The Young Leaders Program 2022 is completed. Twenty young Swedish and Estonian leaders came together to learn from each other and develop their leadership skills

To further strengthen regional integration and promote exchange between young leaders in Estonia and Sweden – Swedbank and SEB are jointly supporting new leadership exchange program which was launched this year.

The purpose of the Young Leaders Program is to develop the skills of young leaders, as well as establishing new relationships on both sides of the Baltic Sea. Participants are selected from a range of different sectors such as business, politics, culture, and academia. This year’s program was divided into two sessions - Spring conference in Tallinn in May and the Autumn conference in Stockholm in October.

A program participant from Estonia, Pärtel-Peeter Pere, Urban Affairs Senior Adviser at Miltton says that participating in the program gave him insights into where climate tech is already today and he sees good cooperation possibilities between Estonia and Scandinavian countries. “Estonia’s unicorn producing fintech scene now has companies that have tokenized the preservation of forests and biodiversity. Sweden produces green steel and is piloting electric passenger airplanes. If these two Nordic countries join forces in climate tech, the human race has better chances to face the global climate catastrophe,” he says.  

During the program participants from Sweden and Estonia have met prominent speakers such as Kersti Kaljulaid, Rain Laane, Katre Kõvask and other highly ranked business leaders, leadership experts, researchers, politicians and diplomats from both countries.

“With our four home markets being Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden, and a strong commitment to having a positive impact on society, it’s natural for Swedbank to contribute to the development of the next generation young leaders in the region,” says Jon Lidefelt, Head of Baltic Banking at Swedbank.

Niina Äikäs, Head of SEB Baltic division: “We at SEB exist to positively shape the future with responsible advice and capital. Today and for generations to come. By supporting the development and relationship building of young people from around the Baltics and Sweden we act on our purpose and help to build better societies with brighter futures.”

The program is organized by the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund. Pär Nuder, the Chairman of the fund, says: “A deeper cooperation between Sweden and our neighbors in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is a true win-win opportunity and it always begins and ends with people.”

As a next step, Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund in cooperation with Swedbank and SEB have started preparations for the next Young Leaders Program 2023 and applicants from business, politics, culture and academia in the age group of 25-35 are welcome to apply for the leadership exchange program. The application period for Young Leaders Program 2023 is opened between December 1st and December 31st 2022.