State supports organization of integration camps for young people from Estonia, Ukraine

TALLINN - Starting from May 30, all schools, hobby schools, youth work and hobby activities providers and support organizations for war refugees in Estonia will be able to apply for grants to organize camps for young people from Estonia and Ukraine this summer.

The camps are intended to create opportunities for language learning, communication and joint activities, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research said on Thursday.

According to Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna, the youth camps will allow young people from Ukraine to spend meaningful free time with Estonian peers, learn the Estonian language and get to know each other's cultural space.

"Our aim is to support children and young people from Ukraine so that they can continue their daily lives and education in safety here," Kersna said. "Youth camps are definitely a good opportunity to make new friends and practice Estonian language, so that they can continue their studies in Estonian schools in the autumn." 

Applications for grants can be submitted from May 30 to June 17 at https://toetused.kul.ee/. The grants can be used until Oct. 30.  

The camps must be organized either as camps with overnight accommodation lasting from seven to 14 days or as day camps lasting from five to 14 days. The organizer of the camp must involve young people from Ukraine and 30-50 percent of young people of ages 7-19 having a good command of Estonian.

The organizers of the camps commit to offer opportunities for integrated learning of the Estonian language through play and for creating an Estonian-speaking communication environment; support for young people from Ukraine to establish social relations with their Estonian peers; support for the integration of young people from Ukraine into Estonian society by introducing the Estonian language and culture; support for the mental health of the young people, and various recreational activities. The organizer of the camp may charge participants a registration fee of up to 10 euros.

The government has allocated up to 2.8 million euros under the supplementary budget for the organization of summer youth camps.