eye on developments in the East with the Voices of Freedom discussion series, and continue supporting free media in Belarus and Russia.
Vision
An open, democratic society where power is decentralized and human rights are upheld, with freedom of speech and personal integrity as the most important. In such a society, public debate is focused on improving the society, with proposals for change based on evidence. Public discussions are inclusive, allowing all members of society to participate. Policy-making is free from demagoguery and religious dogma, and the society values a sustainable and enduring living environment, human rights, participatory democracy, and civil society as the foundation of social capital.
Values
The core values guiding the foundation's objectives are human dignity, freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and the respect for human rights, including minority rights.
Mission
The mission of the Open Estonia Foundation is to contribute to the development of a vibrant democracy, which requires government accountability to its citizens. To achieve this, we implement initiatives that empower civil society, increase transparency and democracy in decision-making processes, foster meaningful and inclusive dialogue within society, promote freedom of speech, and shape a sustainable living environment.
How we work
As part of our strategic activities, the Open Estonia Foundation initiates and supports projects that help NGOs, grassroots movements, independent networks, and marginalized social groups make their voices heard, promote open governance, and effectively participate in policy processes and discussions. Central to the foundation's work are the advocacy efforts of civil society and the empowerment of nonprofit organizations.
We engage in international cooperation at the European level and beyond, sharing experiences with civil societies and countries in democratic transition. We place special emphasis on the EU's eastern and southern neighbors, support Ukraine, empower NGOs in Russia and other authoritarian regimes, and highlight the national self-awareness of indigenous peoples.
Strategic goals
From 2024 to 2027, the OEF will prioritize strengthening the resilience of civil society as a cohesive force in society and enhancing its role in promoting participatory democracy, civic engagement, human rights, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.
The OEF's activities will focus on the following areas:
civic engagement, volunteering, and participation in public life: promoting advocacy and civic awareness, involving citizens in driving change, and fostering an environment that supports the activities of civic organizations;
participation in public policies and open governance: shaping decision-making processes and developing and implementing new inclusive and transparent democratic models;
protection of freedom of expression and free media: supporting an informed and engaged citizenry, promoting reasoned public debate, and fostering a culture of constructive dialogue;
raising awareness and capacity for a sustainable and enduring living environment: including climate change and strategies for adaptation.
Cooperation
We develop partnerships with other organizations, such as think-tanks, civic groups, social movements, other foundations, socially responsible entrepreneurs and public authorities. OEF is a founding member of the Estonian Network of Non-Profit Organizations (NENO), a long-term member of the European Foundation Centre (EFC), now Philea, and the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS). The OEF is also the Estonian partner for Transnational Giving Europe, a network created to develop philantropy across Europe.
These partnerships help to build a wider constituency for our initiatives, and spread new ideas through our partners’ networks as well as our own. While we focus on the Estonian society, we also work together with our partners at the European and international level, including EU Eastern neighbours, Russia and other countries with emerging civil societies.
Board and management
The Open Estonia Foundation is governed by a Board that has a maximum of eleven members whose mandate lasts for four years. The members of the Board come from a variety of backgrounds relevant to the Foundation’s work. New members are selected by the incumbent Board members by a consensus vote. In other cases the Board takes its decisions by a majority vote. The Board sets the Foundation’s policies related to management, governance, investment and grant-making practices. It is also responsible for the approval of all the Foundation’s grants. The Executive Director ensures the implementation of the strategy and policies approved by the Board, and carries out the day-to-day activities together with the Foundation's staff.
Communication and dissemination of information
The Foundation works with newspapers, television and radio broadcasters and online media to give its projects a greater impact. We distribute electronic annual reports and weekly newsletters, produce audio-visual materials and communicate via our website and social media.
Policies
OEF follows the good practice of fundraising. People acting on the Foundation’s behalf should aim to be honest and ethical in their dealings with each other, community members, grantees, partners, suppliers and the public. The Foundation does not practice or tolerate discrimination on the basis of place of origin, ethnicity, citizenship, gender, age, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, family relationship or economic or medical status. The Foundation aims to treat all people with respect, and to foster a productive environment free of harassment, intimidation and discrimination. The Board, staff and experts have a duty to follow the Foundation’s conflict of interest policy, which is intended to permit the Foundation to identify, evaluate, and address any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest.
Financial governance
The financial governance of the Foundation is subject to strict control. The Board bears the final responsibility for the budget and accounts, which are published in our annual report each year. The Board annually designates an independent auditor responsible for performing an audit of the Foundation’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and rendering an opinion thereupon.