EANC Announces Grant Opportunity for Estonian-American Delegates to ESTO 2025 Youth Congress

(For immediate release, April 29, 2025) — The Estonian American National Council (EANC), Eesti Rahvuskomittee Ühendriikides (ERKÜ), is pleased to announce a new grant opportunity for young Estonian Americans. EANC will offer a stipend to cover travel expenses up to $1250 (per student) to two young Estonian Americans (between the ages of 18-25) who have been accepted to participate as Youth Delegates at ESTO 2025.

ESTO 2025 will take place in Stockholm, Narva, and Tallinn from June 25 to July 3. Youth Delegates will engage in thought-provoking discussions where they will represent their communities and share their perspectives. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the broader ESTO program. It will be a wonderful chance to meet and form friendships with other youth of Estonian heritage.

In announcing this grant, EANC Vice President Maia Linask explains, “EANC is committed to supporting young Estonian Americans as they forge connections with their Estonian roots and with others of Estonian heritage. The success of the Youth Delegates program at ESTO 2019 led to the foundation of the Global Estonian Youth Network (ÜENV), and we anticipate equally inspiring dialogue this year. Connections with other young Estonians are crucial for strengthening our communities now and into the future, and EANC is excited to also financially support participation of two representatives from the U.S.”

In order to encourage attendance and defray travel costs, the EANC will provide a stipend to cover up to $1250 in travel costs for two young Estonian Americans who have been accepted as Youth Delegates at ESTO 2025.  Interested students will need to submit a short application to ESTO here by Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Estonian time.  Please email the EANC at ERKUnoored@estosite.org to let us know that you have submitted your application and why you wish to be considered for the EANC travel award.

The Board of the Estonian Worldwide Youth Network will select 50 Youth Delegates for ESTO 2025. If you are chosen as a youth delegate (and not provided a travel grant from ESTO/EWYN), please inform EANC, and you will then be eligible for the EANC grant. The EANC Youth Committee will inform you about travel funding.

We highly encourage all young Estonian Americans to consider this unique opportunity!

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Contact:

Estonian American National Council:

Submit Letters of Intent to EANC Youth Committee here: ERKUnoored@estosite.org

General questions: erku@estosite.org

More about EANC, our mission, and Estonian American activities here: www.estosite.org

ESTO 2025 Youth Congress:

More info and Application here: https://estofestival.com/en/could-you-be-the-next-youth-delegate/

ESTO 2025 Program and Ticket information: www.estofestival.com

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