ESTDEV in EU Eastern Neighbourhood
ESTDEV’s program implementation in EU Eastern Neighbourhood countries and the Balkans is based on the objectives of the Estonian Foreign Policy Strategy 2030, the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Program 2024–2030, and country strategies. In 2021, projects with Estonian participation were implemented in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and North Macedonia. In addition to the state of Estonia, the largest donors were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, the European Commission and the United Nations Project Services Organization (UNOPS).
It has long been an important part of Estonia’s foreign policy to support the European Union’s Eastern Neighbourhood. Estonia has encouraged the Eastern Neighbourhood right to make their own foreign policy choices, defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the partners and promoted their integration into the European Union. Estonia’s primary interest in the European Union’s Eastern neighbourhood is to promote a secure and economically successful region based on the rule of law and its gradual integration into the EU. Estonia is ready to continue to contribute to the achievement of the Eastern Neighbourhoods’ development goals with its know-how and financial resources.
Priorities by country
- Ukraine – supporting good governance, including the fight against corruption and the development of secure e-solutions, strengthening independent media, and promoting small businesses.
- Georgia – supporting good governance and the development of democracy.
- Armenia – supporting good governance and the development of democracy.
- Moldova – supporting good governance and the development of democracy.
EU Eastern Neighbourhood project portfolio
As of September 1, 2022, ESTDEV’s project portfolio in the Eastern Neighbourhood countries and the Balkans has 55 projects, totaling 8.6 million euros. Of these, 47 projects are implemented by Estonian implementation partners, and 8 projects are managed by ESTDEV.