The Integration Foundation is inviting nominations of individuals and organisations whose work deserves recognition for promoting integration. Candidates can be nominated in four categories until 30 September 2026.
“Estonia’s strength lies in its diverse cultural landscape, enriched by the stories of the people who live here. Integration takes place through people’s everyday encounters, shared activities and willingness to understand one another. Estonia is home to many people and organisations that consciously create opportunities for people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to come together, take part in joint activities and contribute to their communities,” said Eda Silberg, Undersecretary for Cultural Diversity at the Ministry of Culture. “Through the Integration Awards, we want to highlight and recognise these initiatives, and I encourage everyone to nominate candidates whose work helps make Estonia a more cohesive and stronger society.”
According to Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation, the integration awards provide an opportunity to bring public attention to people and initiatives whose impact often extends far beyond their everyday activities. ‘A more cohesive society is built through the sustained efforts of many people. These people may be teachers, community leaders, professionals working in culture and sport, journalists, or organisations that create opportunities for cooperation and greater mutual understanding through their work. With the integration awards, we want to highlight their contribution, because positive examples show others how everyone can help strengthen the cohesion of Estonian society,’ said Moskovtsev.
Candidates can be nominated in four categories:
Cornerstone of Integration – raising awareness of the cultural diversity of Estonia and the targeted long-term activities to promote integration
Bridgebuilder of the Year – implementation of cooperation projects aimed at residents whose first language is not Estonian
Spark of the Year – outstanding activities of a person or organisation in the field of integration
Messenger of the Year – shaping attitudes supporting integration through the media
Individuals and organisations from all walks of life can be nominated for activities that were carried out or launched between 1 September 2025 and 31 December 2026. There is no time limit for activities eligible for the special Cornerstone of Integration award. The competition is not open to self-nominations or nominations of candidates who have received an integration award in the last three years.
The best among all candidates will be selected by a panel of experts in the field. Each of the award winners will receive a €1,000 prize. Winners will be awarded by Minister of Culture Heidy Purga at a ceremony in December 2026 in Tallinn.
Proposals for the candidates for the Integration Awards can be submitted until 30 September 2026. The nomination form and competition rules are available on the website of the Integration Foundation: https://integratsioon.ee/en/loimumispreemiad.
The total prize fund is €5,000. The recipient of the Cornerstone of Integration award will receive €2,000, while the recipients of the three annual awards will each receive €1,000.
The Integration Foundation and the Ministry of Culture are presenting the Integration Awards for the 27th time this year, recognising individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to integration.
The winners of the integration awards of the last three years
Cornerstone of Integration: 2025 – Natalia Ermakov, 2024 – Aleksandr Dusman, 2023 – Pavel Ivanov
Bridgebuilder of the Year: 2025 – Education Team of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, 2024 – Hirvo Surva and the Estonian Music Council, 2023 – Maria Sakarias
Spark of the Year: 2025 – Einike Sooväli, 2024 – Alika Milova, 2023 – Kirill Badikin
Messenger of the Year: 2025 – Osakond OÜ, 2024 – the team behind the ETV+ programme Keeleveski, 2023 – the editorial team at Raadio 4