Position of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia regarding the court decision

Dear friends, partners, and members of the Ukrainian community!

In connection with the decision of the Tallinn Administrative Court of 21 April 2026 in a case concerning a request for information on the use of public funds, we consider it necessary to state our position.

The Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia respects the judicial system of the Republic of Estonia and the principle of transparency in the use of state and municipal funds.

At the same time, it is important to understand clearly: this decision does not establish any fact of misuse of funds or financial violations on the part of the Association. The dispute concerned the procedure, scope, and form of disclosing documents to a third party.

Our position remains unchanged: information on the use of public funding must be accessible within the limits prescribed by law. At the same time, we are obliged to protect the personal data of individuals, bank details, addresses, contacts, data of aid recipients, volunteers, partners, and other information whose disclosure could violate people's rights or safety.

This is particularly important given our activities: supporting the Ukrainian community in Estonia, humanitarian initiatives, aid to Ukraine, cultural and integration projects.

Currently, the Association, together with its legal advisor, is analysing the court's decision, considering the possibility of an appeal, and seeking additional clarifications from the Data Protection Inspectorate (Andmekaitse Inspektsioon) on the procedure for complying with the order.

We are not renouncing transparency. On the contrary — our goal is to ensure openness in a lawful, responsible, and secure manner.

We also plan to systematise information on the public funding of the Association's projects, so that in the future such information is presented clearly, transparently, and in compliance with personal data protection requirements.

We thank everyone who supports the Ukrainian community, trusts our work, and understands that responsibility is not only about openness but also about protecting the people behind our common causes.