On June 17, 2025, the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia hosted a solemn event in honor of Executive Director of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) Mr. Klen Jaarats, . The event was held to mark the occasion of his being awarded the “Golden Heart” presidential distinction — a state award bestowed upon him by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on June 10, 2025, in Kyiv during the International Summit of Cities and Regions.

This prestigious award serves as recognition of Mr. Jaarats’s years of strategic support for Ukraine, particularly in the reconstruction of the Zhytomyr region, as well as his consistent assistance in advancing Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, Estonian government institutions, the Embassy of Ukraine, as well as Mr. Jaarats’s friends and family.

Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Maksym Kononenko, expressed deep gratitude to Klen Jaarats for his dedication to the cause of supporting Ukraine. In his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized that ESTDEV’s programs stand as an example of effective and sustainable international partnership at the regional level.

“I am deeply moved and grateful for this award. The ‘Golden Heart’ is not only a personal recognition but also a symbol of the Estonian people’s commitment, the efforts of the ESTDEV team, and our partners. Estonia stands with Ukraine not only in solidarity but also through concrete, long-term actions,” noted Mr. Jaarats.

Thanks to cooperation with Estonia, the following projects have already been implemented in the Zhytomyr region:

•    construction of a kindergarten in the city of Ovruch,

•    restoration of a bridge in Malyn,

•    establishment of four family-type homes,

•    repair of social infrastructure facilities,

•    implementation of training programs for professionals in preparation for European integration, and much more.

The total volume of investments exceeds 50 million euros.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia extends its sincere gratitude to Klen Jaarats, the ESTDEV team, and all Estonian partners for their unwavering commitment and support for the Ukrainian people in these challenging times.