Project Start Date: January 1, 2025
The Kohtla-Järve City Government and The Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities (AECM) have entered into a partnership agreement to implement activities under Measure 21.4.7.56 of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy: “Support for Local Governments in Providing Integration, Including Adaptation Services.” This initiative aims to assist local governments in offering services to newly arrived immigrants, recipients of international protection, people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, as well as repatriates.
The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the capacity of local governments to provide effective services that support recipients of international protection, newly arrived immigrants, and other target groups in successfully adapting to and integrating into Estonian society.
Target Groups of the Project:
Recipient of international protection — An alien who has been recognized as a refugee or placed under temporary or additional protection and has been granted a residence permit in Estonia.
Newly arrived immigrant – A foreigner who has legally resided in Estonia for less than five years, specifically:
- A foreigner who has received a temporary residence permit in Estonia under the Aliens Act or the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens.
- A citizen of the European Union who has received a temporary right of residence in Estonia under the Citizen of the European Union Act.
- A family member of an EU citizen who has received a temporary right of residence in Estonia under the Citizen of the European Union Act.
Person with a diverse linguistic and cultural background – an individual who has legally resided in Estonia for more than five years and has acquired Estonian citizenship through naturalization, or is a stateless person, or is a citizen of another country.
Repatriate — An adult Estonian citizen who has returned to Estonia for permanent residence within the last eight months and has registered their place of residence in the Estonian Population Register.
The Project Manager of the Kohtla-Järve City Government is:
Project End Date: December 31, 2027
The body responsible for implementing the initiative is the Ministry of Culture, and the implementing agency is the State Shared Services Centre (Riigi Tugiteenuste Keskus).
The project implementer is the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities (AECM). Project partners are local governments.