Ukrainian Center in Pärnu Turns 1! 🎉
This year has been an important and eventful one for the Ukrainian Center in Pärnu. Over the past 12 months, it has become a hub for support, cultural exchange, and integration for Ukrainians who found themselves in Estonia. The Center has become a place where people find understanding, receive assistance, and feel part of a new community.
Throughout the year, we organized cultural events, excursions, celebrations, and language courses, which not only helped participants better understand Estonian traditions but also preserved Ukrainian identity. Psychological support has also been a vital part of our work, helping many families and individuals overcome the challenges of adaptation.
One of the year's most significant achievements has been the launch of a new website, ukrainakeskus.ee, which now provides up-to-date information about the Center's activities, upcoming events, programs, and services. This platform has become a convenient tool for those seeking support or wanting to join our initiatives.
We are proud that the Center has not only been a place of assistance but also a platform for cultural dialogue, where Ukrainians and Estonians interact, share traditions, and create something new together.
We are grateful to all partners, volunteers, and participants who have been with us throughout this year. Your support and active involvement have enabled us to achieve these successes. There is still much work ahead, and we are confident that, together with you, we can implement even more projects to support and integrate Ukrainians in Pärnu and Estonia as a whole. Follow our updates on the website and join our events. Together, we can do more! 💙💛
Another news
13.02.2026MTÜ Ukraina Keskus has been selected to participate in the international RIZA project.
Read moreThe RIZA project is a large-scale initiative supported by the European Union, aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations working with migrant and refugee women across Europe. The project focuses on: • strengthening the capacity of local organisations working with women of migrant background through financial support and tailored development tools; • supporting the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant and refugee women, including access to fundamental rights, participation in democratic processes, and ensuring equal opportunities; • building a cooperation network among organisations from different EU countries working in similar fields, fostering exchange of experience and joint initiatives; • supporting the voice and leadership of women of migrant background in public dialogue and democratic processes.
The project manager of MTÜ Ukraina Keskus has already attended the first two-day training in Brussels within the framework of the RIZA programme, organised by Migrantwomennetwork in partnership with Melissa Network and Pangea. Key topics of the training included: • capacity building of civil society organisations; • European Union values and fundamental human rights in the migration context; • different forms of gender-based violence and response mechanisms.
An online learning programme was also presented, which representatives of participating organisations will complete over the course of the year within the RIZA project. This marked an important step in establishing effective cooperation with international colleagues and project organisers. We sincerely thank the RIZA project team and partners from different countries for the opportunity to contribute to this important European process.
08.12.2025Ukrainian Center selected as one of five Estonian organisations for the international MARIO 2025 project
Read moreLast year, MTÜ Ukraina Keskus was selected as one of five organisations in Estonia working with national minorities to participate in the international MARIO 2025 project. This is a great honour for us, as we are the youngest organisation among all 30 participants from six European countries included in the MARIO 2025 programme. 🇺🇦 Over four days in Brussels, during the MARIO Brussels Exchange & Advocacy Meetings 2025, we represented the Ukrainian community of Estonia at meetings with representatives of key European institutions. 👩💻 Together with colleagues from six countries, we met, learned, and exchanged experiences with representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and leading human rights initiatives. It was a great honour to meet and listen to such influential speakers as: 🔹 Pascale Biver – Task Manager, EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency), an executive agency of the European Commission managing EU grant programmes in the fields of education, culture, youth, media, and civil society (including Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and CERV); 🔹 Tanja Florath – Policy Officer, DG JUST, coordinating EU anti-racism policy; 🔹 Jelena Jovanovic – Coordinator of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament, shaping the political agenda on equality; 🔹 Neil Clarke – Head of Legal Programmes and EU Advocacy (MRG), who delivered a powerful training on advocacy strategies for minority rights; 🔹 Lucia Demeny – European Women's Lobby, who spoke about the role of women leaders in building an inclusive society. This exchange in Brussels was an invaluable experience — offering networking opportunities and knowledge exchange with leaders and communities shaping modern Europe: equal, diverse, and united in solidarity 🤝🇪🇺. We sincerely thank MRGgroup for the opportunity and the excellent organisation of all events! 🙌
25.08.2025Official Registration of the Ukrainian Folk Hobby School in Pärnu — Pärnu Ukraina Rahva Kool
Read more25.08.2025 — a symbolic and meaningful date marking the birth of a new educational center for the Ukrainian community.
We sincerely thank everyone who helped make this dream come true.
Special gratitude goes to Pärnu linn, as well as Helena Viks, Agnes Sirg, Meeli Waf, Reeli Jantson, and the inspector from the Ministry of Education Triin Hüva, who patiently guided us through all the checks, consultations, and document exchanges.This was a long but very important journey, and now we have reached the main goal:
Ukrainian children in Pärnu will have their own space for development. Here they will be able to:- preserve their native language and culture,
- study and socialize after school,
- integrate successfully into Estonian society.
At the same time, the school will also become a cultural bridge, allowing Estonians to get to know Ukrainian traditions more closely.
📌 Pre-registration for hobby groups is now open!
Fill in the form 👉 forms.gle/8unKJb4vnLxDhJmd7
or write to us: purkparnuukrainarahvuskool@gmail.comOpen free classes will begin in September. We invite everyone to join! 🎨🎶📚
💙💛
Sincerely,
Head of Pärnu Ukrainian Folk School — Viktoria Kuzmenko