President of the Republic's Cultural Foundation is a foundation established in 1993 on the initiative of the President of the Republic. It centralises donations made by individuals, companies, organisations and associations in support of cultural, educational and research activities in Estonia. The activities of the foundation are planned and managed by its supervisory board, while everyday work is organised by its director.

The Cultural Foundation issues the Young Cultural Figure Award, the Young Scientist Award, the Young IT Scientist Award, Education Awards and Special Physical Sciences Award. President of the Republic's Folklore Collection Awards have also become a tradition, as has supporting the history-based research competition for students organised by the Association of Estonian Teachers of History and Social Studies.

For issuing scholarships and awards of specific purpose, the Cultural Foundation may accept donations intended for specific purposes and conclude agreements with legal persons and private individuals. Such an agreement shall specify the amount of the scholarship or award, its target group, the authority making a choice between the submitted applications; how often the scholarship or award is to be issued, etc.

All scholarships and awards shall be issued by the Cultural Foundation. When issuing a scholarship or award, the relevant donor shall be mentioned.

The Young Scientist Award, which is valued at 5000 euros, is designed for people up to the age of 35 doing research at an Estonian or foreign college, university or research institution. Candidates must already have completed their doctorate.

Nominations may be submitted by the young scientists themselves or their tutors or employers, as well as by members of the Board of the Cultural Foundation. Nominations must comprise a written application, including personal details and curriculum vitae; a description of the research being conducted; a list of published research work relevant to the research in question; and at least two references from tutors or teachers.

The recipient of the prize is encouraged to reach an agreement with Estonian colleges and universities to give at least two academic lectures on their research during the year. Preference should be given, where possible, to institutions in Narva, Pärnu, Haapsalu or other centres outside of Tallinn and Tartu.

All application documents should be sent to the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic at Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn or e-mailed in digitally signed form to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The recipient of the prize is selected by the supervisory board, which may, if it so wishes or if required, consult scientists and lecturers.

The Young Scientist Award is issued by the Cultural Foundation and has been sponsored by Väino Kaldoja since 2010. The prize is valued at 5000 euros and is issued once a year.

The Young Scientist Award was established in 2000 by Toomas Luman, a member of the supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation, who also sponsored the award from 2000 to 2009.

Previous laureates:

2000 - Priit Kogerman, molecular biologist
2001 - Allen Kaasik, pharmacologist
           Culture Foundation Award - Hill Kulu, geographer
2002 - Ahto Buldas, computer scientist
2003 - Ivo Leito, chemist
2004 - Jaan Raik, computer scientist
2005 - Sulev Kõks, neurobiologist
2006 - Alar Aints, haematologist-oncologist
2007 - Ivari Kaljurand, chemist
2008 - Veronika Kalmus, sociologist and media scholar
2009 - Mait Müntel, physicist
2010 - Bruno Mölder, philosopher
2011 - Peeter Laud, computer scientist
2012 - Jaak Kals, senior research specialist in biochemistry and vascular surgeon
2013 - Elmo Tempel, astrophysicist
2014 - Lili Milani, gene researcher
2015 – botanist and mycologist Leho Tedersoo; media and communication researcher Andra Siibak

The Young IT Scientist Award, which is valued at 5000 euros, is designed for scientists up to the age of 35, who has acquired a doctoral degree, has been admitted for a doctorial studies programme (at either an Estonian or foreign university) or whose research work is closely related to the development of information technology and related spheres (main focus: software development and applications). The award can be used to promote research work or for its implementation in practice.

Nominations may be submitted by the IT young scientists themselves or by their tutors or employers, professional association, universities, or by members of the Board of the Cultural Foundation. Nominations must comprise a written application, including personal details and curriculum vitae; a description of the research being conducted; a list of published research work relevant to the research in question; and at least two references from tutors or teachers.

The Young Scientist Award is presented by the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic of Estonia and it will be funded by Skype Estonia for the next three years. The award is given once a year, in January.

All application documents should be sent to the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic at Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn or e-mailed in digitally signed form to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The Cultural Foundation collates the documents and presents them to the Board. The recipient of the award is selected by the Board along with a representative of Skype Estonia.

The Board of the Cultural Foundation may, if they so wish or if required, consult scientists and lecturers as well as other experts before nominating the recipient of the award.

Previous laureates:

2016 – Sharemind data processing system author, developer and implementer Dan Bogdanov

The Award was reinstated on the initiative of the Estonian Literary Museum and with the support of the President’s Cultural Foundation in 1993, and the first awards were issued in February 1994. The average amount of the financial award shall be decided by the President proceeding from the relevant proposal of the Literary Museum. The awards are handed over on a festive assembly in the Literary Museum by the President of the Republic or his representative.

The renewed Folklore Collection Award of the President of the Republic has been awarded to:

1994

Ago Aava (Tallinn) for his contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for his continuous contribution since 1985.
Evi Anni-Adder (Harju County) for her contribution in 1993 and since 1981.
Kaleph Jõulu (Viljandi County) for his professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for his continuous contribution since 1990.
Ella Kaljuvee (Lääne-Viru County) for her professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for her continuous contribution since 1981.
Enda Kallas (Pärnu County) for her professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for her continuous contribution since 1981.
Rosalie Karjam (Kihnu) for her professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1992 and 1993.
Eduard Leppik (Lääne-Viru County) for his professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for his continuous contribution since 1971.
Elmar Lossmann (Suure-Jaani) for his professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for his continuous contribution since 1985.
Ester Talussaar (Tallinn) for her professional contribution to the field of folklore in 1993 and for her continuous contribution since 1988.

1995

Marju Kõivupuu for her professional writings and recordings from Rõuge and Hargla parish, for organising a joint expedition for the students of Viljandi Culture College and the University of Tartu.
Aleksander Sünter (Saaremaa) for recording the traditions and legends of his home parish.
Heiki Valk (Tartu) for recording the older traditions and legends of Setumaa.

1996

Helmi Laars (Juuru) for her study entitled Mahtra küla ajaloost /On the history of the village of Mahtra/.
Kaleph Jõulu (Viljandi County & Rapla County) for his professional and diverse writings (200 pages, photos, letters and old songbooks).
Ülis Sõukand (Tartu) for recording modern traditions and legends (soldiers’ folklore, students’ folklore and the songs of fraternities and sororities).
Indrek Kaimer (Tallinn) posthumously for the folklore collected from Estonians in Siberia in 1995.

1997

Harvet Toots (Tõstamaa & Tallinn) for his work Pildikesi Peda ühikast Pärnu maanteelt /Sketches from the Dormitory of Tallinn Pedagogical Institute on Pärnu Highway/.
Kaleph Jõulu (Viljandi County & Rapla County) for excellent professional writing (ca 700 manuscript pages and photos).

1998

Ahto Raudoja (Setumaa) for the collection of Seto traditions and legends and for organising the collection thereof.
Jaan Malin (Tartu) for his continuous work in recording student folklore, especially that of the Building Association of the Students of Estonia (EÜE).
Leida Oeselg (Saaremaa) for recording the traditions and legends of her local area (Sõrve) and for recording modern folklore (mainly anecdotes).

1999

Leida Oeselg (Saaremaa & Tartu County) for her varied folklore records (654 pages).
Pille Niin (Tartu) for the folklore-related writings gathered in Kullamaa parish in 1997 and 1998.
Eduard Leppik (Lääne-Viru County) for his historical and cultural work.

2000

Enda Kallas (Häädemeeste) for the tales, funny stories, family legends, historical and cultural writings and photos sent during the year.
Ain Raal (Tartu) for recording the traditions and legends of Seto accordion-players.
Kadi Salu (Tartu) for recording the traditions and legends of the Building Association of the Students of Estonia.

2001

Piret Päär (Tallinn) for organising and carrying out the folklore collection contest Pöidlaküüdilood /Hitch-hiking stories/.
Veronika Savi (Tallinn) for organising and carrying out the folklore collection contest Pöidlaküüdilood /Hitch-hiking stories/.
Melika Kindel (Tartu) for the collection of place legends of Kuusalu parish and for organising the collection thereof.

2002

Leida Oeselg (Saaremaa & Võru) for recording modern birthday, birth, wedding and funeral traditions.
Liina Paales (Tartu) for recording the traditions and legends of deaf Estonians (manuscript and video).
Hans-Gunter Lock (Germany) for recording Seto song traditions.

2003

Heinrich (Heinz) Valk (Tallinn) for a collection of 61 handwritten albums. The albums were collected from 1962-2002 from Harju County, Lääne County and the island of Hiiumaa.
Pärtel Lippus (Tartu) for his sound recordings of the history of folklore and modern Santa Clause legends from the Viljandi Folk Festival and social sing-alongs.

2004

Anu Soon (Lääne-Viru County) for recording the traditions and legends of her local area.
Kail Sarv (Tallinn) for recording the student folklore at Viljandi Culture College and Tallinn University of Technology.

2005

Helgi Suluste (Tartu) for her study of musicians in the Ranna and Kodavere region.
Merlin Lõiv (Tartu) for collecting the traditions and legends of the Defence Forces of Estonia.

2006

Jüri Metssalu (Rapla County) for collecting the traditions and legends of his home place and for the study thereof.
Tiit Birkan (Harju County) for his long-term contribution to the field of folklore (since 1981 he has submitted more than 750 pages of handwritten materials to the archive).

2007

Kaleph Jõulu (Viljandi County) for collecting stories, religious stories and stories about customs and songs; for his valuable contribution in terms of collecting photos and postcards.
Risto Järv (Tartu) for collecting folklore-related materials in Järva County, Setumaa, Kullamaa and from the Estonians living in Siberia; for supervising the fieldwork of students from the University of Tartu.

2008

Jaan Malin – (Tartu) for recording student folklore and other modern materials.
Anna Rinne – (Võru) for collecting materials about birthday and funeral traditions in a professional manner and with good wording and for collecting Soviet-era beliefs and stories about Christmas and beliefs related to people’s first names.
Maret Lehto – (Tallinn) for recording folk singers and story-tellers on the island of Muhu and for the accurate forming of the materials; she is the leader of the Muhu folklore group called ‘Munukesed’.

2009

Taisto-Kalevi Raudalainen – (Tallinn) for collecting folklore in Ingria and from Ingrian-Finns living elsewhere.
Urmas Haud – (Tartu) for collecting materials about the folklore and history of the villages of Riisa and Tõramaa and for drawing up the family trees of the villagers of Riisa and making them available on the Internet.

2010

Kaie Humal – (Tartu) for collecting the traditions and legends of the areas around Lake Võrtsjärv.
Hille Tarto – (Tallinn) for storing materials gathered during a survey of herbs.

2011

Maire Sala – (Karksi-Nuia) for storing information about modern-day funeral customs and burial site traditions.
Anni Oraveer – (Haapsalu) for storing the traditions and legends of the community of blind Estonians and for storing stories in the Seto dialect.
Ellen Randoja – (Palamuse) for collecting the folksongs and folk stories of the northern part of Tartu County; for collecting the traditions and legends of the World War II period and post-war period as well as the traditions and legends of the collective farm period; for collecting colourful tales and funny stories from local people.

2012

Leelo Kund - (Co-operation and Development Chamber Võhandu) for collected materials on religion and consuetudinary from Setomaa.
Margit Korotkova - (Co-operation and Development Chamber Võhandu) for collected materials on religion and consuetudinary from Setomaa.
Triin Kusmin - (State Forest Management Centre) for the collection of heritage forest culture.
Age-Kristel Kartau – for the collection materials on professional heritage and alternative medicine.

2013

Kaie Humal – (Tartu) for consistent recording of folklore in the area of Lake Võrtsjärv from 2011–2012.
Triin Äärismaa-Unt – (Jõelähtme) for management and implementation of the project titled "Collection of oral folk heritage in the Jõelähtme district" from 2011–2012.
Rosaali (Roosi) Karjam – (Kihnu) for long-term and consistent recording of Kihnu folklore.

2014

Hillar Palamets – for lengthy and consistent collection efforts spanning 1991–2013
Terje Puistaja – for family history interviews from the village of Mahu in Virumaa
Ado Seire – for local history interviews and a collection of Soviet-era jokes from the Peetri parish in Järvamaa

2015

Eha Võso – for her remarkable contribution to the folklore gathering initiative in 2014
Katre Koppel and Liis Reha – for their coordination and performance of the project of the Viljandi Cultural Academy of the University of Tartu aimed at cultural heritage gathering, as well as for their processing of the gathered materials, from 2011-2014
Anne Rebane – for her continuous perpetuation of her family traditions

The Young Cultural Figure Award, 5,000 Euros, is intended for an Estonian cultural figure aged 35 or younger, whose accomplishments in the field of creative arts have won wide recognition or who has, with his or her works or activities in the field of creative arts, considerably contributed to making Estonia and Estonian culture known in the world.

The award is issued once a year, in spring.

For application, the following documents shall be submitted:

- a written application with personal data and a short CV (name, address, education, professional career);
- a description of creative work;
- recommendations by at least two recognised cultural figures or an artistic association and one recognised cultural figure.

Candidates may be nominated by young cultural figures themselves and their supervisors, teachers, employers, and all associations operating in the field of culture, etc., as well as members of the Board of the Cultural Foundation.

All documents relevant for application for the Award shall be submitted to the President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation (A.Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn).

The Young Cultural Figure Award was created in 2002 by Toomas Luman, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Cultural Foundation. He also financed the award from 2002-2011.

The Young Cultural Figure Award of the Cultural Foundation is financed by Indrek Neivelt.

Previous laureates:

2002 - Tõnu Kõrvits, composer; Culture Foundation Award – folk musician Krista Sildoja
2003 - Jan Kaus, literary critic
2004 - Anu Tali, conductor
2005 - Jaanus Rohumaa, actor and theatre director
2006 - Helena Tulve, composer
2007 - Luana Georg, ballerina
2008 - Kristiina Ehin, poet
2009 - Marius Peterson, actor and theatre director
2010 - editor of the Ööülikool (Night University) series Jaan Tootsen
2011 - conductor Risto Joost, special award to the poet, essayist, translator and individual who is shaping a society liberated from prejudice Igor Kotjuh
2012 - jewel artist Tanel Veenre
2013 - pianist Mihkel Poll
2014 - dramatist Eero Epner, special award to gallerist Olga Temnikova
2015 - folk musician Jalmar Vabarna

The President of the Republic’s Educational Award can be presented to people connected with the field of education at all levels of study, who have achieved outstanding results as teachers, faculty members, directors of educational institutions, compilers of textbooks and methodological materials, by initiating and implementing practical innovations in the field of education, or developing educational policy as an education official.

Nominations can be submitted by the people who correspond to the aforementioned requirements themselves, or by their employers, educational institutions, as well as associations dealing with the field of education. Suitable candidates can also be submitted by the members of the Cultural Foundation’s supervisory board.

In order to nominate a candidate, the following must be submitted: a written application with personal information (name, address, education, and work experience), a detailed description of the activities being submitted for the award along with recommendations from the candidate’s employer or working collective, professional, occupational or specialized association(s). These documents should be sent to the President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation at A. Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn, or with a digital signature by e-mail to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation shall choose three award winners from the applicants. If necessary, the Cultural Foundation may ask experts from other fields of activity for advice and recommendations on assigning the award.

The decision to present the award is made on a consensual basis and coordinated with the Estonian branch of Danske Bank A/S (hereinafter, Danske Bank).

The prize is awarded every autumn.

It is valued at 12,000 euros and is divided between three recipients. The prize is sponsored by Danske Bank, which undertook to continue funding the prize for three years after entering into the sponsorship agreement.

The awards shall be presented by the President of the Republic.

Laureates to date:

(From 2003 to 2008, the Educational Award was financed by Hansapank)

2003

Tarmo Kerstna – a long-time teacher and teaching methodologist, also a long-time headmaster of Ülenurme Secondary School and educational leader
Kersti Nigesen – Headmistress of the Old Town Educational College, creator of a new type of educational institution and a unique model of education
Martin Ehala – Head of the Chair of Estonian Language at the Tallinn Pedagogical University, Professor, author of reference books and textbooks

2004

Jüri Vene – a long-time schoolmaster, teacher in Miina Härma Secondary School
Tiia-Ester Loitme – Head of the Ellerhein Children’s Choir from 1989. Excellent music teacher, internationally renowned choir conductor and teacher of school music
Irene Käosaar ja Peeter Mehisto – leaders of a successful language bathing programme, introducers of new language learning methods in Estonia

2005

Lauri Leesi – Headmasster of the Tallinn French Secondary School, for introducing a humanist view in teaching and education process
Inge Unt – Professor Emeritus, Tartu University, founder of the Estonian school of didactics
Evald Laprik – a long-time educational leader, founder of the Union of Estonian School Headmasters

2006

Helgi Uudelepp – teacher of mathematics, Gustav Adolf Secondary School
Mart Kuurme – teacher of physics; Tallinn Secondary Science School
Rein Grünbach – teacher of art, C. R. Jakobson Secondary School, Viljandi

2007

Tiina Talvi – biology teacher and headmistress, Lümanda Main School
Ene Jakobson – the founder and long-time leader of the dance ensemble "Sõleke"
Vladimir Ossipov – teacher of chemistry, Tallinn 53rd Secondary School

2008

Nora Mals - Russian language teacher at the Tallinn Secondary Science School
Ülle Liiber - trains geography teachers at the University of Tartu
Urve Krause - the director at the Pärnu Kuninga Street Basic School

2009

Urmas Kokassaar – biology didactics lecturer at the Science Education Centre of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Tartu
Terje Varul – teacher of Estonian language and literature at Kolga Secondary School
Heli Adamovitš – the director of Päikene kindergarten in Narva

2010

Leili Sägi – Pärnu Russian Secondary School, teacher of Estonian language and literature
Villu Baumann – Haapsalu Sanatorium Boarding School, work and technology teacher
Maia Lilje – Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn, teacher of music history

2011

Viivi Maanso – Tallinn University, Senior Lecturer Emeritus
Andres Talts – Tallinn Secondary Science School, teacher of mathematics
Reet Noorlaid – Tartu Miina Härma Secondary School, teacher of English

2012

Aime Punga – Director of Studies at Hugo Treffner Secondary School
Toom Õunapuu – Pedagogy researcher, methodologist in Estonian language teaching and textbook author
Urve Keskküla – Exercise group instructor at Tallinn Nõmme Youth House, member of the artistic board of gymnastics and dance parties and designer and director of gymnastics programmes

2013

Tiiu Peäske – Head of the String Section at the Tallinn Music Secondary School, long-term violin teacher and famous tutor of interpretation performers
Epp Vodja – Executive Director of the Junior Achievement Eesti Foundation, teaches economics and business at the 21st Secondary School in Tallinn, Manager of the Pupil Firms Programme
Mart Noorma – Head of the Centre for Development of Studying and Teaching at the University of Tartu, Academic Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, initiator and leader of the student satellite project, science propagator

2014

Kadri Leppoja – music teacher at the Miina Härma Upper Secondary School in Tartu. Her choir singers have participated in many musical productions and the choirs have been invited to numerous national events.
Väino Ratassepp – active and very experienced educationalist and chemistry teacher. He has been engaged in the development of chemistry curricula for basic and secondary schools, has published countless articles on chemistry and chemistry workbooks for general education schools, as well as 12 chemistry textbooks.
Galina Trofimova – head of the technology studies section of the Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Centre. She has developed and popularised those specialties in the sphere of vocational education that are uniquely characteristic of the Ida-Viru County: miner, chemical processes operator, industrial technologist.

2015

Lilian Tambek teaches physics at the Viljandi Vocational Training Centre. She has worked in education for 52 years and has a degree in didactics of physics. In 2014 she founded the Taibukate Teaduskool non-profit association, which has gained popularity and enticed interest in real life sciences and natural sciences among many pupils.
Hele Kiisel has been teaching mathematics at Hugo Treffner Upper Secondary School for many years, she is a teacher-methodician and propagator of educated life. In addition to teaching, she has initiated and carried out several educational innovations with a positive effect across Estonia. Hele Kiisel has been one of the main supporters of the traditional Five School Competition in real life sciences. She heads the School Mathematics Association of the Estonian Mathematics Society, takes active part in various mathematical book publications, and works with the University of Tartu and the Tallinn Technical University in the field of teacher training.
Hendrik Agur is the headmaster of Gustav Adolf Upper Secondary School. He has implemented at the school the system of subject chairs, involving all teachers in the process of vital decision-making and school management, thus raising the quality of education. He has initiated the introduction of several technological solutions that included for the first time in Estonia an electronic pupil ID and a mobile pupil ID, as well as different new solutions aimed at diversifying the learning process and making it more interesting.

In the context of the President of the Republic’s Special Physical Sciences Award, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, bioinformatics and gene technology are considered physical sciences.

As an exception, the supervisory board of the President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation may decide to give the award for work in another educational discipline that corresponds to the nature and intent of the special award.

For this purpose, the applicant for the special award shall submit an application to the supervisory board with the required documents, which includes relevant argumentation that affects the assignment of the award.

The President of the Republic's Special Physical Sciences Award may be presented to people:

who have excelled as teachers and/or faculty members of physical sciences at any educational stage;
whose students have been recognized in international competitions or achieved good results in physical sciences competitions;
who have compiled physical sciences textbooks and methodological materials;
who in the course of teaching physical sciences have initiated and implemented practical innovations.

Nominations can be submitted by the people who correspond to the aforementioned requirements themselves, or by their employers, educational institutions, as well as associations dealing with the field of education. Candidates can also be submitted by students or university students, as well as student and university student organizations or councils. Suitable candidates can also be submitted by the members of the Cultural Foundation’s supervisory board.

In order to nominate a candidate, the following must be submitted:

a written application with personal information (name, address, education, and work experience);
a detailed description of the activities being submitted for the special award along with recommendations from the candidate's employer or working collective, professional, occupational or specialized association(s).

These documents should be sent to the President of the Republic's Cultural Foundation at A. Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn, or with a digital signature by e-mail to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation has the right to ask for additional information about the candidate from the applicant’s school, educational institution, professional association or other such organizations.

If necessary, the Cultural Foundation may ask experts from other fields of activity for advice and recommendations on assigning the award.

The supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation shall choose the recipient of the special award from among the nominated candidates. The decision shall be coordinated with Skype Eesti.

The special prize is awarded every autumn.

It is valued at 4,000 euros. The award is sponsored by Skype Estonia, which has undertaken to continue doing so for at least the next three years.

The special awards shall be presented by the President of the Republic.

Laureates to date:

2009

Mikhail Gusev – teacher of mathematics at Tallinna Tõnismäe Secondary Science School

2010

Allar-Reinhold Veelmaa - teacher of mathematics at Loo Secondary School

2011

Hilja Afanasjeva – the School of Science of the University of Tartu, methodologist

2012

Elmu Mägi – Physics teacher at Pärnu Koidula Secondary School

2013

Jaan Kalda – physicist, Senior Researcher of the Institute of Cybernetics at the Tallinn University of Technology, pedagogical leader of the Estonian team at international physics Olympiads

2014

Indrek Peil – physics teacher and educational methodology specialist at the Saaremaa Coeducational Upper Secondary School. He initiated and has been tirelessly organising the nationwide pupil conference Saaremaa Mini Days of Science, which has greatly boosted the interest in science among 6-12th form pupils.

2015

Erkki Tempel teaches chemistry and physics at Miina Härma Upper Secondary School on the basis of the Estonian national curriculum and chemistry in English to pupils studying on the basis of an international curriculum.

1. Anu Kaljurand, Estonian Olympic Committee
2. Gerd Kanter, Olympic discus champion
3. Õnne Pollisinski, Meduus Sports Club
4. Heli Suvi, Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia

The First Lady’s Foundation

STATUTES

1. The President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation has the right to present awards and scholarships with a specific purpose that are related to Estonian culture, education or research work.
The Cultural Foundation may appropriate various grants in the given fields of activity.

2. The Cultural Foundation has established the First Lady’s Foundation along with an advisory board that manages the foundation. The First Lady’s Foundation is directed at charity and focuses primarily on the social sphere.

3. The motivation for establishing the First Lady’s Foundation is the fact that a large number of Estonian families live under the poverty level and their children lack the conditions for developing their abilities, for receiving the appropriate training and implementing their mental potential in their future life. The First Lady’s Foundation supports the education of children from the least privileged families, as well as children and families in extraordinary circumstances, the elderly, disabled people or other people in need of assistance.

4. The First Lady’s Foundation comprises contributions from private individuals, companies or organizations and must report to the supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation once a year.

5. Donors may designate a social sphere or target group for their donations, which may also be designated by name.

6. The advisory board of the First Lady’s Foundation comprises donors or their representatives and recognized experts.

The President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation

2009

Oliver Kips and Kristina Morozjuk - ballroom dancers
Erika Kirpu - fencer
Anete Paulus - footballer

2010

Liina Laasma - track and field athlete
Kristjan Ilves - ski jumper and biathlonist
Eric Tött - swimmer

Saskia Alusalu - speed skater
Keit Jaanimägi - swimmer
13 young athletes of FC Levadia Football Academy: Kaspar Mutso, Markus Arak, Mark Edur, Mart Kaasik, Kevin Kaljumäe, Cristofer Kuusma, Martin Käos, Martin Nõukas, Silver Nõukas, Siim Morten Ojasalu, Kaspar Raid, Samuel Saadoja, Magnar Vainumäe

2011

Nanette Christine and Naomi Charlotta Andersson – figure skaters
Sten Christian Taal – sailor
Elisabeth Egel – swimmer

Rebeca Lotta Aasmäe – judoka, skier and athlete
Tanel Paabo – karateka
Jorgen Liiv – athlete

2012

Anette Remmelg - swimmer
Roberta Mikk - swimmer
Kaur Kivistik - track and field athlete

Reena Koll - track and field athlete
Jüri-Mikk Udam - rower

2013

Erik Kangilaski – cyclist
Ksenia Belomestnova – underwater swimmer
Viktoria Lohk – table tennis player
Robin Liksor – swimmer
Matz Topkin – swimmer
Brenda Tilk – swimmer
Leon Bauer – swimmer

Rasmus Haugasmägi – water motorsports
Marie Pihlas – sailing
Margit Kalk – athletics
Janika Gymnastics Club youth group Diamonds: Marleen Ereline, Marleen Viinapuu, Marleen Kääroja, Marian Roomet, Anni Liis Hoop, Hanna-Liina Sukk, Helena Seliste, Annela Seliste

2014

Meril Beilmann – biathlete
Henri Nael – tennis player
Martin Paakspuu – track and field athlete
Estonian junior women's épée team: Veronika Zuikova, Gaia-Marianna Siim, Anu Hark and Katrina Lehis

Mai Narva – chess player
Siim Helmoja – orienteer
Maria Rein – swimmer

Starting from 2015 the sub-fund of the Cultural Fund of the President of the Republic and Nordea Pank will no longer be issuing the Young Athlete of the Year award.