Network of Estonian Organizations in Finland turns one year old

The Network of Estonian Organizations in Finland had its one year anniversary on October 30, having been founded just last year. Although co-operation between Finnish-Estonian organizations has existed for many years, a central or umbrella organization (like ones long established in Sweden, Canada, the United States, Australia etc.) had not really existed and the drive to establish one received momentum during the ESTO 2019 diaspora festival in Helsinki.

The Network of Estonian Organizations in Finland (Eesti Organisatsioonide Võrgustik Soomes or EOVS) seeks to represent the Estonian community in FInland at both the  local and international levels and to act as a central organization. The goal is to improve the situation of Estonians in Finland by being a representative body in the communication and exchange of information with the Finnish and Estonian governments. The organization also support the integration of Estonians into Finnish society, while also preserving Estonian language, identity, culture and helping to keep connected with Estonia.

This is significant because Finland has the largest Estonian diaspora community in the world. Approximately 70,000 Estonians are estimated to be living or working in Finland at this point.