Development Co‑operation Profiles: Estonia
Table of contents
Estonia’s vision for development co-operation is to contribute to eradicating poverty and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by sharing its knowledge and experience. Estonia focuses its co‑operation on partner countries in its neighbourhood, including by scaling up assistance to Ukraine, and has priority partners in sub-Saharan Africa. Its development co-operation is widely recognised for drawing on Estonia’s expertise in digital technology and education. Estonia’s total official development assistance (ODA) decreased in 2024 to USD 83.4 million (preliminary data), representing 0.20% of gross national income (GNI).
This profile presents verified data on development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles.
The Estonian Foreign Policy Strategy 2030 signals Estonia’s growing contribution to global sustainable development as an objective of its foreign policy. The success of Estonia’s development co-operation and humanitarian assistance are central to one of its three pillars of foreign policy: security, stability of international relations and sustainable development. The government’s Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Strategy 2024-2030 upholds Estonia’s continuous support to existing priority partner countries in the Eastern Partnership region, in particular Ukraine. Thematic priorities include strengthening governance and human rights, promoting quality education, contributing to economic development, empowering civil society, and ensuring peace and stability. The strategy reiterates Estonia’s commitment to reach the 0.33% target by 2030. Estonia’s regional strategy for Africa for 2020-2030 focuses primarily on digital transformation, e-governance, innovation and the green transition.
Estonia is one of the founders of the European Union’s Digital4Development Hub and is actively involved in the European Union’s support for the digitalisation of Ukraine. Estonia has initiated reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and completed several projects. Since 2022, Estonia has significantly increased its development and humanitarian aid to Ukraine to mitigate the consequences of Russia’s aggression and support reform.
Estonia provided USD 83.4 million (preliminary data) of ODA in 2024 (USD 80.7 million in constant terms), representing 0.2% of GNI.1 This was a decrease of 26.3% in real terms in volume and a decrease in the share of GNI from 2023, due to a drop in in-donor refugee costs. Estonia is making progress towards its European-level commitment to reach a 0.33% ODA/GNI ratio by 2030. Estonia provided all of its ODA as grants in 2023.2
In 2024, Estonia ranked 27th among Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries when ODA is taken as a share of GNI. In 2023, it continued to have one of the highest shares of total gross ODA attributed to in-donor refugee costs (56.8%) due to an unprecedented volume of Ukrainian refugees in Estonia, albeit a lower share than in 2022.
Estonia has committed to several international targets and DAC standards and recommendations. Learn more about DAC Recommendations.
Note: This table only includes information about ODA data-related DAC Recommendations. ODA: official development assistance; GNI: gross national income; DAC: Development Assistance Committee.
Estonia provided a slightly higher share of its ODA bilaterally in 2023. Gross bilateral ODA was 54.3% of total ODA disbursements. Five per cent of gross bilateral ODA was channelled through multilateral organisations (earmarked contributions).
In 2023, Estonia provided USD 53.1 million of gross ODA to the multilateral system, an increase of 4.2% in real terms from 2022. Of this, USD 50 million was core multilateral ODA (45.7% of total ODA), while USD 3.1 million was non-core contributions earmarked for a specific country, region, theme or purpose. Project-type funding earmarked for a specific theme and/or country accounted for 7.9% of Estonia’s non-core contributions and 92.1% was programmatic funding (to pooled funds and specific-purpose programmes and funds).
The United Nations (UN) system received 9.7% of Estonia’s contributions to multilateral organisations, of which USD 2.1 million (41.7%) represented earmarked contributions. Out of a total volume of USD 5.1 million to the UN system, the top three UN recipients of Estonia’s support (core and earmarked contributions) were the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (USD 1.7 million), the UN Secretariat (USD 0.6 million) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (USD 0.5 million).
See the section on Geographic, sectoral and thematic focus of ODA for the breakdown of bilateral allocations, including ODA earmarked through the multilateral development system.
Learn more by exploring the dashboard on DAC members’ use of the multilateral system.
In 2023, Estonia’s bilateral spending declined compared to the previous year. It provided USD 59.5 million of gross bilateral ODA (which includes earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations). This represented a decrease of 65.9% in real terms from 2022.
In 2023, country programmable aid amounted to USD 10.8 million, or 18.1% of Estonia’s gross bilateral ODA, compared to the DAC country average of 43.1%. In-donor refugee costs were USD 33.8 million in 2023, representing 56.8% of Estonia’s gross bilateral ODA. This was a decrease of 77.9% in real terms over 2022.
In 2023, Estonia channelled its bilateral ODA mainly through the public sector, public-private partnerships and the private sector. Technical co-operation made up 0.8% of gross ODA in 2023.
In 2023, civil society organisations (CSOs) received USD 4.3 million of gross bilateral ODA, of which 3.3% was directed to developing country-based CSOs. Overall, 0.8% of gross bilateral ODA was allocated to CSOs as core contributions and 6.4% was channelled through CSOs to implement projects initiated by the donor (earmarked funding). From 2022 to 2023, the combined core and earmarked contributions for CSOs increased as a share of bilateral ODA, from 4.2% to 7.2%. Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid.
In 2023, Estonia’s bilateral ODA primarily focused on ODA-eligible countries in Europe. USD 11.2 million was allocated to ODA-eligible countries in Europe (of which 91% was for Ukraine) and USD 2.4 million to countries in Africa, accounting respectively for 18.8% and 4% of gross bilateral ODA. USD 1.7 million was allocated to Asia (excluding the Middle East). Asia (excluding the Middle East) was also the main regional recipient of Estonia’s earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations.
In 2023, 24.2% of gross bilateral ODA went to Estonia’s top 10 recipients. Its top 10 recipients are in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The share of gross bilateral ODA not allocated by country was 73.8%, of which 77% consisted of expenditures for processing and hosting refugees in provider countries.
In 2023, Estonia allocated 0.02% of its GNI to the least developed countries (LDCs). Estonia allocated the highest share of gross bilateral ODA (18.8%) to lower middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2023, noting that 73.8% was unallocated by income group. LDCs received 2.1% of Estonia’s gross bilateral ODA (USD 1.3 million). Additionally, Estonia allocated 2.3% of gross bilateral ODA to land-locked developing countries in 2023, equal to USD 1.4 million.
Looking at the distribution of Estonia’s ODA in relation to “ODA per person in extreme poverty”,3 the amount was USD 0.02 in ODA in LDCs, USD 0.1 in LMICs and USD 0.2 in upper middle-income countries.
In 2024, Estonia provided USD 16.2 million of net bilateral ODA to Ukraine to respond to the impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a 53.4% increase from 2023 in real terms. USD 1.6 million of the amount was humanitarian assistance in 2024, a 46.6% decrease from 2023.
Support to contexts with high and extreme fragility was USD 2.4 million in 2023, representing 4.1% of Estonia’s gross bilateral ODA. Forty-eight per cent of this ODA was provided in the form of humanitarian assistance, an increase from 30.3% in 2022, while 10.3% was allocated to peace, a decrease from 13.2% in 2022. Six per cent of gross bilateral ODA went to conflict prevention, a subset of contributions to peace, representing a decrease from 10.4% in 2022. Learn more about the OECD States of Fragility platform.
In 2023, more than half of Estonia’s bilateral ODA was allocated to other macro sectors. Investments in this area accounted for 69.7% of bilateral ODA commitments (USD 41.7 million), primarily for support to refugees in donor countries (USD 33.8 million) and administrative costs of donors (USD 6.8 million). ODA for social infrastructure and services totalled USD 8.4 million, with a focus on education (USD 4.2 million). Humanitarian assistance amounted to USD 4.7 million (7.9% of bilateral ODA). Earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations also focused on social sectors and other macro sectors in 2023.
In the period 2022-23, Estonia committed 4.8% of screened bilateral allocable ODA to gender equality and women’s empowerment, compared to 9.2% in 2020-214 and a 2022-23 DAC average of 45.8%. This is equal to USD 0.5 million of screened bilateral allocable ODA in support of gender equality on average per year. In addition:
The share of screened bilateral allocable ODA committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment as a principal objective was 1.6% in 2022-23, compared with the DAC average of 4%.
Estonia includes gender equality objectives in 2.4% of ODA for humanitarian aid, below the 2022‑23 DAC average of 19.1%.
Estonia screens the majority of bilateral allocable ODA activities against the DAC gender equality policy marker (70.4% in 2022-23).
Estonia committed USD 0 million of ODA to end violence against women and girls and USD 0 million to support women’s rights organisations and movements, and government institutions on average in 2022-23.
Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance and the DAC Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation in Development Co-operation, and by exploring the dashboard on DAC members’ development finance for gender equality.
In 2022-23, Estonia committed 10.6% of its total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 1.5 million) in support of the environment and the Rio Conventions, up from 7.9% in 2020-21. The DAC average was 39% in 2022-23. In addition:
Twelve per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA focused on environmental issues as a principal objective, compared with the DAC average of 9.6%.
Eleven per cent of total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 1.5 million) focused on climate change overall, up from 4.8% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 34.8%). Estonia had a greater focus on mitigation (13.7%) than on adaptation (11.9%) in 2022-23.
Eight per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA (USD 0.8 million) focused on biodiversity overall, up from 0.4% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 7.6%).
Learn more about the DAC Declaration on Aligning Development Co-operation with the Goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Note: Individual Rio Markers should not be added up as this can result in double counting.
In 2023, Estonia:
Allocated 0.5% of its bilateral ODA (USD 0.3 million) to core poverty-reducing sectors as defined by SDG 1.a.1. This indicator captures grants to basic social services (such as basic health and education, water supply and sanitation) and development food aid. In addition, 0.4% of bilateral ODA (USD 0.2 million) went to social protection support.
Does not seek exemptions regarding the payment of local tax and customs duties for ODA-funded goods and services. It does not have a general policy and does not make information available on the OECD Digital Transparency Hub on the Tax Treatment of ODA.
Committed USD 2.7 million (14.1% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to promote aid for trade and improve developing countries’ trade performance and integration into the world economy in 2023.
Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) is an international statistical standard that monitors and increases transparency of all official and officially supported resources for financing the SDGs in developing countries, as well as for addressing global challenges. In 2023, activities reported by Estonia as TOSSD totalled USD 599.6 million, up from USD 225.3 million in 2022. Estonia’s TOSSD activities mostly targeted SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). Activity-level data on TOSSD by recipient are available at: https://tossd.online.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the key institution responsible for managing and co-ordinating Estonian development co-operation and humanitarian assistance, as stipulated by the Government of the Republic Act. Estonia’s development co-operation system was significantly reorganised within the framework of the development co-operation reform in 2020-22. The reorganisation streamlined and improved the effectiveness of the development co-operation administration by separating policy making from implementation. It also established clear lines of authority and delineated roles within the system. The reform culminated in 2021, establishing the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). ESTDEV is a government-funded foundation responsible for managing and implementing Estonia’s development co-operation and NEXUS projects.
In 2023, Estonia had 12 staff based in Estonia and 3 locally employed staff working for the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 28 staff working at ESTDEV in headquarters and 4 in partner countries. Five Estonian staff members are on missions to Brussels, Geneva, New York and Paris and are also working on development co-operation. These numbers do not include staff working part time on development co-operation across the government.
Regular dialogue with CSOs to set up Estonian policy priorities and strategies through the Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ) helps build member organisations’ capacity based on their needs. AKÜ representatives are present on both the Estonian Commission for Sustainable Development’s and ESTDEV’s Governing Boards and will also be included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ advisory council.
Internal systems and processes help ensure the effective delivery of Estonia’s development co-operation. Select features are shown in the table below.
Access the full list of providers at this link: Development Co-operation Profiles.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia: https://vm.ee/en
Estonian Center for International Development: https://www.estdev.ee/?lang=en
Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ): https://www.terveilm.ee/leht/english
Estonia’s practices on the Development Co-operation Tools Insights Practices (TIPs): https://oe.cd/5Zk
Estonia has been a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) since 2023.
The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied, including the grant-equivalent methodology, core and earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, country programmable aid, channels of delivery, bilateral ODA unspecified/unallocated, bilateral allocable ODA, the gender equality policy marker, and the environment markers.
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The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
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← 1. DAC members adopted the grant-equivalent methodology starting from their reporting of 2018 data as a more accurate way to count the donor effort in development loans. See the methodological notes for further details.
← 2. Non-grants include sovereign loans, multilateral loans, equity investment and loans to the private sector.
← 3. Aid per person in extreme poverty is calculated by dividing net ODA (bilateral and imputed multilateral) by the population in extreme poverty in each country. Group averages are calculated based on a weighted average of aid per person in extreme poverty and the number of people in extreme poverty for each country in the group. For more information on this indicator, please see here.
← 4. The use of the recommended minimum criteria for the marker by some members in recent years can result in lower levels of ODA reported as being focused on gender equality.