Up to 75 000 euros for organising an international event in Estonia: EIS's new funding round opens on 31 August
A new funding opportunity will soon become available to organisers of international festivals, sports competitions or cultural events. On 31 August 2026, Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus (EIS) will open an application round for grants for international sports and cultural events, under which applicants can apply for 30 000–75 000 euros in funding per project.
The budget for the funding round is 525 000 euros, and EIS estimates that it will help support approximately seven international events. Applications may be submitted from 31 August at 9.00 until 14 October 2026 at 16.00.
However, the support is not intended for every large-scale event. The event must meet specific requirements regarding international scope, the number of foreign visitors, duration and international marketing.
Support at a glance
- Funding amount: 30 000–75 000 €
- Self-financing: at least 30% of the project's eligible costs
- Budget for the 2026 application round: 525 000 €
- Application period: 31.08.2026 at 9.00 – 14.10.2026 at 16.00
- The event must take place in Estonia
- Event duration: at least two consecutive days
- International visitors: at least 600 in Tallinn or at least 300 outside Tallinn
- The application must be submitted at least four months before the event takes place
- Total cost of project activities: up to 200 000 €, although the event's total budget may be higher.
Who is the international events funding intended for?
Support may be applied for by the event organiser, which may be:
- a company registered in Estonia;
- non-profit association;
- foundation;
- Estonian government agency;
- a local government unit or one of its agencies.
Therefore, the measure is not intended only for major festival organisers or sports federations. An applicant may also be a company registered in Estonia or MTÜ, provided that the event being organised meets the funding requirements.
What kind of event qualifies for funding?
One of the most important questions is what EIS considers an international event under this measure.
Funding can be applied for an international one-year sports or cultural event, which takes place in Estonia and helps increase the number of international visitors and Estonia's recognition as a travel destination.
1. The event must last at least two days
The event must take place according to a single programme over at least two consecutive days and substantive activities must take place on both days.
Therefore, it is not enough, for example, to add separate registration or a side activity on another day to a one-day main event—the programme must have meaningful content spanning at least two days.
2. There must be enough international visitors
The required minimum number of foreign visitors depends on where the event takes place.
In Tallinn: at least 600 international visitors.
Outside Tallinn: at least 300 international visitors.
This makes the funding particularly attractive to organisers of festivals, sports competitions and cultural events outside the capital, as the required number of international visitors is half as high there.
3. The event must be marketed in at least one foreign market
Being international alone is not enough.
The event's marketing activities must be planned for at least one foreign market. Visitors must also be provided with information about tourism opportunities in Estonia during the event.
This means that the application should address, for example:
- which countries visitors are expected to come from;
- which channels will be used to reach them;
- the languages in which marketing will be conducted;
- what the marketing and media plan is;
- how the event will be linked to promoting Estonia as a travel destination.
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4. At least two Estonian SMEs must be involved
At least two small or medium-sized enterprises serving foreign visitors must be involved in planning and carrying out the event.
In practice, businesses related to the event may include, for example, accommodation, transport, tourism or other companies serving visitors, but the eligibility of a specific partner should be checked against the grant conditions.
Very important: apply at least 4 months before the event
Organisers should pay particular attention to this requirement.
The application for support must be submitted at least four months before the event takes place.
This means that the grant cannot be used to finance a festival or competition taking place in the coming weeks or in a couple of months.
However, if the event is planned for 2027, it is worth reviewing the conditions now and preparing the necessary documents well in advance.
The earliest project start date may be the date on which the application is submitted. Activities must be completed within 24 months, but no later than 31 October 2029.
What can the support be used for?
The grant is not intended solely to cover the costs of organising the event itself. International marketing and attracting foreign visitors to Estonia are important components of the measure.
International marketing
The grant may be used, for example, for:
- preparations for international marketing;
- the salary of a marketing employee;
- the creation of advertisements;
- for translation and design;
- producing marketing materials;
- creating foreign-language websites for the event;
- participating in international trade fairs and other events held abroad;
- related transport, accommodation, participation and venue rental costs.
Expenses of people arriving from abroad who are involved in organising the event
The grant can also cover the transport and accommodation costs of persons arriving from abroad in connection with organising the event.
These may include, for example:
- performers;
- organisers;
- journalists.
Event organisation costs
Eligible costs may include, among others:
- performers’ fees;
- costs of technical equipment and supplies;
- rental of premises or land;
- event organisation services;
- security services;
- medical assistance;
- parking management;
- ensuring accessibility;
- translation services;
- creation and processing of photographic, audio and video recordings;
- international television and online broadcasts;
- collecting and analysing visitor statistics and feedback.
What cannot the support be used for?
Not all event-related costs are eligible.
EIS specifically points out that the grant cannot be used, for example, for:
- for catering expenses;
- the development of a new website;
- the costs of Estonian-language marketing materials;
- purchasing advertising space;
- transport and accommodation costs for athletes or competitors;
- activities that are unjustified or irrelevant to the project.
An important distinction should be noted here: creating a foreign-language website for the event may be eligible for support, but developing a completely new website is not.
How much self-financing is required?
Self-financing must account for at least 30% of the project's eligible costs.
For example, applying for the maximum support of 75 000 euros does not mean that the event's entire budget may consist solely of EIS support. The organiser must also provide the required self-financing.
It is also important to note that the total cost of the project's supported activities may be up to 200 000 euros, but the event's total budget may be higher.
What must be included with the application?
The application is submitted through the Structural Funds e-grant portal.
EIS recommends preparing the documents before the application round opens.
The application must include, among other things:
- the project's detailed budget;
- the event's total budget;
- the project schedule;
- risk analysis;
- cost estimates underlying the budget;
- marketing and media plan;
- event programme.
Depending on the applicant and the project, additional documents may also be required, such as financial reports, a procurement plan, a partner's confirmation letter, or a power of attorney.
How are applications assessed?
Eligible applications are assessed by the tourism assessment committee established within EIS.
Among other things, the following are assessed:
- the project's impact on the development of Estonian tourism and on the objectives of the measure;
- the capabilities of the applicant and the project team, including financial capacity;
- the project's justification;
- cost-effectiveness;
- the quality of the project's preparation.
This means that merely promising a large number of foreign visitors may not be sufficient. The organiser must be able to demonstrate that the project has been realistically prepared and that it has a justified international and tourism-related impact.
The grant is paid after the event
Another important condition concerns cash flow.
There are no advance or interim payments under this measure.
The support is paid as a fixed one-off payment after the event has taken place, the final report has been submitted, and the project's performance indicators have been achieved.
The main performance indicators are:
- the number of international visitors to the event;
- the number of small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the project.
Therefore, the organiser must take into account that sufficient financial capacity is required to implement the project even before the grant is disbursed.
Sporting and cultural events are treated differently in terms of state aid
The grant awarded to sporting events constitutes de minimis aid, or VTA.
For cultural events, applicants can choose between cultural aid and de minimis aid. Therefore, before submitting an application, it is also worth checking the organisation's remaining de minimis aid allowance.
When does the application round open?
The application round for 2026 opens:
on 31 August 2026 at 9.00
and closes:
On 14 October 2026 at 16.00.
EIS will hold an information session on Teams on 3 September at 11.00–12.00, where the objectives of the grant and the application conditions will be presented.
Considering the call's budget of 525 000 euros and EIS's estimate that funding will be sufficient for approximately seven events, it is worth starting to prepare an application for a suitable project before the call opens.
Could my event be eligible for support?
These questions can be used for a quick initial check.
Does the event take place in Estonia?
Is it an international sporting or cultural event?
Does the programme last at least two consecutive days?
Is it realistic to attract at least 600 international visitors in Tallinn or at least 300 elsewhere in Estonia?
Is the event marketed in at least one foreign market?
Does the project involve at least two SMEs serving foreign visitors?
Are there at least four months between submitting the application and the event?
Can at least 30% of the eligible costs be covered by self-financing?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, it is worth reviewing the EIS terms and conditions in greater detail.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is available for an international event in 2026?
Funding of 30 000 to 75 000 euros can be applied for per project. The budget for the 2026 application round is 525 000 euros.
How much self-financing is required?
Self-financing must account for at least 30% of the project's eligible costs.
Can a one-day festival receive funding?
No. The supported event must take place under a unified programme for at least two consecutive days and substantive activities must take place on both days.
How many international guests must attend the event?
For an event taking place in Tallinn, at least 600 foreign visitors, and outside Tallinn, at least 300 foreign visitors.
Can MTÜ apply for funding?
Yes. The applicant may be a company registered in Estonia, MTÜ, foundation, state authority, local government unit or an institution thereof.
When can an application be submitted?
Applications can be submitted from 31 August to 14 October 2026 via the Structural Funds e-funding portal.
Is the funding paid in advance?
No. The funding is paid after the event has taken place, the final report has been submitted and the required performance indicators have been met.
Organising an event in Estonia? Make it easier for visitors to find
Receiving support helps organize the event, but the next important task is to reach people.
If you organise a festival, sports competition, family event, cultural event or other public event in Estonia, you can also add it to Easyfind and give visitors an overview of the event's content, location and important information in one place.
Add your event to Easyfind and make it easier for people to find.
This article is for informational purposes. Before submitting an application, always check the current terms and conditions on the official EIS funding page and in the application round documents.
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