The Integration Foundation is once again looking for proposals on who among Estonian people and organisations should be awarded for their activities promoting integration. Candidates for the integration awards can be submitted in four categories until 25 September 2025.
This year, the Integration Foundation and the Ministry of Culture will be giving awards to people and organisations who promote integration for the 26th time.
‘Societies are strengthened by shared values and a sense of belonging, which arise through cooperation and mutual understanding. Integration awards are a recognition of people who help to enhance our shared values and sense of belonging,’ said Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture.
Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation, invites people to submit candidates from different areas of life. ‘There are many people around us who contribute to successful integration through their actions and dedication. With the integration awards, we recognise both individuals and organisations who help to increase mutual understanding and cooperation in our society,’ said Moskovtsev.
We welcome proposals for candidates for integration awards in four categories:
> Building Blocks of Integration – raising awareness of the cultural diversity of Estonia and the targeted long-term activities to promote integration
> Bridgebuilder of the Year – implementation of cooperation projects aimed at residents whose first language is not Estonian
> Spark of the Year – outstanding activities of a person or organisation in the field of integration
> Messenger of the Year – shaping attitudes supporting integration through the media
Individuals or organisations from various fields of activity can be nominated for activities carried out between 1 September 2024 and 31 December 2025. There is no time limit for the Building Blocks of Integration Award and the Special Award for the Cultural Diversity Year. The competition is not open to self-nominations or nominations from candidates who have received an integration award in the last three years.
The best among all candidates will be selected by a panel of experts in the field. Each of the award winners will receive a €1,000 prize. Winners will be awarded by Minister of Culture Heidy Purga at a ceremony on 1 December 2025 in Tallinn.
Proposals for the candidates for the Integration Awards can be submitted until 25 September 2025. The relevant form and other information can be found at this link.
The winners of the integration awards of the last three years:
> Building Blocks of Integration: 2024 – Aleksandr Dusman, 2023 – Pavel Ivanov, 2022 – Jelena Skulskaja and Marju Lauristin
> Bridgebuilder of the Year: 2024 – Hirvo Surva and the Estonian Music Council, 2023 – Maria Sakarias, 2022 – Helen Sildna
> Spark of the Year: 2024 – Alika Milova, 2023 – Kirill Badikin, 2022 – Ukrainian School of Tallinn Lilleküla Gymnasium
> Messenger of the Year: 2024 – The team of ETV+ Keeleveski programme, 2023 – Editorial team of Raadio 4, 2022 – The public relations department of the Estonian National Museum
