Managers of a bold, new government support scheme, which can cover up to 70% of conference costs, will begin accepting funding applications on December 21.
Under the programme, which is managed by Enterprise Estonia, organisers of large, international conferences in Estonia can have between 300,000 and 1 million EEK (€19,000 to €64,000) of their event costs reimbursed, provided they meet certain criteria.
The events have to be of an international nature, help raise Estonia’s profile as a travel destination, be at least three days in length, include a minimum of 300 overnight stays, and involve a local or regional sightseeing element. Only non-profit events are eligible for the scheme.
The aim of the programme is to promote Estonia as a conference destination and increase the number of overnight stays.
Funds from the program can be used to cover a full spectrum of conference-related expenses from organisation and marketing costs to printed materials.
The deadline for this round of applications is January 4, 2010. More calls will follow next year.
The programme is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. It will last through 2011 with a total budget of 23 million EEK, 10 million of which will be distributed in this first application round.
For more information and instructions on how to apply, e-mail Riine Tiigi of the Estonian Convention Bureau at riine.tiigi@ecb.ee or call her on +372 645 0029.
