Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV)

The 2️⃣nd Latitude59 Kenya Edition brought together the Kenyan and Estonian tech and startup ecosystems, drawing over 1,500 participants, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from around the globe 🇰🇪🇪🇪 🤝 Kenya’s startup scene is one of the leading in Africa. Local entrepreneurs are eager to learn from Estonia’s success and collaborate with the Estonian tech community. "I’m happy and grateful we had the opportunity to bring the Estonian and Kenyan startup ecosystems together again, showcasing them both in Africa and globally," said Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59. The event is supported by #ESTDEV as part of Estonia’s development cooperation priorities in #Kenya, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. 🔹 “ESTDEV’s role is to build bridges, bring together different parties and create platforms to share knowledge and experience,” said Kristel Rillo, ESTDEV’s advisor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 👉 Read more about the 2nd #latitude59xkenya: https://lnkd.in/dKzJy6Re Representatives from Estonia's startup and investment community see huge potential for collaboration between Africa and Europe, but emphasize the need for a dedicated, long-term strategy. 🔹“The role of angel investors is currently modest in Kenya and elsewhere, but the potential is immense. Latitude59 Kenya is the perfect platform where investors and entrepreneurs can start turning big ideas into reality," said Siim Teller, a representative of ESTBAN and a partner at Lemonade Stand. #Latitude59 is the flagship startup and tech event of Estonia. Katrin Winter Daniel Schaer Liina Link Mariin Ratnik Andres Ääremaa Victoria Nkatha Christopher Waweru Eunice Muihia Neema Mwikali Laura Roop Triin Kangur Carlos Kuiv #FromThePeopleOfEstonia #innovation #digitaltransformation #ESTDEVinKenya #ESTDEVinAfrica

🎓 20 Ukrainian #healthcare professionals have successfully completed the "Train the Trainers" occupational therapy program in Estonia, organized by Tallinna Tervishoiu Kõrgkool/Tallinn Health Care College and #ESTDEV✨ These newly trained experts will return to #Ukraine as occupational therapy trainers in hospitals, strengthening the country's capacity to support individuals suffering from physical and psychological trauma 💪❤️ 🇺🇦 🇪🇪 Maksym Kononenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to #Estonia, highlighted the significance of this initiative in rebuilding Ukraine's healthcare system. He presented a Certificate of Gratitude from Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, to ESTDEV for their valuable contributions to rehabilitation training 📜 Eva-Maria Liimets, ESTDEV’s program manager, emphasized: “This course is a tangible way to assist those most affected by the war.” 🩺🏥Ukraine to provide essential support to those affected by the war. Occupational therapy is crucial for helping individuals regain their independence and improve their quality of life after trauma, especially as demand for rehabilitation services in Ukraine continues to rise. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dEiJTgg2 🙏 A heartfelt thank you to all those involved: Margus Gering, Heidi Alasepp, Epp-Triin Võsu, Marika Kundla, Kertu Mooste, Tiina Joosu-Palu, Andrea Kivi, and Klen Jäärats! 🙏 #fromthepeopleofestonia

🚀 Estonia and Ukraine join forces for local government innovation 🇪🇪🇺🇦 #ESTDEV, Civitta and University of Tartu have launched IMPACT-Zhytomyr programme, a game-changing initiative to empower local governments in #Ukraine to tap into #EU reconstruction funds 🇪🇺 Over 200 representatives from the Zhytomyr region will gain the skills needed to develop, manage, and implement sustainable projects that will transform their communities💡 🔹Estonian Minister for Justice and Digitalization, Liisa Pakosta, emphasized the role of local governments in rebuilding war-damaged areas, drawing on Estonia's own experience with EU funding models. 🔹 According to Civitta Ukraine’s partner Dmytro Lyvch, the programme equips local leaders with the skills to collaborate with international partners, assess needs, and manage EU-funded projects 🔹ESTDEV’s Executive Director Klen Jäärats stressed the importance of building the capacity of local authorities, especially in light of the upcoming EU accession negotiations 🔹Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna expressed her gratitude for Estonia's support in helping Ukraine build a strategic vision for long-term transformation. 🙌 This is just the beginning! The programme is set to scale across Ukraine, providing much-needed capacity-building for communities nationwide 🇺🇦💼 READ 👉 https://lnkd.in/gWDTqSqu Justiitsministeerium | Ministry of Justice of Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu Maari Helilaid Ramona-Riin Dremljuga Nadiia Pototska Reesi Lepa Yaroslav Zhydyk Ivanna Didur Mariin Ratnik Ivan Kostenko Lauri Luht, Eva-Maria Liimets Margus Gering Andrea Kivi, Anna Alen, Tiina Joosu-Palu #FromThePeopleOfEstonia #ESTDEVinUkraine #StopWar #StandingWithUkraine #ImpactZhytomyr

Today, #ESTDEV and #HAUS officially launched the #ThinkLikeAnInvestor initiative! 🌍👏 The launch was welcomed by H.E. Ondrej Simek, the EU Deputy Head of Mission to Kenya, H.E. Daniel Schaer, Estonian Ambassador to Kenya and South Africa, and H.E. Pirkka Tapiola, Finnish Ambassador to Kenya. 🇪🇺🇫🇮🇪🇪 Now, the selected 10 companies are starting their acceleration program to explore new opportunities for sustainable growth and scale their solutions. 🔹“The selected companies have the potential to expand beyond their countries and create a greater effect throughout Africa. Their solutions are scalable and help alleviate socio-economic problems, which is exactly what we are looking for," said Laura Roop, project manager at ESTDEV. Within #TeamEurope Data Governance in Africa framework, the #ThinkLikeAnInvestor initiative empowers African innovators to create transformative solutions in areas such as healthcare, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and digital connectivity. Read more how Estonia and partners support digital-social innovation in Africa 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSAZwUDP #DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation #GlobalGateway Digital for Development (D4D) Hub HAUS kehittämiskeskus Oy / HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd GIZ Kenya African Union Joel Karubiu Viya Health Panuka AgriBiz Hub, Wakamoso Africa, Macquarie Medical Care, Niajiri Platform Limited , Twiva, Ipachi Capital, Génération de l’Automobile SUARL, agriBORA, MipangoApp

🌍✨ The Annual Partner Meeting, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and #ESTDEV, brought together key players in Estonian development cooperation to reflect on our achievements in 2024 and outline plans for 2025🌱🤝. We grateful to our partners for their commitment and hard work, which have been instrumental in driving positive change. Whether in the public or private sector, or civil society, each of you plays a crucial role in making a difference together 👏 As we look to the year ahead, we hope for even stronger partnerships, continued collaboration, and greater impact in our partner countries. Estonia’s total official development assistance reached USD 109.3 million in 2023, representing 0.28% of gross national income. Estonia's priority continues to be supporting #Ukraine, with additional focus on other priority countries, including #Moldova, #Georgia, #Armenia, #Kenya, #Uganda, #Botswana, and #Namibia. 🙌 #FromThePeopleOfEstonia - Mondo Eesti Pagulasabi / Estonian Refugee Council, Cybernetica, e-Governance Academy, Siseministeerium / Estonian Ministry of the Interior, Kultuuriministeerium / Estonian Ministry of Culture, Justiitsministeerium | Ministry of Justice of Estonia, Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia / Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium, Kliimaministeerium / Ministry of Climate of Estonia, Civitta, BCS Koolitus AS, Digital Nation, Estonian School of Diplomacy, Eesti Punane Rist / Estonian Red Cross, ETAG - Estonian Research Council, Estonian Business School, Haridus- ja Noorteamet / Education and Youth Board of Estonia, ITL Estonian ICT Cluster, Krabu Grupp, LetsDoItWorld, Loov Eesti/Creative Estonia, Proud Engineers, Päästeliit, Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaigla, Tallinn University, TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology, Synbase, Visionest Institute, Latitude59, Estonian Cleantech Association, University of Tartu, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu, URETEK, Tehnopol, Triumf Health, SpeakTX, Riigikantselei / Government Office of Estonia 🙌

GovStack family gathered in Tallinn! 👨👩👦👦 #ESTDEV had the pleasure to host GovStack family here in Tallinn for an on-site Strategy Working Group meeting. ✍ 🔹“The meeting in Tallinn was particularly important as we identified key strategies to move forward, and it has been a long time since all stakeholders met in person,” said Marika Popp, GovStack Lead for Estonia. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dk5G3nCc A huge thank you to all participants for your commitment and invaluable contributions. The GovStack family is stronger than ever, and we’re ready to take our mission to the next level. Here's to fostering innovation, sharing knowledge, and empowering governments around the world! Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Digital Impact Alliance International Telecommunication Union #DigitalTransformation #digitalpublicinfrastructure #GovStack #FromThePeopleOfEstonia

#ESTDEV had the honour of hosting a high level delegation from Kenya 🇰🇪 this week in Estonia led by H. E. Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, Cabiet Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, and H. E. Mrs. Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya 🤝. The delegation took a center stage at Estonia’s prestigious Tallinn Digital Summit, an annual event that gathers leaders from the world’s most digitally advanced nations. ▶ Watch the panel discussion about securing innovation in a geopolitically tense world featuring H. E. Mrs Wanjau 👉 https://lnkd.in/ddRQeinv ▶Watch the panel discussion about global leadership featuring H. E. Dr Ndung’u 👉 https://lnkd.in/djy6R6HZ The delegation met with ESTDEV’s Executive Director Klen Jäärats, Estonian Ambassador to Kenya and South Africa Daniel Schaer, and the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta. 🔹 “In Africa, our closest cooperation currently lies with Kenya, where we can see how our presence is boosting interest in collaboration with Estonia. It was truly a pleasure to once again host a Kenyan delegation here in Tallinn,” said Katrin Winter, regional head for Africa at ESTDEV. Delegation included representatives from the Kenyan Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 🔸Amb. Angeline Musili, Ambassador of Kenya to Estonia 🔸Priscah Motogwa, Advisor to the Secretary to the Cabinet 🔸Emmanuel Kata, Secretary of Cybersecurity, Ministry of ICT 🔸Grace Obat, Advisor to the CS, Ministry of ICT 🔸Cecilia Mutua, Director of Data Management, Ministry of ICT The visit was organised within the framework of Kenya’s human centered digitalisation project , financed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and European Commission. ESTDEV is currently managing the implementation of the 2.4 million euro international project in Kenya to support the country’s digitalisation and the creation of an open, efficient digital society. #ESTDEVinAfrica #FromThePeopleOfEstonia #DigitalTransformation #TeamEurope #TDS2024 Victoria Nkatha Christopher Waweru Neema Mwikali Eunice Muihia Laura Roop Triin Kangur Andres Ääremaa Eneli Järve 📸 Arne Mikkor, ESTDEV

Meet the winners! 🎉 Ten start-ups from Africa have been selected to participate in the Think Like An Investor programme! The programme under Team Europe's Data Governance in Africa Initiative provides specially adapted training, mentoring and guidance for these selected companies from Tanzania 🇹🇿 Kenya 🇰🇪 Senegal 🇸🇳 Botswana 🇧🇼 Namibia 🇳🇦 South Africa 🇿🇦 and Zambia 🇿🇲 to support them in finding new opportunities for sustainable growth and scaling their solutions. 📈 🔹"The selected companies have the potential to expand beyond their countries and create a greater effect throughout Africa. Their solutions are scalable and help alleviate socio-economic problems, which is exactly what we are looking for," said Laura Roop, project manager at #ESTDEV. 🔹"When planning our projects, we try to focus on people-centeredness. This project is a great opportunity to take local data-driven ideas to the next level and positively impact the society at the heart of these innovations," said Katrin Winter, ESTDEV’s regional head for Africa. For more about the project and these 10 companies 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSAZwUDP #ThinkLikeAnInvestor is a programme under Data Governance in Africa, an Initiative supported by EU 🇪🇺 Belgium 🇧🇪 Estonia🇪🇪 Finland 🇫🇮 France 🇫🇷 & Germany 🇩🇪 #DataGovernanceAfrica #TeamEurope #GlobalGateway #D4DHub Digital for Development (D4D) Hub Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Ministère des Affaires étrangères français, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia HAUS kehittämiskeskus Oy / HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd, GIZ African Union, Enabel, Expertise France, Digital Africa, Eunice Muihia, Victoria Nkatha, Christopher Waweru, Andres Ääremaa, Eneli Järve, Andrea Kivi, Liina Link

#ESTDEV and GovStack at Tallinn Digital Summit! 🌐 🙌 The session led by Marika Popp, GovStack Lead for Estonia, highlighted GovStack's role as a key framework for implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). It emphasized its importance in fostering global #interoperability, digital governance, inclusivity, and cross-border collaboration. Welcoming remarks by: 🔹 H.E. Dr Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; 🔹 Mr Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, the International Telecommunication Union; and 🔹 Ms Katharina Mänz, Deputy Head of the Digitisation Unit, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The panel discussed how global government stacks like GovStack can serve as the global standard for DPI, facilitating digital governance and bridging the digital divide. 🇹🇿 “GovStack really gave us the idea of how we can digitize our government services. The task ahead of us now is how we’re going to implement the digital governance framework,” said Mr Mohamed Mashaka, Director of the Department of IT Systems Development and Service, Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology of Tanzania. A big applause to all the panellists 👏  🔹Mr Kristo Vaher, GovStack CTO 🔹Ms Claudia OLIVEIRA, Programme Manager, EU Policies at European Commission, DG DIGIT 🔹Ms Maria Leek, Team leader at the Interoperability and Digital Government unit, DG DIGIT 🔹Ms Chloe Teevan, Head of Digital Economy and Governance, ECDPM 🌍 🔹Ms Laura Sigelmann, Digital Government Lead, USAID 🔹Mr Mohamed Mashaka, Director of the Department of IT Systems Development and Service, Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology, Tanzania #GovStack has an important role in leading the global discussion on DPI. And as Kristo Vaher said: “Interoperability is a language. And this is the biggest value of GovStack - to be the shared language that different groups, systems and countries can understand.” #TDS2024 #DigitalTransformation #digitalpublicinfrastructure

1000 days of Russian aggression in Ukraine. 1000 days of Estonia supporting Ukraine 🇺🇦🤝🇪🇪 “Today marks 1000 days of war, 1000 days of our fight, 1000 days of our unity with Estonia," said Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of European Integration and Digital Transformation of Ukraine, speaking at the Tallinn Digital Summit today 🎤🌍. Estonian-Ukrainian #digitalcooperation is built on shared values. The next major step is the creation of an #AI-powered government, which offers the opportunity to reinvent government systems, Ionan highlighted. Together, we invite all like-minded nations to join this transformative initiative. Since 2022, Estonia has unwaveringly supported Ukraine, contributing more than €500 million in military aid, €27 million in humanitarian assistance, and €33 million in development cooperation 🌱 Ukraine stands strong, and #WeStandWithUkraine 💙💛 📸 The Eesti Pagulasabi / Estonian Refugee Council lit 1,000 candles today in Tallinn's Freedom Square as a show of support for Ukraine 📸 Tallinn Digital Summit Margus Gering Mariin Ratnik Tiina Joosu-Palu Andrea Kivi Kateryna Melnyk Eero Janson Ivan Kostenko #FromThePeopleOfEstonia #StrongerTogether #TDS2024 #ESTDEV