The Estonian Worldwide Youth Network has released its November newsletter, with opportunities, events and invitations for young Estonians around the globe — including those Down Under.
Estonians have a remarkable talent for turning up in unexpected corners of the world. And wherever they land, there’s a reasonable chance they’ll eventually find another Estonian. Or, these days, a WhatsApp group full of them.
The Estonian Worldwide Youth Network (Ülemaailmne Eesti Noortevõrgustik, or ÜENV) is helping make those connections a little easier, bringing together young people with Estonian heritage across countries and occasionally rather inconvenient time zones.
🔗 Read the November ÜENV newsletter in Estonian or English
Before we venture around the world, let’s start a little closer to home. Because Australia isn’t just watching the international Estonian youth network from the sidelines — we’ve got people right in the middle of it!
ÜENV’s Youth Delegate Program (Noordelegaadi programm) brings together 30 young Estonians from 17 countries for six months of sharing stories, experiences and community activities. The program is now in its second round and, for the first time, is also being offered in English. And Australia has three enthusiastic young representatives, each bringing their own experiences, interests and ideas to the international table. Let’s meet them!
Madeleine Sarapuu (Adelaide)
Madeleine is no stranger to Adelaide’s Estonian community. She teaches folk dancing, belongs to the youth club and serves on the board of the Adelaide Estonian Society. She danced at Estonia’s 2025 Tantsupidu and is already looking forward to returning in 2028. When she’s not dancing, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering, with interests ranging from architecture and history to bog walking (strictly in Estonia, apparently!). After attending two Estonian youth programs this year, she hopes to help more young Australians discover and strengthen their Estonian connections.
Samson Sternhell (Brisbane)
Sydney-raised Samson now works as a fire safety engineer in Brisbane, but his curiosity about Estonia has taken him considerably further afield. His fascination began when a relative started researching his Estonian ancestors from Muhu, who made their way to Australia as sailors in the early 1900s. With Estonian, Scottish and Polish Jewish roots, Samson has quite the family history to explore! After participating in the Find Your Own Estonia program this year, he’s keen to put his enthusiasm for history, language and culture to good use by helping others connect with their Estonian heritage.
Pilvi Cook (Sydney)
Pilvi has been keeping Estonian traditions alive on both sides of the Baltic Sea — and now Down Under. Having lived in Finland, where she visited Estonia every year, she has been actively involved in both Finnish and Australian Estonian communities. A keen folk dancer and singer of Estonian songs, she also enjoys volleyball and Pilates, apparently leaving little room for boredom! Friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic about bringing people together, Pilvi hopes the Youth Delegate Program will help her strengthen and grow Australia’s Estonian community.
Fancy joining them? The Youth Delegate Program runs twice a year, with the next application round opening in early 2027. In the meantime, you can meet all 30 delegates, discover their stories and follow their adventures online.
🔗 Meet the ÜENV’s Youth Delegates here
What’s happening around the world?
Now that we’ve met our Australian representatives, let’s see what the rest of the world is up to. This month’s newsletter takes us on quite the international adventure — and we haven’t even had to pack a suitcase. Read the highlights below.
Learn stuff
- Spotting misinformation: On 15 November, ÜENV is hosting an online lecture with Priit Talv, editor-in-chief of Propastop, exploring propaganda, disinformation and the importance of critical thinking and media literacy.
- Exploring Estonian diaspora history: On 29 November, Ede Schank Tamkivi and Maja Soomägi will discuss Estonian migration, communities abroad and the stories that connect Estonians around the world.
Study stuff
- Scholarships for master’s students: Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is offering scholarships worth €4,500 each for eligible Estonian citizens researching topics including international relations, cybersecurity, digital diplomacy and climate policy. Applications close on 13 November.
- Helping a student researcher: Journalism student Doris Oriehovs is looking for young Estonians living abroad to complete a short questionnaire about their media consumption habits. Five questions, approximately two minutes. Even the busiest among us might manage that!
Find others (hint: WhatsApp)
Remember when finding fellow Estonians overseas involved knowing someone who knew someone at the local Estonian House? (The Stone Ages, yes.) Well, ÜENV has shared a collection of WhatsApp groups connecting young Estonians in London, Germany, Austria, Finland, the United States and beyond.
Umm… we did notice one rather conspicuous absence: Australia! Surely, there’s room for another group? Perhaps someone should start one. We’re not volunteering anyone, of course. Just planting a tiny seed…
Share your stuff
- Share your stories and photos: Tallinn’s Vabamu Museum is inviting Estonians abroad to contribute their stories and photographs to its “Estonia Worldwide” (Ilmaküla eestlased) exhibition. With more than 200 stories already collected, surely there’s room for a few more from Australia? We’ve certainly got enough material to keep a museum busy!
- A YouTube playlist: And if sharing family history isn’t quite your thing, how about sharing your favourite Estonian music instead? The network is inviting young Estonians to contribute their favourite Estonian songs and music videos to a shared YouTube playlist. Great opportunity to introduce the world to your favourite Estonian artists — or discover something new yourself.
And that’s just the beginning. The newsletter has plenty more interesting things to read, watch and discover.
Read more
Read the November ÜENV newsletter in Estonian or English here
Read about ÜENV on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Three days left to become a global Estonian youth delegate | HEIA
