This spring, Tallinn allocated a total of just over 400,000 euros in restoration grants to 36 applicants. The maximum grant amount was 35,000 euros, awarded to two projects.

Deputy Mayor Madle Lippus, responsible for this area, added that this year's grants included feedback from applicants for the first time. "Our goal is to offer a user-centered grant system in the future, transparent to all parties. The city's task is to comprehensively support owners in preserving heritage, providing both advice and financial support, as historically accurate restoration is often much more expensive than regular construction work."

This year, a total of 98 eligible applications were received, requesting a total of 1.72 million euros, of which 36 projects were funded. Grants were awarded to seven buildings in the Old Town, ten monuments outside the Old Town, and 19 buildings in heritage conservation areas. In addition to the two projects that received the maximum grant (35,000 euros), two projects received 30,000 euros each. The smallest grant awarded, at the specific request of the applicant, was 690 euros.

Carolin Pihlap, head of the Heritage Protection Department of the Tallinn Urban Planning Department, added that the volume of grants awarded has also changed compared to previous rounds. "While in previous years the evaluation committee reduced almost all grant amounts, this year 16 applications were fully funded, and in 20 cases, a reduction was recommended," she explained. "The most common applications were for the restoration of windows and doors, as well as roof restorations. This year, grants also supported the conservation of two previously unknown painted beam ceilings discovered during renovation work in the Old Town."

Before the spring application round, two information sessions were held for applicants, also broadcast on Facebook. Attendance was high both on-site and online. Additionally, an instructional video was created on how to submit an application through the self-service portal.

The purpose of the grant is to provide support to owners of protected buildings, to aid in the restoration and preservation of buildings and their details, and to maintain Tallinn's historically accurate environment, architecture, and use of materials. Restoration grants can be applied for the restoration of monuments, buildings in heritage conservation areas, and valuable buildings designated by planning.

For 2024, 450,000 euros have been allocated for restoration grants. Part of this amount has been reserved for the second half of the year. Grants are awarded for work that has not begun before the application is submitted and is completed by November 30 of the current year. More information can be found on the restoration grant website.

The photos depict works supported by the city's restoration grants in 2023: the restored pergola at Vana-Lõuna 27, the restored doors at Õle 1 and Linda 4, and the restored facades at J. Kunderi 36//Laulupeo 14.