Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation

The Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation (Peipsi CTC; Estonian: Peipsi Koostöö Keskus) is a non-governmental organization based in Tartu, Estonia, dedicated to the balanced development of the Lake Peipsi region. It was founded in 1993 under the name Peipsi Järve Projekt (Lake Peipsi Project) and adopted its current name in 2000. The organization works across borders, engaging partners in Estonia, Latvia, Finland and the wider Baltic Sea region. The Center's work spans environmental protection, cultural heritage, tourism development, entrepreneurship training and cross-border cooperation. Its official website highlights projects on the environmental status of Lake Peipsi, language diversity in the lake area, military heritage tourist trails in Estonia and Latvia, and the Green Mind eco-advertisement contest. It also runs international training programmes such as HeritageHunters & Business, which brings together young people from Estonia and Finland to develop business ideas from cultural heritage. As a non-profit, the Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation operates through project funding, including programmes such as the Central Baltic 2021–2027 programme. One notable project, COMMAND – Collections of Museum Artifacts for Networked Digitalization, was launched under the Center's leadership with Central Baltic funding. The organization also participates in the Estonian-Latvian cooperation project Rooted Heritage, focused on heritage plants and sustainable gardening practices. The Center is headquartered in Tartu and remains active in regional development, cross-border initiatives and community engagement around Lake Peipsi.

The Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation was founded in 1993 as the Lake Peipsi Project (Peipsi Järve Projekt). Its establishment reflected the post-Soviet period when newly independent Estonia sought to address environmental and developmental challenges around Lake Peipsi, a large transboundary lake shared with Russia. The organization was created as a non-governmental body to promote balanced development in the region. In 2000, the organization adopted its current name, Peipsi Koostöö Keskus (Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation), reflecting a broader mission of cross-border cooperation beyond the initial lake project. Its headquarters are in Tartu, Estonia. Over the decades, the Center has expanded its activities to include environmental protection, cultural heritage, tourism, and entrepreneurship. It has participated in and led numerous international projects funded by programmes such as the Central Baltic programme. Notable recent projects include HeritageHunters & Business, an international training programme for young people from Estonia and Finland; COMMAND – Collections of Museum Artifacts for Networked Digitalization, funded by the Central Baltic 2021–2027 programme; and Rooted Heritage, an Estonian-Latvian cooperation project on heritage plants and sustainable gardening. The Center also engages in public outreach through events, publications, and contests such as the Green Mind eco-advertisement contest. It remains active in promoting cross-border dialogue and sustainable development in the Lake Peipsi region and the wider Baltic Sea area.

• 2026

  Launched the COMMAND project under its leadership with Central Baltic 2021–2027 funding.

• 2026

  Second cycle of HeritageHunters & Business programme kicked off in Viljandi.

• 2000

  Adopted the current name Peipsi Koostöö Keskus (Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation).

• 1993

  Founded as Peipsi Järve Projekt (Lake Peipsi Project).

A non-profit cross-border facilitator for the sustainable development of the Lake Peipsi region.

• HeritageHunters & Business

  International training programme for young people from Estonia and Finland to create business ideas from cultural heritage.

• COMMAND – Collections of Museum Artifacts for Networked Digitalization

  Project funded by Central Baltic 2021–2027 programme, led by the Peipsi Cooperation Center.

• Rooted Heritage

  Estonian-Latvian cooperation project on heritage plants and sustainable gardening practices.

• Green Mind eco-advertisement contest

  Contest for eco-advertisements, with best works featured on the Center's website.

1. 1Peipsi CTC official websitectc.ee
2. 2Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Peipsi Koostöö Keskus - Estonian Wikipediaet.wikipedia.org