Tallinn launches a new cooperation program to support Ukraine
In 2025, the City of Tallinn will implement a dedicated development cooperation program for Ukrainian cities for the first time. The program includes both humanitarian aid and specific cooperation projects aimed at assisting Ukrainian municipalities in preparing for European Union membership and addressing key areas such as waste management.
Tallinn’s Mayor, Jevgeni Ossinovski, emphasized that alongside the humanitarian aid Tallinn has provided since the start of the war, systematic contributions to Ukraine’s reconstruction through development cooperation are becoming increasingly important. “The task of rebuilding Ukraine is so massive that, in addition to efforts at the international and national levels, municipalities also have a crucial role to play,” the mayor stated. “I believe it is vital for Tallinn to increase its support for Ukraine now, at a time when international backing has become less certain.”The city has allocated €200,000 in its budget for the development cooperation program. An appointed coordinator will oversee the program’s planning and implementation. Starting January 13, Riina Kuusik-Rajasaar, an experienced professional in international humanitarian aid and development cooperation, assumed the role of coordinator. Kuusik-Rajasaar is a co-founder of Estonia’s two largest aid organizations and has led education and livelihood programs in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Afghanistan. She has worked with Ukrainian partners since 2014, when she co-initiated the Estonian civil society project "For Ukraine!"
“Tallinn, as an innovative and sustainable city, has the opportunity to share its valuable knowledge and experience with Ukrainian municipalities. I am confident that through this cooperation program, we can support Ukrainians’ admirable resilience, contribute to community recovery, and be a strong partner both in Estonia and internationally,” said Kuusik-Rajasaar.
The program will be developed in collaboration with Estonian and international partners, tailored to the specific needs of Ukrainian municipalities. Several meetings are planned in the coming weeks, including with representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy, to identify areas of cooperation. The program will also align with ongoing activities by other Estonian stakeholders.
Between 2022 and 2024, Tallinn has provided Ukraine with essential goods, food aid, computers, buses, ambulances, and medical equipment. The city has also offered rehabilitation opportunities for Ukrainian soldiers, organized summer camps for Ukrainian children, and supported Ukrainian cities in preparing for EU membership through training and study visits to Tallinn.