The Estonian Refugee Council received the European Commission’s highest-level humanitarian partnership certificate

14/08/2025
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The Estonian Refugee Council has become the only humanitarian organisation in the Baltic States and Poland to hold the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) programme partnership certificate for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The certificate recognises the organisation’s capacity to provide high-quality, long-term assistance in line with international standards. Programme partnership is the European Commission’s highest form of cooperation in the provision of humanitarian aid and enables multi-annual strategic cooperation with the European Union. Previously, the Estonian Refugee Council held the ECHO niche partnership certificate, which allowed cooperation on a limited scale and in specific fields.

“Achieving the highest-level partnership is an important recognition of the Estonian Refugee Council’s work so far and opens up new opportunities to expand our activities and reach even more people in need. It is clear proof that an organisation from small Estonia can meet the strictest international requirements and be a trusted partner in major humanitarian operations. A country that once received humanitarian aid has now become an innovative and value-based provider of humanitarian aid,” said the  Director of Estonian Refugee Council, Eero Janson.

The European Commission awards the certificate to NGOs that meet strict criteria, including consistent adherence to humanitarian principles, proven experience in the humanitarian field, and strong financial and management capacity standards. To obtain the certificate, the Estonian Refugee Council underwent a thorough audit process in early 2025.

The certificate is granted by the European Commission for the entire budgetary period, confirming the organisation’s compliance with the European Union’s humanitarian partnership requirements.

The ECHO partner network comprises nearly 200 international NGOs. Membership of this network entitles organisations to apply for EU humanitarian funding, strengthen their role at regional and international levels, and participate in joint projects that help deliver humanitarian assistance to those in need in crisis areas.

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