1. BALTIC SEA REGION INTERREG IIIB ESCOBALT project (2004-2007)
Applying Corporate Social Responsibility Concept and cross-border networking of local authorities and energy associations towards rational and sustainable energy use in the context of the enlarged EU.
ESCOBALT is financed by the EU Interreg III B programme.
Full information available: http://www.esprojects.net/en/projects/escobalt/
ESCOBALT promotes the contribution of CSR in Building of Sustainable Energy Sector. The project started in December 2004 aims at adopting common strategies and action plans based on the Corporate Social Responsibility in the energy sector and promoting rational use of energy. This will happen through the development of a cooperation of the partners and projects, building of networks, spreading information and discussing the problems and opportunities behind the energy sector and CSR.
Partners:
Finland: Uusimaa Regional Council, City of Vantaa
Germany: Max-Planck Institute, Energieplus e.V., City of Gravesmuehlen; Municipality of Rehna
Sweden: Municipality of Solleftea
Poland: European Centre for Integration and Self-Government Cooperation, House of Europe
Lithuania: City of Kaunas
Latvia: Latvian Association of District Heating Companies
Estonia: Association of Municipalities of Estonia
The Escobalt project has 5 Work Packages:
1. Corporate Social Responsiblity (CSR).
The main task is to increase understanding on CSR in the energy field.
2. Networking
The main task is the adoption of CSR and energy efficiency principles and to form a long term co-operation for the promotion of sustainable energy sectors the Baltic Sea Region municipalities. PPP networks are build in national and trans-national levels.
3. Information
This WP concentrates on dissemination of information on CSR and energy saving methods. The work includes the development of the esprojects.net - portal.
4. Energy
WP for Energy aims at increase in knowledge in energy saving technologies and economical issues related to energy management in the partnering countries.
5. Pilots
A pilot project in is implemented in the three Baltic states. to develop the adoption of CSR and energy saving in the chosen target organisations.
2. Phare CBC 2002 Programme, Medium Sized Project Fund (ES 2002/000-636)
21st century education – role and responsibilities of local authorities managing primary schools and setting quality standards.
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to decentralising and reforming the educational system in Estonia and to develop “good school” quality standards for education and management of education. The project supplements the reform programme launched in 2003 by the Estonian Government labelled “21 century school”. This reform programme is aimed at decentralizing management of the educational system as well as changing the financing principles, setting quality standards and quality indicators for primary schooling.
As a consequence of the Government reform initiative, the future management of the primary schools will be largely shifted away from municipal supervision towards self-governing boards that are not subject to local authorities supervision. There is however no scientific or statistical basis for suggesting that this type of management would be preferable to the existing one or indeed another set up, nor that is would be cheaper, lead to better academic results etc. | 
