24/05/2022
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Born in Estonia and raised in Tallinn, 32-year-old Kirill is like a chameleon who can quickly adapt to different situations and organizations, and reorganize his work and activities if necessary. He started his journey as a volunteer in February and works exactly where he is most needed - whether answering the information line or providing group and individual consultations both at the Estonian Refugee Council office and across all Estonia.
Kirill has a master's degree in service and has worked mainly in the tourism sector. For more than 15 years, he has managed a hotel chain, coordinated and trained Estonian accommodation establishments as an employee of Booking.com, and managed an international travel agency. This jack of all trades is also one of the leaders of the Facebook group Ukraine's friends in Estonia and has lots of plans on how to help the victims of the war.
Having a successful career, volunteering is something Kiril does for his soul because he gets a lot of positive response. "Personal development, new acquaintances and the delicious food of the Estonian Refugee social café Siin ja Sääl is a small but important part of the satisfaction that comes from helping those in need," Kirill encourages everyone to volunteer.
28/03/2025
Elderly and Youth Project Helped Participants Adapt to a New Environment
Elderly and Youth Project Helped Participants Adapt to a New Environment
The project aimed at bringing together different generations while focusing on building and maintaining relationships between two different yet similarly positioned groups—elderly refugees and both refugee and local young people—has successfully concluded. Over eight months, participants met 12 times, engaging in activities such as visiting Kihnu Island, performing theatre, learning about artificial intelligence, preparing traditional Ukrainian cuisine, and much more.
24/03/2025
AI Training Course for Refugee Youth Launches in April
AI Training Course for Refugee Youth Launches in April
Registration has opened for the "Start Smart" entrepreneurship training, organised as part of the "UPBEAT" labour market programme. The aim of the training is to enhance the competitiveness of young people with refugee and migration backgrounds in entrepreneurship and the job market through learning about artificial intelligence.
21/03/2025
Estonian Refugee Council to Open a Representative Office in Syria
Estonian Refugee Council to Open a Representative Office in Syria
The Estonian Refugee Council is launching operations in Syria to support those affected by nearly 14 years of civil war and to contribute to the country’s reconstruction. The Syrian humanitarian crisis remains one of the largest in the world, with 16.7 million people—approximately three-quarters of the population—in need of various forms of humanitarian aid. The Estonian Refugee Council will assist both internally displaced people and those returning home after prolonged periods as refugees.
13/03/2025
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in February
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in February
We launched a donation campaign titled “Three Years Too Many” in February to support vulnerable people in frontline and hard-to-reach areas of Ukraine.We are about to launch four community councils in Armenia with the support of EU funding, enabling people with a refugee background to voice their concerns, advocate for solutions to their problems, and participate in decision-making processes that affect them. Additionally, we are establishing self-help groups to provide mental health support and promote independent living.In Jordan we are standing for the livelihood of vulnerable female-led households by training local women and women with refugee backgrounds from Syria to grow their own food in hydroponic greenhouses. The project has gained recognition as one of the best agricultural projects in Jordan by the country's Ministry of Agriculture.
11/03/2025
Estonian Refugee Council Supports the Development of More Inclusive Kindergartens in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn
Estonian Refugee Council Supports the Development of More Inclusive Kindergartens in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn
From October 2024 to January 2025, the Estonian Refugee Council provided guidance to kindergarten specialists in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn to support the creation of more inclusive learning and developmental environments. As part of the programme, experienced kindergarten educators offered advice on supporting children with a mother tongue other than Estonian in Estonian-speaking groups. The initiative was funded by the British Council in Estonia.
04/03/2025
U.S. foreign aid termination has a disastrous impact on millions of crisis-affected people around the world
U.S. foreign aid termination has a disastrous impact on millions of crisis-affected people around the world
Once the world’s leading humanitarian donor, the United States has now cut 90% of its foreign assistance. This decision has created a humanitarian funding crisis with devastating consequences around the world.
20/02/2025
The Estonian Refugee Council launched a donation campaign to support vulnerable people in Ukraine
The Estonian Refugee Council launched a donation campaign to support vulnerable people in Ukraine
The Estonian Refugee Council launched today a fundraising campaign 'Three Years Too Many,' which will run throughout February and March to raise donations for providing essential aid to vulnerable people in frontline areas.
13/02/2025
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in January
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in January
A new season of the entrepreneurship programme Boost will launch in Estonia at the end of February.In January, more than 400 refugees participated in adaptation support training sessions in Estonia, with over half of them – 224 – attending legal-themed training.With the help of EU funding, we are soon launching four community councils in Armenia to enable people with refugee backgrounds to express their concerns, advocate for solutions to their problems, and participate in decision-making processes that affect them. Additionally, we will form self-help groups for vulnerable refugees.
31/01/2025
Estonian Refugee Council's Overview of 2024
Estonian Refugee Council's Overview of 2024
In 2024, the Estonian Refugee Council operated in Ukraine, Estonia, Armenia, Georgia, Jordan, and Lebanon, providing immediate assistance in emergencies and supporting more than 69,000 crisis-affected people in rebuilding their lives.
17/01/2025
Estonian Refugee Council Supports Over 5,600 Ukrainian Families with Heating Aid This Winter
Estonian Refugee Council Supports Over 5,600 Ukrainian Families with Heating Aid This Winter
This winter, the Estonian Refugee Council is providing heating assistance to over 5,600 Ukrainian families living near the front lines. The support is directed towards people living in the regions most affected by the war, where ongoing attacks have continuously disrupted access to essential services.