Karula region

Karula Heritage Society

The society brings together people interested in history. Through word and deed, it aims to maintain the continuity of culture, preserve the nation's historical memory and restore a human and culturally friendly living environment in accordance with the historically developed values of the Estonian people. It provides information on heritage protection, contributes to the maintenance and restoration of monuments, collects and preserves folk traditions and memories, and publishes publications on heritage protection. Organises gatherings, exhibitions, heritage days and celebrations of monuments and sites, commemorations of historical persons and events.

• registration number: 80087305;
• active since 1989;
• contact person: Vaike-Hele Puudersell,
  telephone: 521 6386,
  e-mail: vaike.puudersell@mail.ee;
• address: Lüllemäe village, Valga rural municipality, 68116, Valgamaa.

NGO Karula Voluntary Firefighting Association

The Karula Voluntary Firefighting Association was established in 2009. We are an official contract partner of the Rescue Board and a member of the Estonian Association of Firefighters, working closely with them. All year round and 24 hours a day, there are 2 men on home guard, ready to respond to an emergency. The association owns three ambulances, which are used to provide various rescue services. Our area is within a 25 km radius of the Karula depot. We are the only volunteer fire brigade in Valga municipality. In 2017, we responded to 55 incidents. Since 2017, Karula volunteer rescuers are much more involved in safety prevention work. They are involved in organising various events (open and information days, Karula village day, spring clean-up), carrying out home visits, contributing to organising various sporting events where water or help is needed, setting up slides for children, etc. The volunteers are now more active in 2017. The aim is to make our village safer. "For the glory of God, for the protection of neighbour!"

• Contact person: Veiko Pormeister,
  telephone: 528 7277;
  e-mail: veiko.pormeister@gmail.com

Riisali Village Association

The Riisali Village Association was established on 9 March 2012 with the aim of promoting village life, improving human relations, preserving national culture and focusing people's attention on well-being. The members of the association work on a voluntary basis. The Association is also a member of the Estonian Village Movement Kodukant. The village people themselves give the Riisali area its face and soul by their own efforts and positivity to do something for themselves. This is one important thing that builds a sense of unity and creates good opportunities to live in a place where you are cared for, noticed and helped when needed. It's what keeps the spirit in the village, and it's what keeps it thriving. The Association's first activities were a clean-up and a Midsummer's Day in Riisal. They would like to intensify cooperation with the parish government and parish councillors, other villages, businesses and NGOs to find ways and solutions to improve life in the village. As the association lacks financial resources, we would offer to invest will, talent and energy in joint ventures.

• Contact person: Tiina Lall, phone: 5561 5300; 
  e-mail: riisalikulaselts@gmail.com

Non-profit organisation Ministry of Sauna

The NGO Sauna Ministry is an association founded in 2022 and grew out of the Friendship of Saunas. The founding agreement was signed on 8 March 2022 and the association was registered on 15 March 2023. The association has 13 founding members. By 2024 the membership has grown to 18 members. The area of operation is the whole Valga municipality and in 2023 it was mainly the city of Valga. In order to achieve its statutory objectives, the association produces various sauna products and is engaged in rental services. The association through its sales activities managed to collect income, which has been mainly used for self-financing projects. The association does not have any paid employees and everything is done on a voluntary basis. The association is a member of the regional network Kotus and the NGO Valgamaa Partnership Council. In 2024, the Ministry of Saunas, in cooperation with the Valga Partnership Council, started a cooperation project with the organisers of a Finnish twinning region sauna festival. Our partner in Finland is the Sauna-Ajot team of Teuva city.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Best in the NGO category at the competition "Good Estonia - Estonian name for Estonian company in 2022" of the Mother Tongue Society and the Language Board.

Valgamaa NGO and Valuable Home 2023 winner of the competition "Heats Valga up"

Laureate of the Valga Municipality's Year Ring 2024 " preservation and development of sauna culture, organiser of the Sauna Street Festival".

• reg code: 80608626
• Operational from 2022
• contact Marek Mekk, phone: 523 7793,
  e-mail: marek.mekk@gmail.com