Key areas of support activities

In our support activities, we focus on two key areas: 

  1. Environmental education 

Our business is closely linked to one of the most important natural resources – water. We recognize the impact we have on the natural environment and try to reduce our environmental footprint. In our sponsorship activities, we commit to educating the community on water-related environmental issues. 

Annual outreach campaigns 

Each year, we run an outreach campaign, to support one of the following objectives: 

  • excellent quality of tap water, encouraging people to drink tap water, “tap water is drinking water”; 
  • how to avoid blockages, warning against throwing rubbish and/or hazardous waste in toilet; 
  • introducing the environmental and/or sponsorship activities of Tallinna Vesi or employer branding. 

Educational materials

Tallinna Vesi prepares educational materials and distributes them to kindergartens and schools. All educational materials are available in Estonian and Russian. The materials come printed and can be also downloaded from the company’s website. 

Water classes 

Each year, our staff attend kindergartens and schools to give guest lessons. During these discussions with children we explain where drinking water comes from, how to save water, how to avoid blockages and protect the environment. 

Tours and open house days 

Every year, we organize open house days at the water treatment plant and at the wastewater treatment plant to give residents an opportunity to learn about the company’s key production sites and operations. Larger groups are welcome to our production sites through the year. To this end, we give guided tours in both Estonian and Russian.  We also open our sanitary protection area to all sports enthusiasts once a year for the run around Lake Ülemiste. 

Participation in public events 

We actively participate in community events to raise awareness among residents about water-related issues. 

  1. Local communities, including community projects and support for people with fewer opportunities

We support community initiatives by providing water tanks for free use at public events and by opening free public drinking water taps across the city. 

Water tanks for public events

When possible, we provide water tanks as a sponsorship project for free use at public events that meet the following criteria: 

  • Sporting events that take place in Tallinn. 
  • Children and youth events attended by more than 100 participants and held in Tallinn. 
  • Public community events held in Tallinn, aimed at increasing environmental awareness. 

Upon delivery of the water tank, the principles of use by which the organiser of the event ensures the safety of the water tank and its users shall be agreed in writing. Please send your wish to our general email address at tvesi@tvesi.ee to rent a water tank. 

Public drinking water taps 

Every year we open new public drinking water taps, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, a tap can be located in a public space like a museum, port, airport, shopping mall, etc. By opening water taps, we want to make tap water more accessible in public places. To this end, we are co-operating also with the City of Tallinn. Today there are public drinking water taps in many places across Tallinn and there are nearly 40 taps in total outdoors. Indoors, public taps can be found e.g. at the Energy Discovery Centre, SuperSkypark at the T1 Centre, Tallinn Airport and the Port of Tallinn. 

All public water taps can be located on this map. 

Donations

We have selected a small number of projects and organisations we support annually with a donation. We are also urging our staff to give back to society, allowing teams to devote one day to charity. Also, we have decided to make a charitable donation to some important initiatives instead of bigger gifts at Christmas. 

  • Support for people with fewer opportunities 

Tallinna Vesi also supports organisations that need our help to provide better opportunities for people with fewer opportunities. For example, for years we have been working together with the Disabled Athlete Sports Association and kindergarten Õunake. 

Employee engagement 

In order to actively involve employees of Tallinna Vesi in community projects, we as an employer give everyone a day off for volunteering if they wish, and have initiated the project “Let’s Donate Time”. 

However, we strive to do more than we are required and expected, in order to have a positive effect on the natural environment around us and on the quality of people’s lives. Besides providing high-quality service we do our best to contribute to the well-being of our community through engagement and awareness building. 

We also encourage other companies to do more than they must or are required by law. In 2012, together with 17 companies, we signed an agreement to develop corporate social responsibility in Estonia by promoting open communication and cooperation. 

Each year, the Responsible Business Forum in cooperation with the EBS Business Ethics Centre and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, awards marks to the companies who are committed to promoting corporate social responsibility and have showed strong performance participating in the Corporate Social Responsibility Index (CSR or self-assessment tool). In particular, it represents well-considered activity and caring behaviour towards the surrounding human and natural environment and the stakeholders. A Corporate Social Responsibility Certificate is issued to companies with the possibility to use a quality label marking a Bronze, Silver or Gold level. 

  • In 2021, the company gained the Gold Mark in CSR Index. 
  • In 2019, the company was awarded the Silver Mark in CSR Index. 
  • In 2012 and in 2015-2018, the company was awarded the Golden Mark in the CSR Index. 
  • In 2013 and 2014, we gained the Silver Mark. 
  • In 2009, together with Swedbank AS, we shared the 1st and the 2nd place in Corporate Social Responsibility Index.