The European Commission proposes to support over 5,000 tourism workers and self-employed in Estonia who lost their jobs or whose activities have ceased as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The proposed €4.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) will help those people to find new jobs through further education or training or to start their own business. This is the first time the EGF is being deployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus have severely disrupted operations in the tourism industry spanning travel companies, accommodation, catering and conference services, event organisation, and transport. Estonia applied for support from the EGF to help the most vulnerable people, in particular those with no professional qualifications or a low level of education, affected by this development.

The measures co-financed by the EGF range from job-searching advice to apprenticeships, educational opportunities and support to start a business. Participants are expected to receive additional incentives, such as training, transport or accommodation allowances, to help them make use of these opportunities. The local employment services in Estonia will contact the affected workers to identify their needs and arrange tailor-made training, mentoring and job-matching assistance.

The total estimated cost of the support measures is €7.5 million, of which the EGF will provide €4.5 million. The remaining amount will be financed by the Estonian authorities.

The Commission’s proposal will need to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council now.