About the project

The Estonian Reading Association EstRA  is funded with 30 000 EUR by Enterprise Estonia (EIS) from the European Union Cohesion Policy funds to organise the 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Literacy: Literacy Environment-Environmental literacy .

The aim of the conference is to strengthen the teaching of literacy in the Baltic Sea region and beyond. By bringing together educators, policymakers, and researchers, it supports the development of collaborative networks and the implementation of evidence-based literacy strategies.

The aim of the conference is to bring together the latest theoretical perspectives and best practices in the field of literacy from around the world, while also showcasing the success story of Estonian education — including the integration of literacy with sustainability and environmentally conscious social values.

A broader objective is to deepen international cooperation and initiate joint activities such as research, projects, and the exchange of experience.

Expected outcomes of the conference:

• Enhanced knowledge and skills among participants in promoting literacy and environmental literacy.

• Strengthened collaboration between educational institutions in the Baltic Sea region.

• Wider dissemination of research findings through conference presentations and online materials.

• International collaborative initiatives for sharing experiences, methods, tools, and resources.

Expected outcomes in terms of increasing Estonia’s visibility:

The project supports the objectives and outcomes of the funding programme by taking place outside the peak tourist season (in October), and is expected to attract at least 220 international participants from a minimum of thirty countries across at least three continents, each staying a minimum of three nights.

Marketing the conference through the International Literacy Association (literacyworldwide.org) will raise global awareness of Estonia as a destination, while the umbrella organisation, the Federation of European Literacy Associations (literacyeurope.org), will help promote the event across 30 European countries. Targeted outreach will be directed at educational professionals in neighbouring countries such as Latvia and Finland, where the likelihood of return visits is highest.

The geographical distribution of conference activities — including a satellite event in Narva and multiple venues and associated activities in Tallinn within educational and cultural institutions — will encourage participants to engage more widely with local services and make use of diverse purchasing opportunities.