On December 16, the Ministry of Culture and the Integration Foundation announced the most outstanding integration promoters of the year. Natalia Ermakov, Einike Sooväli, Osakond OÜ, and the Education Department of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum received recognition and awards.
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga said that the Integration Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and thank people whose work has a far-reaching impact. ‘There are many people around us who contribute to integration through their actions and dedication. Often unnoticed. But here today, we are highlighting these people and initiatives, noting them and telling them with this award that someone cares about their work and that it has already made Estonia a better place to live,’ the minister said.
The recipients of the Integration Awards were chosen by a commission of experts in the field of integratsion from among over 50 nominees submitted by Estonian residents and organisations during this year's public competition.
According to Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation, the key to successful integration is everyday deeds and choices that support mutual communication and cooperation. ‘It is important that people with different mother tongues find more and more common contact points in our cultural space. This year’s laureates come from a wide range of backgrounds, but in all of them, we see the ability to speak to people in a way that generates interest and trust to participate more actively in Estonian society,’ said Moskovtsev.
Award Categories and Winners
The prizes were awarded in four categories, and the laureate of each category received a monetary award of 1,000 euros.
The Cornerstone of Integration (Lõimumise raudvara) prize was awarded to Natalia Ermakov, Senior Research Fellow at the Estonian Literary Museum and head of the Estonian Union of National Minorities. She is committed to unifying the nationalities living in Estonia and promoting intercultural understanding. Under Natalia’s leadership, the Estonian Nationalities Forum and the Ethno Fair regularly bring together communities of different nationalities and create a space for cultural exchange and dialogue. Her research and community work helps to preserve and promote Estonia’s cultural diversity and creates synergies between language and cultural communities and researchers and artists.
In the Spark of the Year (Aasta säde) category, the award was given to Einike Sooväli, whose work has brought the Estonian language and culture to a wide variety of environments across Estonia. In 2025, nearly 1,000 people participated in the integration programmes of the Estonian Open Air Museum under her leadership, although the impact of her work reaches farther beyond. Her initiative has led to development of the language and culture club Keelekompott (Language Compote) and expanded activities aimed at schools, museums, and detention centres. Einike’s work is characterised by deep empathy, a creative approach, and a belief that language and cultural experience can help people find self-confidence and a connection to the Estonian society.
The award in the category Messenger of the Year (Aasta sõnumikandja) went to Osakond OÜ for the TV series „A Taste of Estonia„ (Maitserännak Eestimaal). The series brings together culture and food through two languages and seven chefs, introducing viewers to Estonian places, stories, and people from all over the country. A Taste of Estonia sparks interest in Estonia’s food culture, history, and folk culture, and shows the diversity of life outside the major centres. The series appealed particular to Russian-speaking audiences, offering an accessible and meaningful view of Estonia’s cultural diversity and strengthening interest in the common cultural space.
The Bridgebuilder of the Year (Aasta sillalooja) award went to the Educational Department of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, whose activities link sport and museum education and bring together young people from different cultural backgrounds. Over 700 young people have participated in the museum’s programmes, integration gatherings have been held, and a travelling exhibition titled ‘Sport as a Common Language’ has been created. The educational activities of the Sports Museum support language practice, cooperation, and friendships, and help young people build a personal connection with Estonian culture and society through shared experiences and active engagement.
All Estonian residents and organisations will be able to submit candidates for the integration awards again in September of next year.