The Central Baltic Programme 2014-2020 finances result orientated cross-border cooperation projects in Estonia, Finland (incl Åland), Latvia and Sweden

National Contact Points in spotlight - Johanna Joosep

In this mini-series, we introduce our national Contact Points from around the programme area. The national Contact Points are the link between the programme and the regions. They inform about the funding opportunities and provide first information to potential applicants. Contact Points also help with partner search and matchmaking. In addition, they follow projects closely to share/spread project results and communicate the benefits of cross-border cooperation. 

Part 1: Our national Contact Point on Åland - Ester Laurell
Part 2: Our national Contact Point in Finland - Jaakko Ranta
Part 3: Our national Contact Point in Latvia - Ilze Legzdina
Part 4: Our national Contact Point in Sweden South - Annika Holmström

Hi all!
(2018)
My name is Johanna and I am the National Contact Point in Estonia. I have been working as an nCP for almost 4 months now and I am really enjoying it! One can say that I am an unusual nCP as I am based in Southern-Estonia, Tartu, but that does not change a thing in my work!
 
How did you end up working with Central Baltic? 
 
Things just happened and everything fell perfectly into its place. I was working in Tallinn as a project manager and decided to change my life. As I was on a vacation I started to look for a different job… I saw a job ad that was in English and I was sold. I have always wanted to work in an international environment and this was my opportunity.

This has to be a different kind of experience, I thought. And I was not mistaken! I ended up working as a new Contact Point at CB and I even got the chance to work in Tartu, which has been wonderful for me. Even though we travel a lot between countries and cities, I still have the chance to end my day at home.
 
What does a typical working day look like?
 
I would compare my job with surfing (not that I know how to surf), but it all depends on the “waves”. There are days that you have people waiting for answers, a conference to attend and e-mails to answer and then there are days when you can concentrate on just simply doing your tasks and doing them really well. I don’t have a preference, but I like how some days the “waves” come out of nowhere.    

What are you currently working with?
 
Currently, currently … I am working with this Q&A… but I am also working with some of our CB projects. My goal is to get them into a TV-show and I have already a success story. Sorry, but I am not allowed to be more specific, yet. Estonians will understand what I am talking about in Autumn 2018.

What is the best thing about your work? 
 
The very best thing about my work are my colleagues (and the part that now I know how to write that difficult word). I really and sincerely enjoy seeing them! Luckily we meet every other month or even more frequently. I also very much appreciate the freedom I have. In our Contact Point job your actions speak louder than words and it really suits me well. I think I am actually just now starting to realize the workload and will of power nCPs need every day.