Country Office Estonia

Who we are and what we do

The Estonian country office of DBJW works diligently to promote cultural and social exchange between Germany, Latvia and Lithuania, with the German language being our common denominator. We organize our unique monthly event "Digi Breakfast", which combines a delicious breakfast with interesting lectures from people from very different backgrounds. The word "Digi" means that participants can join the event via Zoom, no matter where they are. We also work with the Erasmus+ program to support them in implementing their projects.

Kirsti Sinivee

Head

Tere! My name is Kirsti and I come from Estonia. I studied German language and literature at the University of Tartu and after my studies I have worked in the field of education and international cooperation for over 22 years. At the DBJW I am the head of the Estonian country office and I am also involved in Erasmus partnerships. I am very happy to be part of this great team and to work with young people for young people.

k.sinivee.dbjw@deutsch-balten.de

Jaagup Randi

Employee

Hello! My name is Jaagup and I study German at the University of Tartu. I have been in contact with the German language and culture since my childhood, when I attended the German Gymnasium in Tallinn. I am particularly interested in the Baltic Germans because they are a unique and very interesting German ethnic group that has had a great influence on us Estonians and on the various historical processes in Estonia. In my free time I sing in the Tartu Academic Men's Choir, play the guitar and keep bees.

r.jaagup.dbjw@deutsch-balten.de

Our projects & events

solidarity project ‘Socialising Unites Us!’ received funding! The feedback from the evaluators and the Estonian National Agency on our application was very positive: ‘The aim of the project is excellent, very noble, and a successful project will better integrate the young people involved in Ukraine into society. As a first-time applicant, the project is very well elaborated.

What is this project about? The project enables Ukrainians living in Estonia to feel better integrated into Estonian society. For 9 months (August 2024-April 2025) we want to offer leisure activities once a month for young Ukrainians to make new acquaintances, make friends, learn/practise Estonian and English and get to know Estonia and its culture.

Our goals:

Gain experience in project management in the core project group

The project team has the opportunity to realise its ideas
The youth group will plan and implement the project and analyse the results.
The project team plans the project and implements it
The project team gains important professional experience as individuals and as a team (each member has their own area of responsibility).
The members of the youth group get to know and understand different cultures (Ukrainian, Russian, Estonian).
The participants of the project team are motivated by the results achieved, new experiences in project management, new acquaintances and contacts. The DBJW also motivates the young people by giving the team the opportunity to continue taking part in other DBJW events in the Baltic states and in Germany.

Better involvement of young Ukrainians into the local community and society

The young Ukrainians take part in the project together with their Ukrainian compatriots and young people of other nationalities, which leads to mutual understanding and tolerance between the young people.

About the project team:

The project team consists of five young people from Tallinna Saksa Gümnaasium (Hannes Tamm, Jeteli Kaasik, Lauren Lee Kurvits) and the Estonian Academy of Arts (Marianne Lapin and Kert Väljak). They planned and wrote the application together with the head of the Estonian national office, Kirsti Sinivee, who is also the coach of this project.

Event overview:

19 November 2024: Museum visit

06 December 2024: Christmas event

15 January 2025: Winter sports event

08 February 2025: Escape room

13 March 2025: Cooking event

05 April 2025: Tartu Event

Details and registration opportunities will be announced a few weeks before each event! If you are interested or have any suggestions, you are welcome to contact us in advance!