Introduction OEF 1990-2000 OEF Grants Education, Youth Programs Publishing Public Health Arts and Culture Public Policy Program Civil Society Events of OEF's Tenth Anniversary Law East-East BAPP Other OEF in Figures Budget, Project Grants and Scholarships Balance Statement Auditor's Report OEF Staff OEF Contact Information On 19 April 2002 the flagship of the third sector in society The past year was a year of rearrangements for the OEF At the -the Open Estonia Foundation passed the milestone of beginning of the year George Soros, the founder of the foundation, ten years of service. This period of time, almost minute in intended to close it after ten years of functioning, basing his comparison with similar organisations in stable decision on the economic progress of Estonia. After visiting democracies, has been long enough for Estonia: we have Estonia he changed his plans and decided, together with the lived under the protection of our own constitution for OEF's Board and management, that the foundation must continue even a shorter period. During the past years our hopes its activities in three main areas: the rebuilding/construction of a and expectations have been quite high. The Open modern civil society (the Baltic-American Partnership program, Estonia Foundation has supported those values without yearly budget of over 6 million kroons), European integration which an open civil society is unthinkable. In the same (OEF's European Program, 2.5 million kroons) and contacts with way we have tried to stand for independent and Central and Eastern Europe (East-Eeast Program, educated individuals who have a wider understanding of 1.5 million kroons). At the same time the foundation will continue the world and are ready to help to develop a suitable mediating programs and the training opportunities of other parts living environment which takes into account of Soros's open society support foundation network the needs of others. (for example the Salzburg seminars for medical personnel, women's programs and others). In order to implement them, The Open Estonia Foundation has not functioned the OEF will initiate projects and give support to non-profit for society, but with society, hoping to influence and organisations, educational initiatives and individuals. improve it. But 2000 was also a year of change for the foundation that had so far mostly been one step ahead But even the majority of those organisations that the OEF has of the state, helping and supporting in areas which the stopped supporting continue to live independently as separate state had not yet reached, and asking a lot of questions. unions or through the support of other organisations. For example, The number of problems has not diminished, but their Open Estonian Book, a series of translations of the major philo­ nature has changed. In 2000 the Open Estonia sophical works of the last century will be partially supported by Foundation changed from being a supporter of projects Kultuurkapital (Cultural Endowment of Estonia), distribution of and giver of scholarships into an institution that scholarships of Central-European University will be organised by participates successfully in Estonia's speedy return to Tartu University European College, and local internet points will the level of western Europe, The strategic direction of be run by local governments. The brainchild of supporters of Estonia for the near future is to become a member of administration policy, Praxis, a center for political research, the European Union. Nevertheless, this circumstance was established during the summer. should not prevent us from considering, with the necessary thoroughness, for whom the European Union In 2000 OEF initiated and supported projects with a combined is meant and why it exists. One possible way to join in budget of over 31 million kroons. The foundation primarily the discussion in the coming years is the foundation's supported education, children and youth projects, which cost "European Program". The programs launched for almost 10 million kroons. Almost 4 million was given to medicine support of civil society, the Baltic-American Partnership and health care. In addition to other projects, the Baltic-American Program and East-Eeast Program, will continue with Partnership program helped to establish nine local non-profit their well-known quality. organisation support centers and initiated the publishing of a civil society monthly, Foorum (Forum). In 2000 a center of political research, Praxis, started its activities. Hopefully the operation of this new center As the major event of the year, Open Society Forum, at which will become as successful and, when fully established, prominent public figures discussed the relationships of public as well regarded by the Estonian society as the Open policy and the civil society, was held for the fifth time. Estonia Foundation has been in carrying out the principles of an open society. Although OEF is smaller in terms of the number of programs than years ago, we may state with pride that we have helped to develop With best wishes, strong civic organisations and their networks. With these, and with many other organisations, entrepreneurs and state institutions, we will certainly be able to do much more to improve Estonian society. Peep Pruks Chairman of the Board of the Open Estonia Foundation Mall Hellam Executive Director of the Open Estonia Foundation e s t o n i a foundation 2000 Open Estonia Foundation 1990-2000 Compiled by Siim Pede 1989 • George Soros meets the Estonian members of the USSR's parliament in Moscow; an idea to establish a foundation in Estonia in support of an open society is conceived 1990 • The Open Estonia Foundation is founded on April 19 • With the support of the Foundation, an Educational Advising Center in Tartu is established at the Tartu University library • First grant recipients participate in the USA agricultural educational program, MAST/PART 1991 • First grant recipients go to Oxford and Cambridge Universities with the support of the Foundation • On the initiative and with the support of OEF, the Center of Estonian Foundations is established (currently the Network of Estonian Non-profit Organisations NENO) • First Estonian students go to Central European University • In collaboration with National Forum Foundation, the first grant recipients go to the USA to study parliamentary work, managing business enterprises and free media. 1992 • OEF's Independence Day Award is established to recognise the lifelong work of those who, in the course of years, had advanced life in Estonia and retained an independence of spirit. The first nominee is linguist Pent Nurmekund • OEF supports the launching of the Estonian academic data network. As a result of the project, managed by Jaak Lippmaa, the first two data channels connecting Estonia with the internet are established between Tallinn and Stockholm and Tartu and Stockholm • OEF establishes Soros Center for Contemporary Arts in Estonia and international economic education program, Junior Achieve­ ment Estonian Center • OEF launches a series of surveys to determine the attitude of non-Estonians towards the Estonian Republic • OEF starts to mediate Edmund S. Muskie's Fellowship Program at USA universities and collaborates with Bentley College to enable Estonian students of economics to receive high-quality advanced training 1993 • OEF launches the project of philosophical books in translation - Open Estonia Book. The first book to be published is Bertrand Russell's Essays • By 1993 OEF mediates 13 international scholarship programs in Great Britain, the USA and Europe • With the financial backing of George Soros, an international foundation of science is established which provides support for projects and travel costs also for Estonian scientists • OEF's Independence Day Award is given to Villem Raam 1994 • OEF launches a project to publish law textbooks in Estonian • On the initiative and with the support of OEF the innovative educational reform movement, "Excellence in School Improvement", begins • On the initiative and with the support of OEF a development program for kindergartens all over Estonia, "Step by Step", is launched • With the support of OEF, the medical information system, Medinet, is established • OEF's Independence Day Awards are given to Endel Annus, Hugo Lepnurm and Rein Sepp 1995 • With the support of OEF, a program of automatisation of Estonian libraries is started • OEF organises an international seminar of philanthropy in Tallinn • OEF begins collaboration with the foundation of Belgian King Baudouin to launch a wide integration program for minorities • Fifth anniversary of OEF; George Soros is also in Estonia - OEF's Independence Day Awards are given to Olga Terri, Oskar Kuningas and Harri Kruuse 1996 • OEF decides to celebrate the foundation's anniversary every year with forums discussing topics significant for the development of an open society. The first forum on 19 April 1996 discusses the concept of an open society • OEF supports the project of genetics technology at Tartu University • OEF organises the international yearly Interphil conference "Philanthropy and Business" in Tallinn • OEF establishes, as a part of the Internet development program, the tradition of an internet homepage competition • OEF's Independence Day Awards are given to Linda Viiding, Ants Viires and Aarne Vinkel 1997 • Second Open Society Forum, "Tolerance" • By 1997 OEF mediates 26 international scholarship programs • OEF organises the European members' seminar