What is the objective of the Estonia and Sweden Young Leaders Program?

The program’s main objective is to enable young leaders from business, government, culture, academia and civil society to expand their understanding of Sweden and Estonia and create new forms of collaboration between our two neighbouring countries. The program is organized by the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund in close cooperation with SEB and Swedbank.

What is the structure of the program?

The program consists of a combination of lectures, meetings and professional exchange, both in Tallinn and in Stockholm. During the two sessions in Tallinn and Stockholm the participants will interact with leaders who are distinguished within their fields of expertise and will be able to exchange their own expertise within the group and thereby gain a better understanding of the complex environment in which they operate.

The program gives participants a unique opportunity for networking and develop new opportunities for future Swedish-Estonian collaborations.

Over time the Young Leaders Program will develop a strong and vital alumni network that will help maintain the knowledge and connections made during the one year program.

At the end of the program each participant submits an opinion piece on a shared bilateral concern or professional leadership takeaway. Some of them may be published on The Sweden Estonia Cooperation Fund’s website. The program concludes with a final program debrief that takes place one month after the exchange program, after which lifelong engagement with Sweden and Estonia continues.

2022 was the first year of the program. You can read more about this under News — Samarbetsfonden (sweestfund.org)

Are there any costs involved with the program?

The program cover travel expenses to the activities and accommodations during our activities. We do not cover lost earnings or other allowances. Therefore, we encourage the participants to get a blessing from their employers. The program is free of charge.

How come the program is free of charge and how can you support us for the future?

The Foundation has received a substantial donation from SEB and Swedbank that will cover most of our expenses the first three years, but we hope to find more partners to be able to secure the program long term.

If you would like to support the program financially or otherwise like to get in touch with us, please contact our project manager in Sweden: Anna Ljungdell or our project manager in Estonia: Janar Sutt.