Estonian Refugee Council earns European Commission's top humanitarian collaboration award
The Estonian Refugee Council, the largest humanitarian organization in the Baltics, has been recognised as a trusted and key partner in humanitarian aid within the EU framework. The European Commission has awarded the organisation its highest-level humanitarian partnership certificate, making it the only humanitarian organisation in the Baltic States and Poland with this status [1][2][5].
This prestigious recognition opens up significant opportunities for the Estonian Refugee Council. With this certification, the organisation gains access to enhanced cooperation and partnership with the European Union and its humanitarian aid mechanisms. This increased eligibility for EU funding will enable the council to be involved in major EU humanitarian projects and initiatives, broadening its impact on refugee and humanitarian issues [1][5].
The certification also strengthens the Estonian Refugee Council's voice within European humanitarian networks, allowing it to influence policy, program design, and regional coordination. Additionally, the new partnership enables the council to expand its activities and operations more effectively across countries and regions supported by EU humanitarian aid frameworks [1][5].
To achieve this honour, the Estonian Refugee Council had to meet strict criteria set by the European Commission. These include consistent adherence to humanitarian principles, proven experience in the humanitarian field, and strong financial and management capacity standards [6].
Eero Janson, the Director of the Estonian Refugee Council, stated that achieving the highest-level partnership is an important recognition of the organisation's work [3]. The new partnership also opens up opportunities to expand the organisation's activities and reach more people in need [7].
Membership in the ECHO partner network [8] strengthens an organisation's role at regional and international levels. Programme partnership [9] is the European Commission's highest form of cooperation in the provision of humanitarian aid. The certificate recognises the organisation's capacity to provide high-quality, long-term assistance in line with international standards [10].
The Estonian Refugee Council operates in six countries: Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, and Ukraine [11]. It provides immediate assistance in emergencies and supports crisis-affected people in rebuilding their lives [4]. The new partnership allows for cooperation on a broader scale and in various fields [7].
The certificate is valid for the entire budgetary period, enabling multi-annual strategic cooperation with the European Union [12]. Membership in the ECHO partner network also allows organisations to apply for EU humanitarian funding [8].
Donations can be made to support the Estonian Refugee Council's critical aid efforts via its website [13]. As a rights-based humanitarian organisation, the council is committed to upholding the dignity and rights of those it serves.
[1] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/news/eur-1-billion-funding-for-humanitarian-aid-in-2022 [2] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/news/eur-1-1-billion-funding-for-humanitarian-aid-in-2021 [3] https://www.err.ee/1113777/estonian-refugee-council-becomes-highest-level-eu-partner-in-humanitarian-aid [4] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid [5] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/news/estonian-refugee-council-becomes-highest-level-eu-partner-in-humanitarian-aid [5] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/news/estonian-refugee-council-becomes-highest-level-eu-partner-in-humanitarian-aid [6] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid/partnerships [7] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/news/estonian-refugee-council-becomes-highest-level-eu-partner-in-humanitarian-aid [8] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid/partnerships [9] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid/partnerships [10] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid/partnerships [11] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid [12] https://www.echodirectorate.eu/what-we-do/humanitarian-aid/partnerships [13] https://www.refugeecouncil.ee/en/support-us/donate
- The new partnership with the European Union will empower the Estonian Refugee Council to expand its health-and-wellness initiatives for crisis-affected people, aiming to support their physical and mental well-being within EU-funded humanitarian projects across various countries.
- As the Estonian Refugee Council gains increased eligibility for EU funding, they areexpected to leverage this opportunity to invest in science-based interventions, bolstering the quality and effectiveness of their health-and-wellness services provided in emergencies and the rebuilding of affected communities.
