Mission

The Estonian Railway Culture Foundation is a private operating foundation based in Tallinn, Estonia. Its mission is to develop and promote Estonian railway culture and heritage by supporting the preservation of the history of Estonian railways; supporting railway safety; and supporting railway employees.

The objectives of the Foundation are achieved by providing financial support to non-profit institutions and projects consistent with the Foundation’s mission. The Foundation will donate approximately EEK 1,000,000 per year through 2012; therefore, the Foundation encourages Estonian institutions and organizations to submit proposals to compete for these funds. Applications should be received by November 30, 2009 to ensure adequate consideration of their planned projects. 

Download application (PDF 102kb)

Management

The Foundation’s management team consists of:

• Henry Posner III
  Chairman, Supervisory Board

• Ed Burkhardt
  Member, Supervisory Board

• Guido Sammelselg
  Member, Supervisory Board

• Riivo Sinijarv
  Chairman, Management Board

Messrs. Burkhardt, Sammelselg and Posner were among the founders of the investor group Baltic Rail Services (BRS) which was the majority owner and operator of Eesti Raudtee (EVR) from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Sinijarv was Deputy Managing Director of EVR during the same period.

During these years of private-sector management, a safety culture evolved at EVR with a notable 75% reduction in the personal injury rate. In addition, the EVR-sponsored Operation Lifesaver-Estonia has facilitated a reduction in level-crossing incidents despite increased train traffic.

Accordingly, BRS established the Foundation to continue this cultural legacy and to promote its core values of railway safety; concern for Estonian railway employees and their families at all levels; and respect for EVR’s important role in the nation’s history and economy.

In 2008, the Foundation donated EEK 909,000 toward the following projects:

Lavassaare Railway Museum – repairs to the vandalized steam locomotive in Pärnu.

Haapsalu Railway Museum – renovation and cosmetic repairs to 3 steam locomotives.

Operation Lifesaver-Estonia - equipped Estonian police officers with presentation kits, including technical equipment to conduct railway safety presentations. Demonstration kits were supplied to the southern, northern, western and eastern police precincts in coordination with the rescue departments.

Restoration of Eesti Raudtee’s steam locomotive L1E – with matching funds from EVR, renovations were made to the “L” locomotive now on exhibit at EVR’s new headquarters.

Contact

For more information about the application process, please contact:

Mr. Riivo Sinijarv
Chairman, Management Board
Estonian Railway Culture Foundation
Toompuiestee 35
10149 Tallinn
Phone:  +372 661 3120
Fax:  +372 661 3121
(commercial registry code 90009513)

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