To honor outstanding contributions to the relationship between Sweden and Estonia, the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund has established the annual Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have significantly promoted mutual understanding, strengthened collaboration, and fostered enduring friendships between our two nations.

Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Award 2024 - Ilon Wikland

Ilon Wikland is an Estonian-Swedish illustrator, best known for her illustrations of Astrid Lindgren's books. She was born on February 5, 1930, in Tartu, Estonia, but fled to Sweden during World War II in 1944. Wikland began collaborating with Astrid Lindgren in the 1950s and has illustrated many of Lindgren's most beloved books, including “Karlsson On the Roof”, “The Six Bullerby Children”, "Mio, My Mio," "The Brothers Lionheart," and "Ronia, the Robber's Daughter." Her illustrations are known for their detail and ability to vividly capture Lindgren's stories. Wikland is one of Sweden's most famous and esteemed illustrators.

Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Award 2024 - Hasse Olsson

Hasse Olsson is a Swedish businessman and former editor-in-chief of the business newspaper Dagens Industri. He was born on March 21, 1942, and is best known for his work in Swedish media and business. Under his leadership from 1979 to 2001, Dagens Industri grew to become one of Sweden's most influential business newspapers. Olsson has also been active as a board member and advisor in various companies and organizations. His experience and leadership have made him a respected figure in the Swedish business world. While working as editor-in-chief at Bonnier owned Dagens Industry, Hasse Olsson was one the initiators who established the local business daily Äripäev, a joint venture between the Swedish Bonnier and Estonian state owned company Mainor. Äripäev has left a significant legacy on the Estonian media landscape, especially in the fields of business journalism and economic news. Since its establishment in 1989, Äripäev has been one of the few publications consistently focused on topics related to the economy, business, and finance, thereby playing an important role in shaping the business culture in Estonia.

Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Award 2026 - Association of Swedish Language Teachers in Estonia

The Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Award 2026 is presented to the Association of Swedish Language Teachers in Estonia in recognition of its longstanding dedication to promoting the Swedish language and culture in Estonia. Through its commitment to language education and cultural exchange, the Association has played an important role in fostering mutual understanding, strengthening people-to-people connections and building lasting bridges of friendship and cooperation between Sweden and Estonia.

Founded in 2003, the Association of Swedish Language Teachers in Estonia (ERKOS) is dedicated to promoting Swedish language education, culture and cultural exchange in Estonia. The Association brings together more than 50 members, including teachers, translators, interpreters and other professionals with a shared interest in the Swedish language and culture.

ERKOS organises teacher training, seminars, conferences, educational visits and language camps for students, while encouraging cooperation among Swedish language teachers across the Baltic and Nordic countries.

Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Award 2026 - Founders of the Sweden–Estonia Skype Team

The Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Award 2026 recognises the founders of the Sweden–Estonia Skype Team for their pioneering contribution to global digital communication and the development of Estonia's startup ecosystem.

Skype's success demonstrated the potential of Swedish–Estonian technological collaboration and helped establish Estonia as an internationally recognised hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Its lasting legacy extends far beyond the technology itself, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and contributing to the creation of successful startups, investment networks and a thriving technology community.

The Skype story remains an outstanding example of how cross-border cooperation, innovation and entrepreneurial vision can create a lasting impact on both countries and beyond.