Kiri

COHESIVE ESTONIA STRATEGY 2030 A coherent and cohesive society is the common responsibility of all Estonian people – it is the Estonia of us all! Table of contents SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 3 1. GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND METRICS FOR ASSESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVE 5 2. ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION .................................................... 7 2.1. Key metrics characterising the area of cohesive society ............................. 8 2.2. Major trends in the operating environment ........................................................................................ 11 3. SUBOBJECTIVES AND POLICIES .....................................................................................................15 3.1. Estonia supporting adaptation and integration .......................................................................................................17 3.1.1. Overview of the area .............................................................................................................18 3.1.2. Key policies ...........................................................................................................................................20 3.2. Global Estonia ........................................................................................................................24 3.2.1. Overview of the area 25 3.2.2. Key policies 26 3.3. Community Estonia 27 3.3.1. Overview of the area 28 3.3.2. Key policies 29 3.4. Smart population census 32 3.4.1. Overview of the area 33 3.4.2. Key policies 33 ............................................................................................34 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLANSTRADEGY AND ESTIMATE OF COSTS ................... 4.1. Implementation and management of the development planstradegy 34 4.2. Reporting and updating the development planstrategy ........................34 4.3. Links between the development planstrategy and other developmentstrategy documents 35 4.4. Links between the development planstrategy and European Union policies 37 4.5. Financing and estimated cost of the development plan 38 ABBREVIATIONS 39 ................................ APPENDIX 1. Links with other development................................................................ documents and European Union policies ................................ ................................................................ APPENDIX 2. Overview of the methodology and sources of metrics of the development plan APPENDIX 3. Impact assessment APPENDIX 4. Overview of the preparation and inclusion of the development plan 2 SUMMARY OF CONTENTS The aim of the Cohesive Estonia Strategy 2021–2030 is to make Estonia a more cohesive and inclusive society in the next decade. The strategy focuses on promoting adaptation and integration, global Estonia civil society and the population census, which mainly fall under the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Cultu- re, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but to which several other ministries contri- bute with their activities. Population policy, migration policy, education, language policy, defence policy, rural development and regional development also play an important role in making society more cohesive and inclusive. A seamless society is possible only with the help of all state agencies, the private sector, and the people of Estonia. Therefore, the trends and bottlenecks affecting the objectives of cohesive Estonia are looked at in this strategy in a comprehensive way, providing an overview of the role of different areas without which achieving these objectives would not be possible. Estonia is home to many people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and given the future trends, Estonia is becoming increasingly diverse. Unfortunately, language-based and spatial segregation and the resulting inequalities are present in many areas. Therefore, the strategy includes various activities that encourage people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to carry the Estonian identity, actively participate in society and feel united. There are an estimated 200,000 people with Estonian roots living abroad – that is 15% of all Estonians. In recent years, the number of people returning to Estonia has increased, but it is still important to ensure that our own people maintain their ties with Estonia. To this end, the strategy features activities that support the Estonian identity of Estonians living abroad. The strategy also helps to create different opportunities for participation in social and cultural life and to support the return of people. It is also important to recognise the work of people who support and value Estonia in shaping a positive image of Estonia in the world, in intro- ducing Estonian culture and in promoting business and international relations. Alongside the Estonian people, civil society is the cornerstone of a cohesive and inclusive society. There are a total of 23,390 non-profit organisations in Estonia and 49% of people have participated in volunteering (survey of 2019). Among older people, young people and people with other native languages, the desire to volunteer is higher than the actual participation so far. For people to have enough diverse opportunities to participate in social and community life, the strategy foresees support activities to increase both the activity of people and the capacity of community and non-governmental organisations. The heart of the Estonian e-government is a smart population census, incl. high-quality population data and a well-functioning population register. It supports a cohesive society but also all other areas of public life. It is important to keep up with technological progress as this is the only way to use modern IT-solutions in the development of public services and to take the people’s changing needs and habits into account – and, of course, to make things easier for everyone. With regard to the aforementioned topics, the Cohesive Estonia Strategy provides an overview of the most important bottlenecks and presents the objectives agreed upon for the next decade as well as the main policies to achieve them. Public sector institutions, representatives of non-governmental organisations and employers who participated in many discussions contributed to the preparation of the strategy. In order to achieve the objectives of the strategy, there are more detailed programmes for shorter periods which are to be updated annually. Previously, there were several development documents to promote the topics covered in the Cohesive Estonia Strategy. In the field of integration policy, the strategy titled ‘Integrating Estonia 2020’ was in effect until 2020, the adaptation of newly arrived immigrants and the policy of population activities was directed until 2020 through the National Defence Development Plan 2015–2020, the development of civil society was directed through the Civil Society Development Plan 2015–2020, and the Compatriots Programme 2014–2020 played a role in directing the topics of global Estonia. The Cohesive Estonia Strategy has found common ground between these topics, and it also contributes to the achievement of the general objective and strategic goals of ‘Estonia 2035’: ‘Estonia’s people are smart, active and care about their health’, ‘Esto- nia’s society is caring, cooperative and open-minded’, ‘Estonia offers a safe and high-quality living environ- ment that takes into account the needs of all its inhabitants’, ‘Estonia is an innovative, reliable and peop- le-centred country’. 3  SUMMARY OF CONTENTS Estonian Urbanisation continues, Migration is Business models Technology and engineering population is regional disparities increasing and the nature of are evolving ever faster resulting in aging and shrinking may increase work are changing various opportunities and threats Estonian society is not cohesive The ties of compatriots The operating Population register software enough, language-based segregation with Estonia weaken when environment is outdated and does not and the resulting inequalities are the state does not continue of civil society support the development present in many areas. Inequality to communicate with and does not of modern IT solutions. and lack of unifying values may lead systematically involve sufficiently There are services where to the polarisation of society and Estonians living abroad support its data collection does not increase the likelihood of value in different areas with viability. ensure that the quality of conflicts between people from different sufficient purpose. data meets the users’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds. expectations. We contribute to making Estonian society more cohesive and stable. We encourage people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to carry the Estonian identity, participate actively in, share democratic values and a common cultural, information and communication space, and feel a sense of unity. We create equal opportunities for successful independent coping and well-being for all people living in Estonia. We contribute to Estonians living abroad continuing to carry the Estonian identity. We create opportunities to participate in Estonian social and cultural life and support returning. We recognise the work of people who support and value Estonia in shaping a positive image of Estonia in the world, in introducing Estonian culture and in promoting business and international relations. We support the activity of the residents and their social participation. We increase the capacity of communities and non-profit organisations. We ensure high-quality population data that supports the performance of public tasks by the state and local authorities and simple administration for the Estonian population. (Estonians/people of other nationalities) 4 or or 78% / 85% 90% 84% 90% or more 38% 50% more 70% 72 more 1. General objective and metrics for assessing the achievement of the objective GENERAL OBJECTIVE: Estonia is a cohesive and inclusive society Estonia is a sustainable nation-state where everyone enjoys living. Estonian people are cooperative, share a common Estonian cul- tural space, value the Estonian state, and feel a sense of unity, irrespective of their native language, cultural background or place of residence. In a diverse Estonia, everyone shares demo- cratic values and carries a common Estonian identity. The activi- ties of the state are people-centred and support the development of communities. Everyone feels valued and involved. Estonian people want to tie their lives to Estonia, they actively participate in community and social activities and contribute to the develop- ment of the state – they have many different opportunities to do so while living in Estonia and abroad. A coherent and cohesive society is the common responsibility of all Estonian people – it is the Estonia of us all! 5  ESTONIA IS CHARACTERISED BY ESTONIAN PEOPLE ARE Unified Estonian cultural space CHARACTERISED BY Nation-state Estonian identity and People-centred and inclusive shared core values Community-centred Openness, caring Integrated and cohesive society Communitarianism Diversity Active social participation, al participation in cultural space and contribution n to the development of society and the state EXPLANATION OF THE behaviour, relationships and organisation of life DEFINITIONS IN THE OBJECTIVE based on tradition. The Estonian cultural space more broadly is the natural and living environ- Estonian people – the strategy is aimed at all the ment. The Estonian cultural space is also the people who are permanently or temporarily living background system for the formation of the in Estonia but also at people living abroad who value. Through the measures of the strategy, we have ties with Estonia. help to maintain and develop the viability of the cultural space. We mainly contribute to making Estonian identity – the strategy aims to enable all Estonian people here and abroad feel part of people to share constitutional values and under- the Estonian cultural space. standings, to value the Estonian language and culture, and to define themselves as members of Nation-state – the strategy considers the Estoni- Estonian society. It is important that all Estonian an state a nation-state, the aim of which is the people here and abroad feel part of the Estonian development and continuation of the Estonian state and cultural space and value it. In imple- nationality, language and culture through the menting the strategy, we strive to encourage and ages. Estonian language as the national support the Estonian identity. language is the main language of information, education and work. In Estonia, everyone is Democratic values – in addition to carrying the guaranteed communication and administration Estonian identity, it is important that people have as well as education in the national language. similar fundamental values, specifically demo- The Estonian state respects the principles of a cratic values, which include both moral and state governed by the rule of law and of a welfare social aspects: respect for norms and human state and all the people legally living in Estonia rights accepted in society, freedom of thought, regardless of their native language and cultural speech and religion, trust, cooperation, toler- identity. Estonian residents are linked through a ance, caring and openness to other people common Estonian identity. regardless of the differences, etc. Of course, people’s individual values and interpretation of Diversity – in the strategy, foremost cultural basic values vary to a degree, but the important diversity. We respect people’s differences thing is that there are no conflicts of values in (linguistic and cultural background, incl. religion, society that would divide the society. The forma- beliefs, customs as well as everyone’s other tion of basic values of society is influenced by the choices with respect to their privacy) and take state as well as by each individual. With the strat- them into account in policymaking. We keep in egy, we support the sense of unity, shared values, mind that despite diversity, people should share and equal opportunities in society. similar important values and the Estonian identi- Estonia’s common cultural space – based on ty as described above. the Estonian language and culture. The Estonian cultural space is characterised by practices in 6 People-centred and supportive of community METRICS 2 TO ASSESS development – the implementation of the strate- gy is based on the principle that solutions are in THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE line with people’s needs and, on the other hand, OBJECTIVE OF THE STRATEGY support community-centred or communi- ty-based approach where many different issues concerning the area are attempted to be identi- Proportion of people carrying strong fied and resolved through the cooperation of or moderate national identity many different parties (individuals, community (Estonians/people of representatives, non-profit organisations, other nationalities) private companies, local authorities, 1 local networks, experts, etc.). 2030 Integrated and cohesive society 1 – all Estonian BASE LEVEL 90% or more people, incl. those with other native languages 78% / 85% and cultural background, mutually accept and respect one another, feel a sense of unity, coop- erate and achieve their common goals in a Satisfaction with the engagement of democratic manner, communicate with one residents in the local authority another and form social networks. An integrated and cohesive society is based on the Estonian identity and culture. At the same time, all other 2030 or languages, cultures and nationalities are also BASE LEVEL 50% more part of an integrated society. In a cohesive socie- ty, people’s treatment is not dependent on their 38% gender, age, special needs or disability, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, place of residence, etc. A cohesive society is also Sense of unity with Estonia among based on social inclusion, which means the Estonians living abroad opportunity for people to participate. By imple- menting the strategy, we help to reduce social 2030 segregation and support various aspects that or are important for a cohesive society. BASE LEVEL 90% more Inclusive society – people have diverse opportu- 84% nities to participate in decision-making and to contribute to the development of the society; the Recommended satisfaction index with state supports social participation of people, the e-services of the population register incl. participation in employment, lifelong learn- ing and civil society, entrepreneurship, commu- nitarianism, and the desire to contribute to the BASE LEVEL 2030 state’s development. In implementing the strat- egy, we focus on increasing the potential of 70 72 or more social participation of both older people and young people as well as on improving the social participation of non-Estonian-speaking residents. Social activity of Estonian residents is also a basis for joint activities and for the devel- opment of strong communities. BASE LEVEL 1 The definition of a cohesive society is based on the definition by the Council of Europe. 2 See Appendix 2 for more information on the metrics. 7 2. Analysis of the situation 3 2.1. Key metrics characterising the area of cohesive society Estonia’s development depends on basic demographic processes (births, mortality, and migration), sense of unity and cohesion of society as well as on the ability of society to ensure opportunities for self-fulfilment in economic, social as well as in community and cultural life to all people, irrespective of their socio-eco- nomic background (incl. place of residence, gender, age, nationality, special needs, etc.). BY CARRYING THE COMMON Research shows that shared values and common identity help to alleviate potential ESTONIAN IDENTITY AND threats to social peace and well-being associat- IMPROVING CONTACTS ed with cultural diversity and to avoid a decline in BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH social capital 4. The precondition for coping with a multicultural society and the basis for a cohe- DIFFERENT HOME LANGUAGES, sive society is the common Estonian identity for WE CREATE PROVISIONS FOR A which, inter alia, segregation in different areas needs to be reduced. According to a survey of MORE COHESIVE SOCIETY 2017, the vast majority (about 80%) of Estoni- ans and permanent residents of other nationali- 5 According to the data of the population register ties carry strong or moderate national identity . as of 1 January 2021, there are 1,339,361 The implementation of the strategy aims to residents living in Estonia, of whom 1,133,954 improve these indicators. This requires, inter are citizens of the Republic of Estonia. The alia, focusing on communication and on the number of residents with undetermined development of a common information space citizenship whose place of residence is regis- and raising awareness. tered in Estonia was 68,992 (5.2% of The cohesiveness of society has not changed residents). The number of citizens of other significantly in key areas in recent years: countries whose place of residence was regis- compared to residents of other nationalities, tered in Estonia was 136,415 (the largest Estonians continue to have a better position in proportion is for citizens of the Russian Feder- the Estonian labour market. In better times, ation – 84,952 people, followed by persons opportunities in economy and the labour market holding a Ukrainian citizenship (11,416)). even out, while differences are exacerbated In 2015, immigration to Estonia exceeded during economic stagnation and crises. 6 emigration for the first time. Short-term migra- tion to Estonia has also increased in recent years, and the number of people returning to Estonia has increased. As of 31 March 2021, short-term employment had been registered 6,682 times. 3 A more detailed analysis of the situation is provided in the proposal for the preparation of the development plan and in the programme documents for the implementation of the development plan, see www.siseministeerium.ee, www.kul.ee. The materials of ‘Estonia 2035’ have also been taken into account and used in analysing the situation, see www.valitsus.ee/eesti2035 4 Ehala, M. (2019). RITA RÄNNE projekt: Mitmikidentiteedi ja ühtekuuluvuse võimalused ja väljakutsed Eestis (RITA MIGRATION project: Opportunities and challenges of multi-identity and unity in Estonia). [www] https://sisu.ut.ee/sites/default/files/ranne/files/7_mit- mikidentiteedi_ja_uhtekuuluvuse_voimalused_ja_valjakutsed_eestis_raport_m.ehala_.pdf (19 March 2020). 5 Eesti Ühiskonna Integratsiooni Monitooring (Survey on the Integration of the Estonian Society). The proportion of people with strong and moderate national identity among people of other nationalities in 2017 was 39% and 47%, respectively. The information is currently on Estonian citizens and long-term poorly integrated permanent residents, but the plan is to add more target groups to the survey in the future. 6 Survey on the Integration of the Estonian Society 2020 8 One of the reasons is insufficient Estonian communication (excl. online) have seen a language training at different levels of education, decrease in contacts.12 which does not help to ensure adequate language At the same time, self-assessed awareness of proficiency.7 Studying in different schools 13 people of other nationalities of events in Estonia... prevents establishing social contacts and has improved, and ETV+ is also offering the networks between students with different native Russian-speaking population a better opportunity languages. Although the level of proficiency in to exist in the Estonian information space. Estonian among residents of other nationalities has improved over the years 8 and performance in The aforementioned must be taken into account Estonian language proficiency examinations has foremost in designing an effective adaptation improved, about half of all adults with other native and integration policy. In addition, it is important languages lack active language proficiency, the to ensure the availability and accessibility of opportunities for learning Estonian and foreign proactive and effective services supporting adap- languages and the level of teaching are not evenly tation and long-term integration as well as equal good or available to different target groups in all access to public services necessary for regions of Estonia9. In several regions (incl. Harju day-to-day administration and participation as a and Ida-Viru County), the issue is the lack of use full-fledged member of society (e.g. health care of the Estonian language and the lack of a services, driving licenses, labour market and communication environment. career services, education, etc.). Support for the local level and development of cross-sectoral Residence-based segregation of the 10 partnerships also requires attention. The strategy Russian-speaking population is deepening, one needs to implement activities that help to of the reasons for which is the location of increase positive contacts between people with Soviet-area residences. The majority of the different home languages. Russian-speaking population still lives in the same settlements where immigrants first arrived, while the proportion of Russian-speaking popula- COMPATRIOTS ARE PART OF tion remains below five percent in the rest of the THE ESTONIAN SOCIETY AND Estonian cities and rural areas.11 ESTONIA’S REPRESENTATIVES IN There is room for improvement in intensifying the contacts between people with different THE WORLD home languages. Over the last decade, the contact of Estonians with Russian-speaking Compatriots living outside Estonia also people has increased slightly in most spheres of contribute to the development and continuation 14 communication: at work or in school, online, in of Estonia. Estonian expat communities played recreational activities or through families. It has an important role in the restoration of Estonian decreased only among neighbours and friends. In independence and in building up the state as well 2020, there has been more contact than usual as in the preservation and development of the over the Internet, which may be related to the Estonian language and culture through joint situation arising from the Covid-19 virus when activities. Even today, compatriots are Estonia’s physical contact was replaced by online commu- representatives in the world who help to nication. The contacts of residents of other introduce Estonia and strengthen economic and nationalities with Estonians have mostly cultural ties. It is estimated that there are up to increased, while in 2020, most areas of 7 EIA 2016/2017. [www] https://www.2017.inimareng.ee/ ; Saar and Helemäe (2017). Russian-Speaking Immigrants in Post-Soviet Estonia: Towards Generation Fragmentation or Integration in Estonian Society. [www] https://www.socresonline.org.uk/22/2/13/13.pdf 8 e.g. EIM2017 9 Estonian language training for adults with other native languages as part - of Estonian integration and employment policy: quality, impact and organisation (2018). Estonian Centre for Applied Research CentAR. [www] https://centar.ee/case-studies/eesti-keelest-erineva-emakeelega-taiskasvanute-eesti-keele-ope-loimumis-ja- 10Kadi Mägi (2018). Ethnic residential segregation and integration of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia. [www] http://dspace.ut.ee/handle/10062/62344 . 11 Inimarengu aruanne 2017/2018 (Human Development Report 2017/2018). [www] https://www.2017.inimareng.ee/. 12 Survey on the Integration of the Estonian Society 2020 13 EIM 2017 14 In this document, compatriots refer to all people of Estonian origin and their descendants, also to friends of Estonia. 9 200,000 people with Estonian roots living abroad, but the desire to volunteer was higher than who make up approximately 15% of all current participation among older people, Estonians...15 Returnees who often come with younger people and people with other native children and families contribute to the develop- languages. Older people and the elderly show a ment and continuation of the Estonian popula- lear readiness to be more involved in volunteering tion. Therefore, purposeful activities of the state – 45% of 50–74-year-olds are ready to make a aimed at Estonians living abroad are important greater contribution to society. 17 to ensure that ties with compatriot communities The overall viability of the Estonian civil society is remain strong and the Estonian language and measured using the United States Agency of culture reach as many compatriots and friends International Development (USAID) index 18 based of Estonia as possible. on the following seven criteria: legal environment, organisational capacity, financial viability, advoca- CIVIL SOCIETY IS THE cy, service provision, infrastructure, and public image. The Estonian level has stayed the same FOUNDATION OF A COHESIVE for years, so the goal is to significantly improve SOCIETY the viability of civil society organisations. Civil society contributes to creating social cohe- SMART POPULATION CENSUS sion by enabling people to work together on their own initiative to pursue their own interests, SUPPORTS THE FUNCTIONING discuss and make decisions in public matters and OF THE STATE AND EFFORTLESS to take other joint action. The activities of civil society organisations – non-profit organisations, ADMINISTRATION FOR PEOPLE foundations, religious associations and informal associations, networks and societies – create an In addition to the previous topics, the area of opportunity for a large proportion of the popula- population activities where it is crucial to keep up tion to take part in democratic processes and be with technological progress, take advantage of its involved in decision-making and shaping the opportunities and mitigate risks in the coming living environment. In the development of civil years also plays an important role in supporting society, it is important to find ways to, on the one the objectives of a cohesive society and other hand, value and empower the activities of individ- areas. Estonian residents are used to using e-ser- uals, communities, and non-governmental organi- vices, which is why e-services related to the data sations and, on the other hand, ensure transpar- of the population register also need to be devel- ent decision-making with the active participation oped further. Some services cannot be provided of civil society and an environment conductive to as e-services for legal and technological reasons. civil society. There are 23,390 non-profit organisa- However, in the e-government it is not practical to tions i.e. non-profit organisations (MTÜ), founda- go and receive services in person as this would 16 tions (SA) and religious associations in Estonia. take more time. Therefore, it is necessary to make Of these, 816 are foundations and more than 500 as many e-services convenient and easy to use as are religious associations. possible. In addition, the entire population register Compared to previous surveys, the proportion of software needs to be reviewed and redesigned. non-profit organisations that engage volunteers has decreased, falling from 68% to 53% when comparing 2014 to 2018. A survey published in 2019 found that in six years, the proportion of people who have participated in volunteering had increased by nearly one-fifth (in total, 49% had participated in the year preceding the survey), 15 K. Kumer-Haukanõmm, - K. Telve. Editor-in-chief T. Tammaru. Eestlased maailmas. Eesti inimarengu aruanne 2016/2017 (Estonians in the world. Estonian Human Development Report 2016/2017) 16 Register of non-profit organisations and foundations as of 1 January 2021 17 Vanemaealiste ja eakate toimetuleku uuring 2015 (Survey on coping of older people and the elderly 2015). [www] https://www.sm.ee/sites/default/files/content-editors/Ministeerium_kontaktid/Uuringu_ja_analuusid/ - Sotsiaalvaldkond/veu2015aruanne_tnsemorsapraxis_final.pdf 18 The index is measured on a scale where 1 is very good and 7 is very poor. Source: United States Agency for International Development Cooperation 10 2.2. Major trends in the operating environment The number of Demand for adaptation EU population Migration flows to Europe from is aging unstable neighbouring areas climate refugees and integration services is growing EXPLANATION World population will grow and Africa are increasing is increasing Political and to 8.8 billion by 2035 legislative Labour migration Multiculturalism, the Demand for various will increase in heterogeneity of health and social welfare he long run society is continuing Social services is increasing to increase World Economic population According to Statistics Migration and Urbanisation, depopulation is growing, life Estonia, Estonian population urbanisation are of rural areas and increasing of sparsely populated areas Technological is aging and will decrease expectancy is by 145,000 people by 2080 increasing, regional is continuing in Estonia increasing disparities Ecological The population of Tallinn The proportion of people aged may increase and Tartu continues to grow 15–64 is decreasing, the proportion of people aged 65+ is increasing Social and spatial, including regional Key inequalities are increasing. E.g., the The meaning of working age is Boundaries between disadvantage of Ida-Viru County, South-East trends sectors are blurring Estonia and Central Estonia and rural areas changing Labour market is Ethnic and linguistic further away from centres is worsening becoming more segregation is Forms of activity nternational and is deepening are changing globalising People’s The trend map presents an consumption of overview of the trends that are information and taken into account in setting the Flexible forms of work communication objectives for a cohesive society are used more Technology an habits are changing, and developing and Business incl. becoming implementing solutions. Work processes are being engineering are more diverse models automated and forms of work are Some trends can be becoming diversified evolving ever influenced in a more favourable and the nature direction by the implementation faster Discussion arenas of work are More short-term labour migration are diversifying, incl. of the development plan, but the majority of the trends cannot be and digital nomads (incl. making the role of social changing the role of Estonia as a trendsetter media is growing influenced significantly in the area more important) with the strategy. Digital segregation continues, common information Risk of polarisation and value field is decreasing and there are fewer overlapping conflicts is increasing 11 information fields WORLD POPULATION IS MIGRATION AND URBANISATION GROWING, LIFE EXPECTANCY ARE INCREASING, REGIONAL IS INCREASING DISPARITIES MAY INCREASE 19 20 same trends. The declining proportion of people Migration 23 trends.... 24 under 65 years of age in the population will exac- and the resulting multiculturalism led to the need erbate the question of how to secure enough for better integration in society. workers in the labour market in the next decade. One possible solution is to include currently unemployed or less employed groups of popula- tion and migrant workers. 21 In the long run, measures to support birth rates will help. It is - migrant workers. 22 25 growing target group. continued urbanisation and depopulation of rural areas also creates more and more sparsely populated areas in Estonia the population of all counties, except Harju County and Tartu County, will decrease by 15–35% by 2045. 26 This could exacerbate regional inequalities and isolation even further. Social and spatial, incl. regional inequalities have deepened in Estonia and in most of the Central and Eastern European states over the last decades.27 19 Ageing. United Nations. [www] https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/ageing/ 20 Statistikaameti 14. veebruari 2014. a pressiteade nr 22 „Statistikaamet koostas uue rahvastikuprognoosi aastani 2040“. (Statistics Estonia, press release 14th of February 2014 nr 22) [www] https://www.stat.ee/pressiteade-2014-022 21 Puur, A., et al. Integreeritud rahvastiku- ja hõiveprognoos: Eesti valikud aastani 2100. Riigikogu toimetised 38/2018 (Proceedings of the Riigikogu 38/2018) [www] https://rito.riigikogu.ee/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ Integreeritud-rahvastiku-ja-h%C3%B5iveprognoos-Eesti-valikud-aastani-2100.-Puur-Eamets-Piirits-Klesment.pdf 22 Survey on coping of older people and the elderly 2015. TNS Emor, Praxis 23 Estonia 2035 background paper ‘World in 2035’ 24 Overview of migration statistics 2015–2019. [www] https://www.siseministeerium.ee/sites/default/files/randestatistika_est_pdf.pdf; Programme ‘National Security’ [www] . www.siseministeerium.ee/stak2030 25 United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 68% of the world population projected to live in urban . 26 27 Human Development Report 2019/2020. [www] https://inimareng.ee/ . 12 shrinking population and decrease in economic activity in remote areas – people living in rural CHANGES IN BUSINESS MODELS areas and small towns lose their jobs and AND THE NATURE OF WORK OPEN livelihoods close to home.28 The measures of civil NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR society and integration provided in the Cohesive Estonia Strategy also support regional develop- ESTONIA ment. The rapid development of technology is helping There is still ethnic residential segregation in to cope with a shrinking workforce both through Estonia, which may deepen in the next decade. the automation of work processes and diversifi- This is also exacerbated by newly arrived immi- cation of forms of work. Technological develop- grants who choose habitats with few points of ments lead to the labour market becoming more contact with the main population. Differences in international and global. The physical workplace residence, in turn, lead to segregation in educa- of the employer or a customer does not have to tion and the labour market, which exacerbates coincide with the location of the employee, and the the vicious circle of segregation. 29 proportion of jobs that can be done anytime, However, language-based segregation in the anywhere (virtual work) is growing.31 Indirectly, it labour market and education where the majority also encourages the spread of short-term labour of children with Russian native language study in migration and digital nomads. In these areas, schools with Russian language of instruction and Estonia has already taken steps that point the way children with Estonian native language study in forward in the world, such as the digital nomad schools with Estonian language of instruction visa and e-residency. Solutions are being devel- will hamper future contacts between different oped that will enable the integration of other communities, including integration. 30 The devel- Estonian e-government solutions with the digital opment plan for education and development plan nomad visa. According to preliminary estimates, a for the Estonian language have set a goal to transi- maximum of around 1,800 people per year could tion to predominantly Estonian-language school apply for a digital nomad visa.32 At the beginning of education in the next 15 years and to reduce the 2021, there were more than 76,000 e-residents in language-based segregation of the education Estonia – more than 10,000 e-residents per year system. These trends will undoubtedly help to are added every year. By the beginning of 2021, reduce ethnic segregation but will also raise e-residents had founded more than 15,000 new expectations for effective adaptation and integra- companies employing over 1,700 people whose tion policy. average wages are in the magnitude of Estonian average wages.33, 34 These trends will continue in the next decade and must be taken into account both in defining the idea of global Estonia as well as in taking advantage of the opportunities related to the internationalisation of Estonia. 28 Ibid. 29 Kadi Mägi (2018). Ethnic residential segregation and integration of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia. [www] http://dspace.ut.ee/handle/10062/62344 30 Ühtse Eesti kooli mudeli väljaarendamine Eestis (Development of a unified Estonian school model in Estonia). (December 2020) Topic summary of RITA migration project [www] https://sisu.ut.ee/sites/default/files/ranne/files/rita_koolimudelid.pdf Saar and Helemäe. (2017). Russian-Speaking Immigrants in Post-Soviet Estonia: Towards Generation Fragmentation or Integration in Estonian Society [www] https://www.socresonline.org.uk/22/2/13/13.pdf Ühtse Eesti kooli mudeli väljaarendamine Eestis (Development of a unified Estonian school model in Estonia) [www] https://sisu.ut.ee/sites/default/files/ranne/files/rita_koolimudelid.pdf 31 Tööturg 2035. Tööturu tulevikusuunad ja –stsenaariumid (Labour Market 2035. Future Perspectives and Scenarios). Foresight Centre. (2018). [www] https://www.riigikogu.ee/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/tooturg_2035_tooturu_tulevikusuunad_ . ja_stsenaariumid_A4_veeb.pdf 32 Eesti loob ühena esimestest riikidest maailmas diginomaadi viisa (Estonia is among the first countries in the world to establish a digital nomad visa). [www] https://www.siseministeerium.ee/et/uudised/eesti-loob-uhena-esimestest- - . riikidest-maailmas-diginomaadi-viisa 33 Enterprise Estonia. [www] https://www.eas.ee/teenus/e-residentsus/ . 34 udit report of the National Audit Office ‘Effectiveness of the e-Residency Programme’ [www] https://www.riigikontroll.ee/DesktopModules/DigiDetail/FileDownloader.aspx?AuditId=2507&FileId=14645 13 SEVERAL CHALLENGES ARISE Therefore, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for the state to contribute to the emer- FROM NEW TECHNOLOGICAL gence of a common information field and its SOLUTIONS impact on the development of a cohesive and integrated society. At the same time, by involving The development and use of technology also different sectors, it is possible to find effective affect changes in people’s information consump- solutions to develop people’s digital competen- tion and communication habits. In the age of cies, increase the security of discussion arenas social media, the number of public discussion and establish systematic communication (incl. it arenas has diversified significantly.35 Younger is important to analyse how messages reach the people in particular prefer social media as their right addressees and to use different ways to main channel for keeping up with public issues.36 In deliver messages as accurately as possible). addition to young people, the Internet has The spread of e-solutions creates an opportunity influenced the use of traditional media in other age for many to participate more actively in society groups as well.37 Risks associated with the role of (e.g. people with reduced mobility can use social media intermediaries in shaping issues and services more readily). 40 It is increasingly social meaning may increase. 38 For example, the important to consider the changing needs and goals and principles of information intermediaries habits of people when designing public services may be hidden and malicious and be polarising to and to make e-services simpler and more different groups, causing and exacerbating value efficient for users – this is also supported by conflicts. 39 It can be expected that in the next improving the quality and importance of decade, the diversification of discussion arenas population register data in the provision of will continue and digital segregation, i.e. the services. digital literacy gap, and differences in the use of information channels may increase. 35 Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020 36 Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020. Vihalemm and Kõuts-Klemm 2017, pp 256, 258; Opermann 2018 37 Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020; ‘Me, the Media, and the World’ (MeeMa for short) survey 2002–2014. The MeeMa survey is based on a sociological survey and interviews conducted five times – 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014. 38 Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020 39 Ibid. 40 Tulevikuraport: Kuidas jõuda sotsiaalselt tõrjutute ja vähe kaasatuteni ning miks see vajalik on? (Future Report: How to reach the socially excluded and the poorly engaged and why is it necessary?) [www] https://heakodanik.ee/ wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Torjutud-ja-vahe-kaasatud-huviryhmade-kaasamise-raport.pdf 14 3. Subobjectives and policies The following subsections provide a more detailed description of the objectives of a cohesive society in 2021–2030, present a general overview of the challenges involved and explain the main policies that must be implemented together in 2021–2030 to achieve the objectives. Estonia supporting adaptation and integration SUBOBJECTIVE 1: Estonian society is cohesive and stable where people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds carry the Estonian identity, participate actively in social life, share democratic values and a common cultural, information and communication space, and feel a sense of unity. We have created equal opportunities for successful independent coping and well-being for all people living in Estonia. POLICY 1.1: Developing modern, smart and POLICY 1.4: Supporting an innovative and effective adaptation and integrations pathways responsible labour market POLICY 1.2: A common, understandable and POLICY 1.5: Improving Estonian language reliable communication and information space proficiency and strengthening ties with the POLICY 1.3: Promoting social contacts that Estonian state and cultural space support a sense of unity POLICY 1.6: Supporting the local level and developing cross-sectoral partnerships Global Estonia SUBOBJECTIVE 2: Estonians living abroad carry the Estonian identity, participate in Estonian social and cultural activities, and returning to Estonia is welcomed and supported to the extent necessary. People who support and value Estonia help to shape a positive image of Estonia in the world, introduce Estonian culture, promote Estonian economy and international relations. POLICY 2.1: Promoting and preserving the POLICY 2.3: Involving Estonian identity abroad Estonians living abroad and friends of Estonia in the life and development of society, promoting POLICY 2.2: Supporting the return to Estonia and cooperation and ensuring high-quality services 41 (re)adjustment to the Estonian life 41 The Estonian Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030 addresses topics such as the engagement of Estonians abroad, efficient consular services and Estonia’s ties with Estonians abroad in more detail from the perspective of foreign policy. 15  Community Estonia SUBOBJECTIVE 3: Estonia is a people-centred country that promotes the development of communities and civil society where people are valued and engaged, share democratic values and improve their living environment through active participation in community and social activities. POLICY 3.1: Raising the awareness and POLICY 3.4: Creating a favourable ctivity of the population operating environment POLICY 3.2: Increasing the capacity POLICY 3.5: Increasing the role of religious of communities associations in community activities in preventing and resolving social problems POLICY 3.3: Increasing the capacity of non-governmental organisations and social enterprises Smart population census SUBOBJECTIVE 4: Activities related to people’s life events are convenient, easily accessible and, where possible, automated. Population data are of high quality and serve as a basis for the performance of public tasks and simple administration for the Estonian population.. POLICY 4.1: Ensuring the quality of data POLICY 4.2: Ensuring the availability related to people’s life events of population register data 16 3.1. Estonia supporting adaptation and integration OBJECTIVE Estonian society is cohesive and stable where people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds carry the Estonian identity, participate actively in social life, share democratic values and a common cultural, information and communication space, and feel a sense of unity. We have created equal opportunities for successful independent coping and well-being for all people living in Estonia. 42 METRICS Contacts between social groups Participation of people • people of other nationalities with Estonians with other home languages 2,0 3,0 • in employment 57,3% 62% • Estonians with people of other nationalities • in cultural life 72,9% 76% 1,7 2,0 • in sports 22,1% 30% Awareness and readiness of the Estonian Being informed of what is population to support adaptation and happening in Estonia integration • Estonians 93% 95% The base level of the metric is • other nationalities 87% 90% determined in 2022 improves CENTRAL ISSUE Estonian society is not cohesive enough, language-based segregation and the resulting inequality is present in many areas. Inequality and lack of unifying values may lead to the polarisation of society and increase the likelihood of value conflicts between people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. WE FOCUS ON RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING ISSUES How to create flexible, modern, systematic, and targeted adaptation and integration pathways? We help to achieve the strategic goal/change of ‘Estonia 2035’: How to manage the communication of adaptation and integration and create • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s people a common, understandable, and reliable communication and information are smart, active and care about space for target groups? their health’; • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s society How to increase the emergence of social contacts, incl. how to create a is caring, cooperative and open- sense of unity and contacts and networks between people of different minded’; nationalities? How to deal with spatial, social and virtual segregation? • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia How to ensure the success of different target groups in the labour market, is an innovative, reliable and incl. in times of crisis, and support employers and employees in coping with people-centred country’; • Change: Skills and the labour a multicultural environment? market; How to increase Estonian language proficiency among people not proficient • Change: Sustainability of the in Estonian and create opportunities for active language use? How to increase nation, health and social public; the activity of people speaking other languages and of other nationalities in • Change: Space and mobility; • Change: Governance. community and social participation and strengthen ties with Estonia? How to support an environment that encourages people of different nationalities to We contribute to the UN study together? How to support parents, children, educators of local authorities Sustainable Development Goals: in coping with linguistic and cultural diversity? 4. Quality education; 8. Decent work and economic How to involve all people living in Estonia and different parties such as local growth. authorities, entrepreneurs, cultural, educational and social institutions, and non-governmental organisations more in integration and adaptation policy and activities? How to get them to work more closely together? 42 The base level of the metrics is the latest available information, and the second number indicates the objective for 2030. See Appendix 2 for details. 17 3.1.1 Overview of the area PROBLEMS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION POLICIES In 2019, there were approximately 90 national adaptation and Adaptation and integration services sometimes duplicate Developing integration services in Estonia one another, the movement modern, smart and The main reason for non- between them is not effective adaptation participation was the target smooth, the target groups groups’ lack of awareness of and integrations are not aware of them pathways adaptation and integration services People of other The ability of It is difficult for nationalities keep up Estonian people Estonian state with Estonian media channels to critically assess agencies to reach little and do not trust them the media is low the population with Newly arrived immigrants do There is little A common, other native not have suitable information overlap between channels to obtain relevant the media space understandable languages in order to provide information information, of Estonians and and reliable incl. information people of other communication about the services is fragmented nationalities offered, etc. and information Russian-speaking population Social media is of Estonia is simultaneously influenced by the space playing an increasingly local Russian- language media, Russian media important role in media and, to a lesser extent, Estonian-language media consumption and receives contradictory information from the media People of Nearly one-third (28%) Spatial, social and different of Estonians do no virtual segregation have a Russian in their nationalities is growing and with different circle, and one-tenth of Promoting non-Estonians do not native languages have an Estonian n Exposure to and social contacts communication with communicate in their circle Estonians outside the place that support a little with each other of work or school is several sense of unity times lower 28% of newly arrived immigrants communicate with Estonians actively, i.e. daily, 21% communicate with Estonians a few times a week, and half do not communicate with Estonians actively Long-term permanent National and linguistic residents of other segregation is present Gender and nationalities have a in the labour market language-based weaker position in the A spouse who arrived segregation is present Supporting Estonian labour market together with a foreign in the labour market, (higher unemployment an innovative worker as part of family which is reflected, rate, low wages, etc.) migration may be in a inter alia, in the pay and responsible worse position to adjust gap and inequality labour market Unemployment rate because they lack, for differed between example, the employer’s Estonians and non- support and network Employers are not aware Estonian residents of the services offered 1,55 times in 2019 The situation of the and diversity Roma in the labour market is difficult 18 PROBLEMS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION POLICIES The national Estonian people here and Many organisation abroad do not always (permanent) of Estonian feel part of the residents with language training Estonian cultural other native for adults is complex space. languages are and fragmented between different providers About 80% of Estonians Strengthening not sufficiently and permanent residents proficient in There are many of other nationalities ties with the people with Estonian undetermined carry strong or moderate stonian state and citizenship national identity cultural space (approx. 70,000 in 2020). Estonian language The demand for Estonian proficiency among language training and the residents of other provision of free training is nationalities has improved not balanced: there are far slightly. 41% of Estonian more adults who want to residents of other study Estonian in the next nationalities over the age three years than there are of 15 consider themselves opportunities to study to have active proficiency It is difficult for educational institutions to in Estonian, one-tenth do cope with linguistic and cultural diversity not speak Estonian at all The awareness of local authorities of newly arrived immigrants has increased, but there is still no clear Adaptation and understanding of what local integration partners Supporting authorities should do about the target are not always able to group of newly arrived immigrants effectively provide the local level adaptation and and developing Most Estonian local authorities integration services and partnerships do not pay enough attention to their cooperation is adaptation and integration issues, not effective the area is not regularly analysed at the local level 19 3.1.2. Key policies Developing modern, smart, and effective adaptation and integrations pathways We want to achieve a situation where needs-based adaptation and integration services are organised in a customer-centred and efficient manner. The services to be offered to target groups have been agreed upon and target groups are aware of them and happy with the quality of services. KEY POLICIES We establish a clear coordination and monitoring system for adaptation and integration services. For this, we create adaptation and integration pathways based on the methodology of ACTIVITIES ARE event services. CARRIED OUT We increase the awareness of target groups and stakeholders of the services and BY THE MoC, the availability of services. For this, we MoER, MoRA, MoF, MoSA, consolidate information about adaptation and integration services into a single MoEAC web portal and disseminate the information in the public, private, and mutual and non-profit organisations; prepare and implement the digitalisation of integration, incl. the field of adaptation (e.g. create new e-services that support integration, incl. adaptation). A common, understandable and reliable communication and information space We want to achieve a situation where people in Estonia are living in a common, understandable, and reliable Estonian communication and information space, and people are well-acquainted with what is happening in Estonia through various needs-based information channels. Regular, clear, and factual public communication on adaptation and integration and transmission of relevant state information are ensured, resulting in an increase in the knowledge of the Estonian population of the area of adaptation and integration, human rights and equal treatment, as well as in the reduction of social polarisation. The attitudes of the Estonian population support adaptation and integration. 43 KEY POLICIES We develop and understandable and reliable communication and information space. For this, we support media channels in developing Russian and English-language content ACTIVITIES ARE and raise awareness of these channels among people with other native CARRIED OUT languages. BY MINISTRIES AND THE We develop communication on adaptation and integration and facilitate exchange of GOVERNMENT information. For this, we OFFICE develop a web-based tool/environment for the public to streamline communication on adaptation and integration; create a communication and information network on adaptation and integration for the public sector. We ensure the availability of official high-quality (governmental) information in English and Russian. For this, we support (state) agencies and organisations in improving exchange of information in other languages through various activities and tools. We contribute to limiting the spread of misinformation. For this, we improve the media literacy of the Estonian people and teach them to be 44 critical of the sources. 43 Kohanemist ja lõimumist toetavate hoiakute kohta on täpsemalt kirjas üldeesmärgi selgituse juures. 44 43 Sama teemaga seoses on kavandatud tegevusi ka teistes arengudokumentides nagu„Noortevaldkonna arengukava2021– Attitudes that support adaptation and integration are described in more detail in the explanation of the general objective. 2035“, 44 „Haridusvaldkonna The base arengukava level of the metrics 2021 –available is the latest 2035“ ja „Riigikaitse information,arengukava 2021–2030“. and the second number indicates the objective for 2030. See Appendix 2 for details. 20 20 Promoting social contacts that support a sense of unity We want to achieve a situation where there are trusting, friendly and close direct contacts between people with different native languages. People with different native languages initiate and participate in community activities (incl. volunteering) and feel a sense of unity. A well-thought-out public space strengthens communities, reduces segregation, and increases mutual understanding and respect. KEY POLICIES We ensure that initiatives at the local level (i.e. co-creation and opportunities for participation) are also welcoming to people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For this, we ACTIVITIES support local authorities in defining local communities and involving people ARE CARRIED with other native languages in local initiatives to a greater degree; OUT BY THE MoC, MoRA, support the participation of people from different linguistic and cultural MoF, MoSA backgrounds in different civil society organisations; support the active engagement of cultural societies of national minorities in the work of national Estonian-language umbrella organisations and representative organisations. We reduce spatial, social and virtual segregation. For this, we advise local authorities and other organisations dealing with the public space and the living environment on the creation of a diverse public space.45 include measures to promote adaptation and integration in regional development documents (e.g. Ida-Viru County Action Plan etc.). Supporting an innovative and responsible labour market We want to achieve a situation where socio-economic indicators related to the labour market do not differ between Estonians and people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, people are treated equally in the labour market, and employers are able to cope with a multicultural environment. KEY POLICIES We streamline and improve the availability and needs-based nature of labour market services for people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For this, we support the awareness of the sectoral policymaker of the situation of people ACTIVITIES ARE from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the labour market and CARRIED OUT thereby the efficiency of service providers; BY MINISTRIES, THE ESTONIAN raise awareness of people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds UNEMPLOYMENT of Estonian labour market services and benefits. INSURANCE FUND, COUNTY DEVELOPMENT We support the recruitment of potential employees with other native languages in CENTRES state and local government agencies. 46 For this, we support ministries and other public sector institutions in recruiting people with other native languages; encourage young people with other native languages to apply to and work in civil service. 45 Kvaliteetse ruumi aluspõhimõtted (General principles of high-quality space): https://www.kul.ee/sites/kulminn/files/lisa_3_-_kvaliteetne_ruum_aluspohimotted.pdf 46 Avaliku sektori tööhõive võimaluste edastamine muukeelsele elanikkonnale. Analüüs ja ettepanekud (Communication of employment opportunities in the public sector to the population with other native languages. Analysis and proposals) [www] https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/system/files_force/document_files/ vvtp_avaliku_sektori_toohoive_muukeelsetele_17102019docx_003.pdf?download=1 21  We improve the ability of employers to cope with a multicultural and multilingual environment. For this, we provide information, training and relevant support to employers to cope with linguistic and cultural diversity in the workplace; promote opportunities for employers to share their experiences with linguistic and cultural diversity. Improving Estonian language proficiency and strengthening ties with the Estonian state and cultural space We want to achieve a situation where the Estonian language proficiency of people with other native languages improves and the number of active users of Estonian increases, where society supports people with different native languages studying together and the full integration of multilingual and migrant students into Estonian society. People’s trust in state institutions is high and people with other native languages actively participate in social life. KEY POLICIES We improve the level of Estonian language proficiency of adults as a second language in concurrence with the policies formulated in the strategy for Estonian language (creation of (e-)learning tools and environments, support for language technology ACTIVITIES ARE reaching language training, improving the quality and organisation of training). 47 CARRIED OUT BY For this, we THE MoI, MoC, continue to develop and create new digital platforms for language training MoER and organising language training for adults, incl. contributes to the development and implementation of a digital gateway that brings together language trainin opportunities, incl. map relevant expectations and experiences of the target group and provide them with information; support and create various opportunities for practicing Estonian in an Estonian language environment; continue to offer language courses (incl. as part of the welcoming programme, activities in the Estonian language houses, etc.). We strengthen the ties of people with other native languages with the country. For this, we create a comprehensive solution for services that prepare for applying for Estonian citizenship and ensure that people are informed about it. 48 We develop the Estonian cultural space, support linguistic and cultural diversity and the preservation and promotion of own culture. For this, we continue to support national societies and cultural authorities; support cooperation between national societies and cultural organisations with different working languages; support cultural and youth work institutions in contributing to integration. We create an environment that encourages people with different native languages to study together in different forms. For this, we advise general education schools, local government and educational institutions in matters of adaptation and integration (incl. hobby education 49 and youth work) ; 47 The policy is in line with the objectives of the Estonian Language Development Plan 2021–2035. 48 The planned activities are in line with and discussed further as part of the National Defence Development Plan 2020–2030. 49 The policy is in line with the documents of the Education Development Plan 2021–2035 and the Youth Field Development Plan 2021–2035. 22  advise parents on adaptation and integration; create opportunities for acquiring the Estonian language, incl. offer long-term student exchanges to students; create opportunities for developing the students’ native language proficiency and cultural knowledge (e.g. Sunday schools at national societies). THINGS NOT In addition to the aforementioned activities, various activities are also planned in the PLANNED IN THE Education Development Plan 2021–2035, which aims to develop a plan for deve- DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITHOUT loping Estonian-language education, starting with basic education, which provides WHICH THE sufficient language proficiency to continue studies at subsequent levels of education OBJECTIVE in Estonian. One policy is to support the development of a common cultural and COULD NOT BE value space through various activities. As such, one activity is to ensure sufficient ACHIEVED Estonian language proficiency for basic school graduates with other native languages to both continue theirs studies as well as to cope in the labour market, and, where necessary, ensure additional Estonian language training or compensatory Estonian language training following basic school so that as many basic school gra- duates as possible can reach B2 language proficiency level. An integrated approach to case-by-case support for migrant learners is also being developed and implemented. 50 Supporting the local level and developing cross-sectoral partnerships We want to achieve a situation where all public, private, and mutual and non-profit organisations that encounter the target group take into account the needs of people with other native languages 51 in their core activities. Providers of adaptation and integration services have good partnerships and are aware of their role and the roles of other actors. KEY POLICIES We improve the ability of public, private, and mutual and non-profit organisations to effectively offer services to people with other native languages (incl. local authorities offer more adaptation and integration services). For this, we ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT BY raise the awareness of local authorities of adaptation and integration, THE MoC, MoER, MoF, MoSA, empower them in developing and providing effective adaptation and MoEAC, AECRM integration services; support and advise public, private, and mutual and non-profit organisations 52 that come into contact with newly arrived immigrants and permanent residents of other nationalities at the local level and provide (public) services to them; increase the awareness of public, private, and mutual and non-profit organisations of the Roma community, empower members of the Roma community to increase their social engagement, develop a mentoring service for the Roma. We improve partnerships. For this, we support the operation of networks of cross-sectoral cooperation partners in the area of adaptation and integration; involve and empower cultural societies of national minorities in the development and provision of services (incl. services aimed at newly arrived immigrants and temporary residents). 50 Ibid. 51 Refers to newly arrived immigrants and permanent residents of other nationalities. 52 For example, cultural and sports institutions, museums, libraries, youth associations, professional associations/trade unions, umbrella organisations of non-profit organisations. 23 3.2. Global Estonia 53 OBJECTIVE Estonians living abroad carry the Estonian identity, participate in Estonian social and cultural life, and returning to Estonia is welcomed and supported to the extent necessary. People who support and value Estonia help to shape a positive image of Estonia in the world, introduce Estonian culture, promote Estonian economy and international relations. METRICS 54 Sense of unity Satisfaction of Estonians living with Estonia returnees to abroad who are Estonia with the interested social 84% 90% adjustment process participation • Estonians 90% 94% 76% 85% • other nationalities 82 % 90% CENTRAL ISSUE The ties of compatriots with Estonia weaken when the state does not continue to communicate with and systematically involve Estonians living abroad in different areas with sufficient purpose. WE FOCUS ON RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING ISSUES How to define clearer roles between the national, local and community levels and to develop cooperation with communities abroad at these We help to achieve the strategic goal/change of levels? ‘Estonia 2035’: How to support the ties of compatriots living abroad, foremost children • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s and young people, with the Estonian language and culture to preserve people are smart, active and promote the Estonian identity? and care about their health’; • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s How to preserve the cultural heritage of Estonians living abroad in the society is caring, cooperative and memory institutions of the country of location or Estonia and thereby open-minded’; bring new information about compatriot communities to the cultural • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s and scientific circulation? economy is strong, How to create a common information field that is interactive and innovative and responsible’; creates a better awareness of what is happening in Estonia and Estonia’s • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia is - an innovative, reliable and opportunities and arouses more interest in Estonia and thereby makes people-centred country’; exchange of information more efficient? • Change: Skills and the How to encourage the return of Estonians to their homeland and labour market; support returnees in returning to different regions in Estonia and in • Change: Space and mobility; (re)adjustment? • Change: Governance. How to involve compatriots in the development of Estonian society? We contribute to the UN Sustainable Development How to arouse more interest and involve compatriots and friends of Goals: Estonia in achieving Estonian goals in culture, economy and international 10. Reduced inequalities relations? 53 „The Estonian Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030 addresses topics such as the engagement of Estonians abroad, effective consular services, Estonia’s ties with Estonians abroad in more detail from the perspective of foreign policy, and it plans the objectives and activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the area of global Estonians in more detail. 54 The base level of the metrics is the latest available information, and the second number indicates the objective for 2030. Additional information about metrics is provided in Appendix 2. 24  3.2.1. Overview of the area PROBLEMS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION POLICIES Estonia is one of the smallest Compatriot communities countries in Europe. As a result of vary in size, opportunities and three waves of immigration, Estonia background, and their needs has a large and scattered community and expectations of the abroad – an estimated up to 200,000 country are different people with Estonian roots. The largest compatriot communities are located Ties with the Estonian in Finland, Russia, Great cultural space are Britain, Germany, Sweden, Promoting lessening and this leads and North America and preserving to a change in the identity In 2020, 6,920 Estonians emigrated the Estonian and weakening of ties from Estonia, mostly to Finland, identity abroad with Estonia Great Britain, and Germany Estonians abroad do not Activities supporting have access to the practical the preservation of information that they need Global Estonians easily enough are being carried out, but more are The number of children and young people needed studying Estonian abroad is about 4,000 Returning has Services and support There are not enough intensified networks are not services for returnees yet sufficiently to support their return systematic Supporting the to and (re)adjustment The demand for services return to Estonia in Estonia that support returning and adjustment has increased and (re)adjustment to the Estonian life Returning is hampered Returns are often made with by the dispersion of family, so all family members information that supports need support services it – there are many environments, nts, but necessary information is difficult to find The interest of Estonians The demand for The ties of living abroad in public services is compatriots with contributing to the growing among Involving development of Estonia weakenif Estonians living Estonians living Estonian society is growing outside Estonia the state does abroad and friends not continue Awareness of existing e-services of Estonia in the life and ommunicatin and their availability is not high development of society, enough, and sometimes there are with them and promoting cooperation no opportunities to use these services systematically and ensuring engaging them in high-quality People’s own initiatives play an important different areas services role in bringing together Estonians living abroad and friends of Estonia. For example, the Estonian Worldwide Youth Network was established as a result of ESTO 2019 to bring together young people with Estonian roots from all over the world. 25 3.2.2. Key policies Promoting and preserving the Estonian identity abroad We want to achieve a situation where Estonians living abroad carry the Estonian identity – a common and diverse information space, the viability of the Estonian language and culture and the preservation of Estonia’s intellectual and material cultural heritage is ensured. KEY POLICIES We promote and preserve the Estonian identity abroad. For this, we develop a common information field; ACTIVITIES ARE preserve and promote Estonian culture abroad; CARRIED OUT BY expand and diversify opportunities for studying Estonian abroad 55; THE MOFA, MOI, MOER, MOC preserve Estonia’s intellectual and material cultural heritage. Supporting the return to Estonia and (re)adjustment to the Estonian life We want to achieve a situation where the return of Estonians to their homeland is supported and encouraged by creating preconditions for a smooth return and stay in Estonia. KEY POLICIES We support the return to Estonia and (re)adjustment to the Estonian life. For this, we ensure services that support the return and the development thereof; ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT BY aggregate knowledge about diaspora politics and returnees and raise THE MoC, MoFA awareness in society; engage more local authorities and improve their capacity to work with the target group, incl. in raising awareness and providing necessary services to the returnees (especially in areas outside Tallinn and Tartu). Involving Estonians living abroad and friends of Estonia in the life and development of society, promoting cooperation and ensuring high-quality services 56 We want to achieve a situation where Estonia’s ties with Estonians living abroad and friends of Estonia are strengthened through expanding, enriching, and improving the quality of services offered. Through these services, the contribution of Estonians living abroad to the development of Estonian society increases. KEY POLICIES We involve the worldwide Estonian community in the life and development of society, promote cooperation and ensure high-quality services. For this, we ensure high-quality consular services in foreign missions and the growing ACTIVITIES ARE role of foreign missions in engaging local Estonians; CARRIED OUT BY THE MoFA, MoI, engage more young people of Estonian origin living abroad; 57 MoER, MoC contribute to the internationalisation of Estonian culture; encourage and support civic initiative and promote popular diplomacy. 55 Activities of the Estonian Language Development Plan 2021–2035 56 The Estonian Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030 addresses topics such as the engagement of Estonians abroad, efficient consular services and Estonia’s ties with Estonians abroad in more detail from the perspective of foreign policy. 57 Also the activities of the Youth Field Development Plan 2021–2035 26 3.3. Community Estonia OBJECTIVE Estonia is a people-centred country that promotes the development of communities and civil society where people are valued and engaged, share democratic values and improve their living environment through active participation in community and social activities. METRICS 58 Participation Proportion of the Estonian rate in population who non-governmental volunteering feel that they have organisation no opportunity viability index to influence society 49% 50% 48% < 48% 2,1 1,9 CENTRAL ISSUE The operating environment of civil society does not sufficiently support its viability. WE FOCUS ON RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING ISSUES We help to achieve the strategic goal/change of ‘Estonia 2035’: How to support the social participation of older people, • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s people are young people and people with other native languages and smart, active and care about their health’; undetermined citizenship? • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia’s society is caring, cooperative and open-minded’; How to value and empower communities as key players in • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia is an innovative, shaping the living and working environment and providing reliable and people-centred country’; • Change: Skills and the labour market; joint activities? • Change: Sustainability of the nation, health and social public; How to increase the capacity and economic sustainability of • Change: Space and mobility; non-profit organisations and social enterprises? • Change: Governance. How to ensure transparent decision-making with the active We contribute to the achievement of all participation of civil society and the ability of non-profit the UN Sustainable Development Goals organisations to have a systematic voice in representing as this supports the capacity of non- the interests of their members? governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations How to increase the role of religious associations in community contribute to the achievement of all activities in preventing and resolving social problems? the sustainable development goals in one way or another. 58 The base level of the metrics is the latest available information, and the second number indicates the objective for 2030. Additional information about metrics is provided in Appendix 2. Participation rate in volunteering. Proportion of the population who have participated in volunteering in the last 12 months. Source: Survey on participation in volunteering Proportion of the population who feel that they have no opportunity to influence society. The metric shows the proportion of people who agree or rather agree that they cannot influence society. Source: Survey on the integration of the Estonian society Estonian non-governmental organisation viability index. The index consists of seven components: legal environment, organisational capacity, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, infrastructure, and public image. The index is measured on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very good and 7 is very poor. Source: United States Agency for International Development Cooperation (USAID)  3.3.1. Overview of the area PROBLEMS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION POLICIES There are no Older people, young people and non-native tion suitable participation speakers are more willing to take part in opportunities for everyone volunteering than their actual participation Non-native speakers do not have access to enough information Raising the 45% T involvement of The awareness and of newly arrived residents aged 55 and resi Private persons activity of the immigrants have older in volunteering ol and businesses not participated in is one of the lowest population volunteering but donate little in Estonia would like to do so to civil society Estonian young people are more The proportion of permanent passive in participating in volunteerin donors in the population is compared to young people in other 12% , but nine out of ten European Union Member States people aged 18–60 would ( 27% in Estonia, EU average 31%) be willing to donate money Communities are not 14% of people So far, community systematically and daily consider it important empowerment Increasing the to have a say in public has not been capacity of engaged and empowered systematically matters and to protect communities in local authorities the freedom of speech addressed nationally 1/3 of non-profit organisations have more than three sources of funding Involvement in Increasing The amount of donations In 2017, there were 57% % decision-making is not the capacity made by legal entities has of non-profit organisations sufficiently possible, the of non- profit not increased in different earning own revenue. 36% of ability of stakeholders non- profit associations had organisations years salaried employees, and this has to participate is poor and social increase slightly over the years enterprises The advocacy capacity State-budget of Estonian non- funding of non-profit governmental organisations is Involvement in Creating a organisations is good not sufficiently policymaking is often compared to other transparent, effective favourable formal and not given organisations in the or accessible to all operating region, but it has enough time environment remained unchanged for the last five years Strengthening the role Increasing the There are about 500 religious associations of religious associations operating in Estonia. Most religious role of religious in community work associations belong to churches associations in needs more support or congregational associations communityactivities and attention in preventing and resolving social problems 28 3.3.2. Key policies Raising public awareness and activity We want to achieve a situation where older people, young people and residents with other languages participate in volunteering and activities of civil society organisations at least as much as other age groups and Estonian- speaking residents. They have enough information about opportunities to participate. Private persons donate to civil society organisations systematically and consciously. KEY POLICIES We increase the social participation of older people, young people and residents with other languages. For this, we improve people’s awareness and knowledge of opportunities to participate; ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT raise awareness of residents with other languages and young people of the BY THE MOI, opportunities to participate in civil society; MOC, MOF, increase the readiness of non-governmental organisations to engage MOSA residents with other languages, older people and young people as volunteers; help to develop products and services with a social impact for children and young people and develop a systematic community-based engagement model for children and young people. We encourage private persons and companies to donate. For this, we create preconditions in law to encourage donation; promote the ability of non-governmental organisations to collect donations, incl. to offer support and advice to non-governmental organisations; spread participation in volunteering and donation campaigns as a form of building teamwork both in the public and private sector. THINGS NOT The Youth Field Development Plan 2021–2035 supports the participation of young PLANNED IN people in the activities of non-governmental organisations within the framework of THE community practice and increases the participation of young people in youth work DEVELOPMENT institutions or organisations. PLAN WITHOUT WHICH THE OBJECTIVE COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED Increasing the capacity of communities We want to achieve a situation where communities are recognised as important actors, and they actively participate in shaping the living and working environment. Networking and cooperation between different actors is functional. Community-centred approach, i.e. systematic network-based engagement and community empowerment, is being introduced and developed. KEY POLICIES We empower communities to participate in decision-making processes. For this, we develop the activities of settlement and village societies and take into account ACTIVITIES the needs of communities when designing urban space; ARE CARRIED make the funding of non-governmental organisations in local authorities more OUT BY THE transparent and raise the awareness of local government officials about civil society; MoI, MoRA, MoF, MoSA apply the community-centred approach model, i.e. help local authorities to determine and map their communities in cooperation with local residents and involve them in decision-making processes by offering them more diverse opportunities to do so. 29  THINGS NOT The policy ‘Protection of the rights of young people in the country is consistent an PLANNED the active civic engagement of young people is supported’ provided in the Youth IN THE Development Plan 2021–2035 supports the meaningful and active engagement of DEVELOPMENT young people and their participation both in considering choices and in making and PLAN WITHOUT implementing decisions. Among others, young people will have the opportunity to WHICH THE have a say and be heard at all levels. Young people are empowered to be active citizens. OBJECTIVE COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED Increasing the capacity of communities We want to achieve a situation where Estonia has capable non-governmental organisations and social enterprises with good financial and economic skills and a diverse income base. There are various ways for non-governmental organisations to obtain funds. Non-governmental organisations apply impact and research-based evaluation and contribute to the creation of innovation in Estonia. KEY POLICIES We support the growth of the capacity of non-governmental organisations. For this, we use the methods of co-creation, design thinking, etc. to identify problems and develop solutions together with non-profit organisations; ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED diversify the funding sources of non-governmental organisations and reduce OUT BY THE the dependence of non-governmental organisations on project grants by MoI, MoJ, implementing various financial instruments. MoEAC, MoF, We create favourable conditions for the engagement of volunteers and donations. MoSA For this, we reduce the costs, risks and other obstacles related to the engagement of volunteers – insurance of volunteers, secondment within the country, etc. We support the founding and operation of social enterprises. For this, we agree on the meaning and practical use of social entrepreneurship; adapt the legal space to account for social entrepreneurship; extend enterprise support to social enterprises and non-governmental organisations engaged in economic activities. Creating a favourable operating environment We want to achieve a situation where decisions are made together with stakeholders who are affected by the decision or who contribute to the development of a particular area. Engagement is substantive and has a reasonable timetable, leaving sufficient time for actors to react. The advocacy capacity of non-governmental organisations has increased, and public authorities use forms of cooperation of strategic partnership. Funding of non-governmental organisations is transparent and efficient and can be accessed by different non-governmental organisations, but with a reasonable administrative burden. 59 KEY POLICIES We streamline and improve the course of policymaking in ministries and at the local level. For this, we romote engagement processes by making more effective use of engagement ACTIVITIES coordinators of ministries and the network of engagement coordinators; ARE CARRIED increase the engagement capacity of policymakers; OUT BY MINISTRIES, increase the advocacy capacity of non-governmental organisations involved THE in policymaking. GOVERNMENT We make the funding of non-governmental organisations transparent. For this, we OFFICE, LOCAL AUTHORITIES introduce strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations in ministries and their sub-offices; promote cooperation between funders of non-governmental organisations and update the ‘Guidelines for Financing Associations’. 59 More detailed activities are planned in the Open Government Partnership Action Plan. 30 Increasing the role of religious associations in community activities in preventing and resolving social problems In the Republic of Estonia, religious freedom is ensured at the individual and collective level both in law and practically in everyday life. In ensuring religious freedom, policies are shaped by knowledge and taking the changes in society into account. The role of religious associations in supporting communities has grown. KEY POLICIES We promote knowledge-based policymaking in the field of religious affairs and systematically support the activities of religious associations. For this, we advise state and local government institutions on matters related to ACTIVITIES the religious situation in Estonia; ARE CARRIED OUT BY THE support religious associations in self-organisation and supporting communities; MoI, MoC increase the state’s contribution to the restoration of historical and state- protected places of worship as well as protected buildings and artistic assets together with the Estonian Council of Churches, map out the opportunities and needs for conducting joint research and analyses that contribute to the development of the activities in the area; together with the Estonian Council of Churches, guide our activities to raise the awareness and trust of the Estonian population in oecumenical cooperation; involve the representatives of the Estonian Council of Churches in matters concerning the area of activity of religious associations where the Estonian Council of Churches represents the shared positions and interests of their members in relations with the ministry; promote cooperation between religious associations. 31 3.4. Smart population census OBJECTIVE Activities related to people’s life events are convenient, easily accessible and, where possible, automated. Population data are of high quality and serve as a basis for the performance of public tasks and simple administration for the Estonian population. METRICS 60 Proportion of data corresponding Number of queries to the to the reality of residence population register data in the population register (millions) 75% > 75% 125 > 119 Number of population Recommended satisfaction register e-services index with the e-services of the population register 15 > 15 70 > 72 CENTRAL ISSUE Population register software is outdated and does not support the development of modern IT solutions. There are services where data collection does not ensure that the quality of data meets the users’ expectations. WE FOCUS ON RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING ISSUES How to ensure high-quality residence data in the population register which serve as a basis for the We help to achieve foremost the provision of public and local government services to strategic goal/change of ‘Estonia 2035’: the Estonian population? • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia offers a safe and high-quality living environment tha How to ensure that the population register software takes into account the needs of all its is up-to-date and suitable to conveniently provide the inhabitants’; services offered? • Strategic goal: ‘Estonia is an innovative, reliable and people-centred country’; • Change: Governance. How to contribute to making e-services related to We contribute to the UN Sustainable population register data convenient, easily structured Development Goals: and logically connected? 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions How to ensure that the data of all aliens in contact with the country are stored centrally? 60 The base level of the metrics is the latest available information, and the second number indicates the objective for 2030. Additional. information about metrics is provided in Appendix 2. 32 3.4.1. Overview of the area PROBLEMS TO BE RESOLVED AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION POLICIES Many e-services related to There are services where population register data are Ensuring the the data collection inconvenient quality of data process does not ensure that related to the quality of data meets Residents are used people’s life the users’ expectations to using e-services events The population register will continue Population register to be central to the functioning of software is outdated Ensuring the Estonia as an e-state and does not support the availability of Increasing pressure development of modern population to develop software IT solutions register data 3.4 .2. Key policies Ensuring the quality of data related to people’s life events We want to achieve a situation where population data is of high quality and supports the performance of public tasks of the state and local authorities and simple administration for the Estonian population. KEY POLICIES We ensure that the data to be entered in the population register is of the highest possible quality. We increase the importance of population register data in the provision of services. For this, we ACTIVITIES ARE develop new software for the procedures to be performed in the CARRIED OUT BY population register; THE MoI (PBGB, MSIT), develop integrated services (event services); MoJ, MoFA, provide services without the involvement of an official; MoER, NATIONAL ARCHIVES, MoF update the procedures of the population register; (TCB), LAND reduce the amount of paper documents; BOARD, ROAD ADMINISTRATION, develop new e-services; LGS, ETC. improve the quality of residence data. Ensuring the availability of population register data We want to achieve a situation where the population register is reliable and allows providing flexible services. KEY POLICIES We ensure that population register data is available. For this, we updating the population register software; compliance of the population register software with the requirements ACTIVITIES ARE of e-government; CARRIED OUT BY THE MoI, SMIT, lawful use of the population register; MoEAC security of the population register; introduction of up-to-date technology and consistency with work processes. 33 4. Implementation of the strategy and estimate of costs 4.1. Implementation and management of the strategy The strategy is implemented according to the opportunities to achieve the general objective and State Budget Act and the Government of the subobjectives. Republic Regulation no. 117 ‘Procedure for the The work of the strategy steering committee is preparation, implementation, reporting and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, the evaluation of the sectoral strategy and the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign programme and the amendments thereto‘ of 19 Affairs, and it is comprised of the Ministry of the December 2019. There are programmes to Interior, the Ministry of Education and Research, implement the objective and subobjectives of the the Ministry of Economic Affairs and strategy. Programmes are in line with the State Communications, the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Strategy, and another planned year is Ministry of Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, added to the programmes annually. The the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, programme is approved by the ministries who representative of the Association of Estonian plan funds for their activities in the programme, Cities and Rural Municipalities, representatives of but it is also submitted for opinion or information stakeholders and experts. The exact composition to those who plan funds for their activities of the steering committee is determined when through some other sectoral strategy the committee is set up. programme but who also play an important role in the achievement of the objectives set by the If necessary, expert groups are set up to monitor Cohesive Estonia Strategy the preparation and implementation of programmes and to provide information for the The implementation of the Cohesive Estonia activities of the sectoral committee. Strategy is coordinated by the Minister of Culture, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Other ministries and authorities in their area of Foreign Affairs. The tasks of the Ministry of the government participating in the implementation Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of of the strategy implement the strategy in Foreign Affairs in implementing and guiding the accordance with the programme(s). The Ministry strategy include implementing the activities of of Education and Research, the Ministry of their area of responsibility, general monitoring of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the implementation of the strategy, harmonising the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs the activities and dissenting opinions, organising and Communications, the Ministry of Rural the reports and updates of the strategy. Also Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of establishing a steering committee or another Social Affairs contribute to the achievement of working group or council necessary for the the objectives of the strategy. Local authorities, implementation of the strategy and support of non-governmental organisations related to the reporting and assigning their duties to contribute topic and stakeholders are also involved in the to the prioritisation of topics and finding the best implementation of the strategy. 4.2. Reporting and updating the strategy In order to get an overview of the achievement of annually prepare an overview of the imple- the objectives of the strategy, the performance mentation of the measures and activities in thereof is assessed annually as part of the their area of responsibility and submit it to the reporting of the performance area. To this end, Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the ministry participating in the implementation the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the agreed of the development plan that is planning their deadline. Ministries that support the achievement funds in the respective performance area must of the objectives of the strategy with their 34 activities but plan their funds in another per- reviewed and updated as necessary during the formance area present the overview pursuant to process of preparing the State Budget Strategy agreements. Based on the summaries submitted, and draft state budgets. The reports and final a report of the performance area is prepared under report of the performance of the strategy is the coordination of the Ministry of the Interior, the prepared in accordance with the relevant Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign regulations of the Government of the Republic. Affairs. The strategy and programmes thereof are 4.3. Links between the strategy and other strategy documents The Cohesive Estonia Strategy contributes to the objectives set in the Cohesive Estonia Strategy. achievement of the objectives of several other An overview of the links between development development documents and sets cross-sectoral documents is presented in the figure on pages 35 61 goals. Other strategies also have an impact and and 36 and the links are explained in more detail create preconditions for the achievement of the in Appendix 1. COHESIVE ESTONIA STRATEGY 0. 0 / – 0. 1. Estonia 2035 National Plan ‘Estonia Sustainable Estonia 21 2030’ 0. 1. ) G general trends, general trends for the balanced and sustainable preconditions for growth of well-being, settlement development, achieving the objectives cohesion of society, support for integration goals of cohesive Estonia viability of the cultural space takes into account the helps to reduce regional goals set when carrying helps to achieve and social segregation out more specific activities the objectives Starting points of Estonian national integration policy for Estonian Language Estonian Foreign Policy integrating non-Estonians into Development Plan 0. 0/ – 0. 13 Development Plan 2030 Estonian society helps to improve language proficiency, policies for engaging the Estonian general principles, expand opportunities for community abroad and efficient objectives of language training, incl. abroad, consular services for achieving integration policy supports the objectives of the objectives of both foreign integration and adaptation policy and global Estonia additional activities to increase Estonian adaptation and integration activities of global Estonia to engage language proficiency, strengthen policies are in line with the Estonian community, ties with the Estonian state the objectives of preserve the Estonian identity, and cultural space, preserve integration policy support returning the Estonian language abroad 61 – indicates the impact of another development document on the area of cohesive Estonia. – indicates the impact of the Cohesive Estonia Development Plan on the goals of another development document. 35  COHESIVE ESTONIA STRATEGY 0. 0 / – 0. 1. Education Development Plan Youth Field Development Plan Cultural Development Plan 2030 0. 0/ – 0. 13 0. 0/ – 0. 13 helps to shape people’s common policies to empower young people; promotes a cultural space that cultural and value space; the supports the goals of civil values diversity, allows for aim is Estonian-language society, cohesion of society cultural self-determination studies, high-quality learning and global Estonia and encourages engagement opportunities in all counties contributes to these goals supports social activism, shaping a common cultural cohesion, engagement of through integration and civil and value space young people from different society policies s linguistic and cultural backgrounds National Defence Development Plan Principles of Estonian General Principles of Criminal Policy until 2030 0. 0. – 0. 1. Defence Policy provides preconditions for a principles of resilience and cohesion general goals for the prevention cohesive society through of society; goals of tolerance, of offences in cross-sectoral security; goals of migration caring, engagement, attitudes, cooperation and citizenship policy; helps integration, regional to increase people’s activity development helps to prevent the emergence supports the achievement of of sharp social tensions, contributes to the aforementioned, in particular through creating criminal policy goals reduces susceptibility to fragmentation policy, cohesion and increasing supports people’s civic activism proactive attitude Welfare Development Plan Digital State and Cyber Security General Principles of Estonian 0. / 4 – 0. 01 Development Plan 2030 Sports Policy until 2030 (in preparation) social security, social protection; helps Cross-sectoral goals of digital promotes joint activity to reduce the risk of poverty society and cyber security, and integration, regiona for women and children, incl. what is necessary in development creates preconditions for order to promote public increasing the birth rate services helps to improve people’s quality of creates preconditions for promotes communication and life, promotes civic activism, achieving the objectives of a common information space contributes to adaptation digital society through the between people from and integration development of population different linguistic and activities and the population register cultural backgrounds Estonian Agriculture and Fisheries Estonian Research and Development, Development Plan until 2030 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Plan 0. 0/ – 0. 13 development of rural and among others, helps to create coastal areas, incl. activity conditions for social of residents entrepreneurship creates preconditions for the contributes to people’s activity and development of rural and coastal entrepreneurship and helps to areas both through activating increase the capacity of non- civil society and return policies governmental organisations and social enterprises 36 4.4. Links between the strategy and European Union policies 62 The strategy takes into account the law and creating a favourable operating environment for policies of the European Union, incl. goals. The civil society. Cohesive Estonia Strategy 2021–2030 is in line The Cohesive Estonia Strategy contributes to the with the European Union Strategic Agenda for priority ‘Building a climate-neutral, green, fair- 2019–2024. For example, one of the policies of and social Europe’, one policy of which is to pay the European Strategic Action Plan priority attention to social issues, reducing inequalities ‘Protecting citizens and freedoms’ is to agree on and social protection. Policies of adaption and a comprehensive migration and asylum policy. integration, policies of sustainable Estonia and The development trends of this area are taken policies of community Estonia provided in the into account in implementing the policies of the Cohesive Estonia Strategy contributes to the Cohesive Estonia Strategy related to adaptation achievement of these goals. and integration. In the European Union Strategic Agenda, one of the policies of the priority In the Estonian EU policy priorities, it has been ‘Protecting citizens and freedoms’ is to protect considered important in respect of the same society from hybrid threats and misinformation. subobjective that cooperation and programmes The Cohesive Estonia Strategy helps to reduce in the area of culture and sports at the level of the the impact of hybrid threats and misinformation European Union continue to contribute to shaping through increasing the cohesion of society, incl. a cohesive society, for example through promoting social contacts that support unity and developing and ensuring access to culture, incl. promoting common communication and developing digital tools and digital competences. information space. This topic is related to the adaptation and integration activities of the Cohesive Estonia The European Union Strategic Agenda also Strategy, but they are also indirectly related to the highlights the importance of engaging citizens policies of global Estonia that are planned to be and promoting civil society. For example, the used to promote and preserve the Estonian position of the Commissioner for Democracy and identity abroad, incl. to develop a common Demography has been established at the information field and preserve Estonia’s European Commission and the Conference on intellectual and material cultural heritage. the Future of Europe has been organised, giving people a greater opportunity to have a say in matters relating to the EU. The engagement of people and the promotion of civil society is also important in the Cohesive Estonia Strategy, which provides several policies for increasing the capacity of non-governmental organisations and 62 More detailed links with European Union policies are provided in Appendix 1. 37 4.5. Financing and estimated cost of the development plan The strategy programme is financed from the state budget and foreign funds are also used. The allocation of funds is specified in the State Budget Strategy. It shows the planning of state funds by areas of government and programmes. The achievement of the objectives and subobjectives of the development plan is covered by the state budget, but, going forward, the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and, in 2021–2027, the European Social Fund+ and the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund will also contribute to the achievement of the objectives. The cost of the strategy is based on the budget for 2021–2025 planned as part of the budget strategy of the area of government of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Culture. The data of 2025–2030 is indicative. The data does not include the amounts across programmes (revenue and value added tax). The data of the existing budget includes costs by subobjectives, incl. depreciation cost. As the amount indicated in the estimate of the cost of the strategy does not cover all the expenses necessary for the policies, choices will be made in the preparation of programmes for the achievement of objectives based on the state budget and the possibilities and restrictions for the use of European Union funds. The possibility of additional funds for the implementation of the activities depends on economic development and fiscal policy choices. The share of the budget of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Culture in 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 TOTAL the cost of the strategy (million euros) Estonia supporting adaptation and Subobjective 1,56 1,75 0,80 0,52 0,54 0,54 0,54 0,54 0,54 0,54 7,84 integration (adaptation) Estonia supporting adaptation and Subobjective integration (integration) 6,885 4,869 4,659 4,589 4,589 4,589 4,589 4,589 4,589 4,589 48,54 Subobjective Global Estonia 63 0,155 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 0,221 2,14 Subobjective Community Estonia 6,13 3,00 2,99 2,96 2,97 2,97 2,97 2,97 2,97 2,97 32,90 Subobjective Smart population census 5,57 5,30 5,29 5,30 5,14 5,14 5,14 5,14 5,14 5,14 52,26 Financing of political parties 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 5,41 54,13 TOTAL 25,71 20,54 19,36 19,01 18,86 18,86 18,86 18,86 18,86 18,86 197,81 Additional needs 0,00 7,35 10,45 10,82 10,44 10,44 10,44 10,44 10,44 10,44 91,26 63 Part of the funds are planned in the performance area of foreign policy. Only the budget of the Ministry of Culture for the achievement of the subobjective ‘Global Estonians’ is shown here. 38 Abbreviations AECRM Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities MoER Ministry of Education and Research MoJ Ministry of Justice LG Local government MoC Ministry of Culture MoRA Ministry of Rural Affairs MoEAC Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications TCB Tax and Customs Board PBGB Police and Border Guard Board MoF Ministry of Finance MoI Ministry of the Interior SMIT Information Technology and Development Centre of the Ministry of the Interior MoSA Ministry of Social Affairs MoSA SIB Social Insurance Board MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs 39 COHESIVE ESTONIA: INTEGRATION, INCL. ADAPTATION 2022-2025 Performance area Cohesive society Performance area Estonian society is a cohesive and inclusive goals Sectoral Cohesive Estonia 2021-2030 development plan development plan Name of the Integration programme, including adaptation programme Goal of the Estonian society is integrated and socially cohesive, people with programme various linguistic and cultural backgrounds actively participate in the life of society and share democratic values and a common cultural, information and communication space, and feel united. Equal opportunities for successful independent living and well-being have been created for everyone living in Estonia. Programme period 2022–2025 Organisation with Ministry of Culture primary responsibility (ministry) Organisations with co-responsibility (authorities in this area of government) Ministry with co- responsibility and organisations in this area of government (in case of a joint programme) Introduction The programme supports the formation of a cohesive society, contributes to the creation of a sense of cohesion between various population groups in Estonian society and to the growth of Estonian residents' awareness of various cultures and languages. At the national level, integration policy started to be dealt with in the late 1990s: the first development plan in this area was drafted between 1997 and 2000, and institutions dealing with integration policy were established, incl. the Integration Foundation (hereinafter INSA). Since the first development plan in the field of integration was adopted in 2000, eight integration surveys, as well as several studies in the field of integration, have been conducted1, as have final and mid-term evaluations of the development plans and programmes. The studies and analyses confirm that social cohesion has increased and that positive developments have taken place in key areas of integration, but that a number of challenges and bottlenecks remain. Increasing the cohesion of society, as well as the adaptation and integration of people with linguistic and cultural backgrounds different from the country's main population, is becoming increasingly important for the country's stability, economic growth potential and social well- being. Cultural diversity and respect for differences support the country's development potential, but is also a challenge for society. Achieving coherence requires reducing inequalities and exclusion and strengthening social relations, ties and communication. The integration process is necessary so that people do not leave Estonia, that people with migrant backgrounds acknowledge the behavioural norms and values of society, so that everyone in Estonia can realise their full potential regardless of age, gender, ethnic or national origin, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Estonia's adaptation and integration policy is based on the obligations and goals of Estonia's membership in international organizations and takes into account the framework of legal and operational principles defined and coordinated at the level of the European Union. 1 Integration monitoring was conduced in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2020/2021 2 Adaptation, i.e. the first five years after new immigrants arrive, acquire the basic knowledge and skills to operate in the country, is considered to be the first step for further integration. Integration means increasing the cultural, political and socio-economic cohesion of a society. Integration activities support the active participation of people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the development of a socially cohesive society. A successful integration process is primarily driven by voluntary selection and motivation, supported by a national and community institutional framework that includes not only public sector organisations, including local authorities, as well as private sector and civil society organisations. The main target group of the integration policy to date has been the Russian-speaking permanent residents of Estonia who do not have Estonian citizenship and are predominantly citizens of the Russian Federation, or persons with undetermined citizenship. The integration activities, including those focused on adaptation, during the new programming period will be directed at people with Estonian as their mother tongue and greater emphasis will be placed on immigrants (including beneficiaries of international protection), returnees and compatriots. Integration policy, including adaptation, is horizontal in nature and involves a number of policy areas in the national budgetary strategy, helping to achieve their goals, including preserving the Estonian language and culture, ensuring the security of the Estonian state and increasing the competitiveness of the economy. At the same time, the activities of other policy areas must support the implementation of the integration policy goals. This integration programme, which also includes adaptation, describes the activities of the Ministry of Culture that should be included in the activities related to integration of public sector as a whole in order to achieve the integration objectives Programme management The programme is based on the Cohesive Estonia development plan for 2021-2030. The planning and monitoring of the programme’s activities takes place in the steering group for integration, as well as adaptation, and in other cooperation networks active in the field of cultural diversity. 3 The Ministry of Culture, under the leadership of the Undersecretary for Cultural Diversity, is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the programme. The activities and priorities to be implemented are based on the action programme of the Government of the Republic, are coordinated with the state budget strategy every four years, and are concretised yearly as part of national budgetary process. The Ministry of Culture updates the program annually, thereby ensuring that the period of the state budget strategy and state budgetary funds are coordinated. The Ministry also prepares an annual performance report on the implementation of the integration programme, including the adaptation programme, which focuses on the activities financed by the Ministry of Culture and is submitted to the Ministry of Finance in the process of preparing the state budgetary strategy. The programme approved by the Minister is published on the Ministry of Culture website after the State Budget Act is adopted by the Riigikogu and the additional breakdown of state budget resources are completed by the Government of the Republic. The integration programme, which also includes adaptation measures, includes the activities and services that are planned, implemented and financed by the Ministry of Culture and provides an overview of the most important new initiatives. The activities supporting the integration of society that are carried out by other ministries are reflected in the programmes and activities managed by the ministries. The results are also analysed by monitoring benchmarks. Programme objective, indicators and budget Programme objective: Estonian society is integrated and socially cohesive, people with various linguistic and cultural backgrounds actively participate in society and share democratic values, as well as a common cultural, information and communication space, and feel cohesive. Equal opportunities for successful independent living and well-being have been created for everyone living in Estonia. Performance area and programme measures Measure, incl. Initial level Target level Target level Target level Target level source 1 2 3 4 (most recent year) (2022) (2023) (2024) (2025) 4 Share index of 39% Not 40% Not Not people with a measured measured measured 46% 55% strong or average (2020) national identity among people of other nationalities, % Source: Estonian Integration Monitoring (EIM) Proportion of Estonians: Not Estonians: Not Not people with an 47%; measured 48%; measured measured open attitude Other Other based on the nationalities: nationalities: composite 66% 70% tolerance index, % (2020) Source: EIM Self-assessed 93% Not 95% Not Not awareness about of Estonians measured of Estonians measured measured what is happening and 87% of and 88% of in Estonia among people of people of Estonians and other other residents of other nationalities nationalities nationalities, % consider it consider it Source: EIM to be good to be good or very good or very good (2020) 5  Proportion of 41% (fluent Not 50% (fluent Not Not people of other or measured or measured measured nationalities with understands, understands, active Estonian speaks and speaks and language skills, % writes); 8% writes); 8% Percentage of do not speak do not speak people of other Estonian Estonian nationalities who (2020) do not speak Estonian, % Source: EIM Frequency of Estonians: Not Estonians: Not Not contacts between 38%; measured 50%; Other measured measured Estonians and Other nationalities: representatives of nationalities: 75% other nationalities 64% (percentage who (2017)2 have many contacts), % Source: EIM Programme budget ALLOCATION OF COSTS AND INVESTMENTS AMONG THE 2023 2025 2022 budget 2024 budget INDICATORS AND budget budget PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES (€) Integration, including the adaptation -7 074 422 -5 558 231 -5 254 726 -5 256 985 programme 2 In 2020, the data was recalculated in the EIM and the wording of the indicator was changed - “Proportion of residents who communicate closely with Estonians and residents of other nationalities (proportion who communicate every day or at least 4 times a week in the sphere of communication)” 2020 result: Estonians: 30%; other nationalities: 39%. 6 Designing, supporting and -7 074 422 -5 558 231 -5 254 726 -5 256 985 developing integration policies Development of integration, -1 691 948 -1 592 369 -1 525 189 -1 526 332 including adaptation, policies Implementation of integration, -5 382 474 -3 965 862 -3 729 537 -3 730 653 including adaptation, policies Short analysis of the situation Today's Estonia is a country with people of various ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and origins, and as the result of immigration, the society’s heterogeneity as well as linguistic and cultural diversity may increase even more. According to the data of the Population Register, as of 01.01.2021, there were 1,339,361 inhabitants of Estonia, of whom 1,133,954 were citizens of the Republic of Estonia. The number of persons with undetermined citizenship residing in Estonia was 68,992 (5.2% of the population). The citizens of other countries residing in Estonia numbered 136,415 (the largest share were citizens of the Russian Federation (84,952), followed by those with Ukrainian citizenship (11,416)). According to Statistics Estonia (2020), 194 nationalities live in Estonia. Of the country's population, 68% are Estonians, 25% Russians, 2% Ukrainians, 0.8% Belarusians and 0.6% Finns. There is also a small Roma community in Estonia (according to the Population Register, as of 01.06.2021, 673 people have named Roma/Gypsy as their nationality, and about a third of them (237 people), are in the Valga municipality). In the field of integration, regional divisions and the segregation of language environments pose significant challenges. Russian-speaking residents are concentrated in Ida-Viru County and Harju County (especially in Tallinn, Maardu, Paldiski, and Loksa), and they still live in the same settlements where they arrived as immigrants during the post-World War II Soviet era. This situation hinders the cohesion and mutual contacts of the various communities in society. It is therefore necessary to address the cultural, linguistic and regional differences when integrating both new immigrants and people who are not very integrated. 7 During the last decade, significant changes have also taken place in Estonian migration processes as a result of various social, economic and political processes. International migration is nothing new for Estonia but, in recent years, instead of emigration, we are seeing increasing immigration. Since 2015, Estonia's migration balance has become positive, and more and more immigrants want to stay in Estonia permanently. Emigration has decreased and the return of Estonian citizens and immigration has increased. In 2020, 10,023 people received temporary residence permits or rights, of which 6,110 were third-country nationals and 3,913 were EU, EEA or Swiss nationals.3 The greatest number of the European Union citizens coming to live in Estonia come from Finland and Latvia. Among the arrivals from third countries, the largest number come from Ukraine and the Russian Federation. In 2020, the main reasons for immigration from third countries were employment (3024), family migration (2153) and study (662). As in 2019, the immigration limit was reached in the first month of 2020. In recent years, the cohesion of society has increased in some key areas, e.g. the attitude of the Estonian population towards immigration has become more positive. During better times in the economy and the labour market, the labour market gaps between Estonians and people of other nationalities decrease, but during recessions and crises, the disparities increase. The self- assessed Estonian language skills of residents of other nationalities and performance on Estonian language proficiency exams has improved. 3 Data of the Police and Border Guard Board and the Population Register as of 08.01.2020. Decisions on temporary residence permits and rights made on the basis of the Aliens Act and the number of temporary residence rights registered in 2019. The data do not include the number of temporary residence permits issued for permanent residence in Estonia. 8 The percentage of children studying Estonian in immersion classes in pre-school institutions has increased, there has also been an increase in the proportion of Russian-speaking young people who passed the B2 level exam with a very good result (over 75 points). In 2020, the audience for the ETV+ TV channel among the Russian-speaking population has increased by 31% compared to 2019 and it has become the most watched Russian-language TV channel in Estonia on a weekly basis. In 2020, 764 people acquired citizenship through naturalisation, and in 2019, 751 people did so. The number of persons with undetermined citizenship decreased primarily due to demographic processes. At the beginning of 2021, 73,206 persons with undetermined citizenship4 had a valid residence permit or right; at the end of 2019, there were 75,6075. In the field of integration, greater attention has been paid to the proficiency in and acquisition of the Estonian language over the years. Knowledge of the state language impacts both socio- economic and cultural integration. The diversity of Estonian language learning opportunities and the increased motivation of adults to study had an impact on the results of Estonian language proficiency exams. In 2020, 57.6% of those taking a A2, B1, B2 or C1 level exam successfully completed the Estonian language proficiency exam organised by Innove Foundation. The motivation to learn Estonian is strongly related to the labour market. More than 90% of those participating in INSA and Unemployment Insurance Fund language courses, mentioned the ability to better cope and improve their prospects in the labour market as their reason for learning Estonian. The learning of the Estonian language was also motivated by the desire to cope better in everyday situations and to participate in social and cultural life.6 According to the applied research, there are 52,000–68,000 people who plan to learn Estonian in the next three years. Assessments of the importance and reliability of various information sources are still a factor that strongly differentiates the ethnic groups living in Estonia. According to the data in the Monitoring the Integration of Estonian Society (hereinafter EIM) report for 2020, Estonians still consider Estonian Television (ETV) (82%) and other Estonian- language TV and radio channels to be the most important source of information, although 4 Police and Border Guard Board data as of 01.01.2020. 5 About 16,000 persons with undetermined citizenship have been criminally punished and therefore cannot apply for Estonian citizenship. 6 Tallinn University and Estonian Applied Research Centre CentAR (2018). “Estonian language learning in integration and employment policy for adults with a mother tongue other than Estonian: quality, impact and organization“. 9 their importance has slightly decreased since 2017. Of the Russian-language sources, Estonians rated the TV channel ETV + as the most important (19%), the importance of which, together with all other Russian-language sources, has slightly increased compared to 2017. The ranking of media channels by Russian-language residents is dominated by Estonia’s Russian-language news portals (72%) and the Russian-language programme Aktuaalne kaamera (64%), which is followed by the Russian TV channels (61%). The ETV+ TV channel (55%) was assessed as a source of information primarily compared to the local, regional and national Russian-language publications and social media (total 54%). Among Estonian-language information sources, Estonian-language news portals get the highest rating from residents of other nationalities, with a third of the respondents considering them to be important. During the last six years, among people of other nationalities, the local online Russian-language news portals have seen their importance as information sources increase the most, thereby pushing the Russia’s TV channels from first place. In 2020, the number of viewers of Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) TV channels continued to grow, especially among the residents of other nationalities. If in 2016 18.6% of people of other nationalities (aged 4 and over) watched ERR TV channels for at least 15 minutes a week, then in 2020 31.9% of the same group watched ERR TV channels.7 Compared to the indicators of 2016, the number of visitors to rus.err.ee in 2020 has increased more than sixfold. In 2016, the news.err.ee portal had an average of 9,000 unique users per week; in 2020, this figure reached 49,000 people. The number of visitors to the English portal increased fivefold.8 Radio 4 continues to be the Russian-language talk radio with the largest audience, including the radio station with the largest number of listeners in Estonia in terms of everyday radio listeners. On average, 5.6% of Estonians were dedicated listeners of Radio 4, which was the highest result among the Russian-language radio stations.9 About 300 national minority cultural societies are active in Estonia, of which about 250 receive governmental support. Governmental support for minority cultures has proved to be an effective policy tool for preserving the intangible cultural heritage of ethnic groups living in the country and creating a multicultural and open cultural space. According to EIM 2017 7 Source: Kantar Emor, TV audience measurement survey, 2021. 8 Source: ERR, 2021. Gemius Eesti. gemiusPrism Monitoring, 2021. 9 Kantar Emor. Radio and music listening survey, 2021. 10 data, 58% of people of other nationalities do not feel any pressure to give up their national culture and become Estonian, and 85% think that there is room in Estonia for various languages and cultures. The results of EIM 2020 show that contacts between Estonians and people of other nationalities have increased during the last decade, especially in the workplace and study environments, but not in their leisure time. In order to facilitate contacts between people of different nationalities, media and co-operation activities are carried out in support of greater social cohesion, including in the field of culture and sports. There are differences in the way that Estonians and representatives of other nationalities consume culture. According to Statistics Estonia, Estonians were much more active than people of other nationalities in all cultural fields. The greatest difference was between the people going the theatre and the library – with Estonians being much more active. The Estonian Roma community feels a solidarity with Estonia and fellowship with Estonians, but lags far behind the rest of society in terms of socio-economic indicators. According to Statistics Estonia, in 2019 only 2% of Roma had a higher education, 22% had a general secondary or vocational education, 35% had a basic education, 27% had a primary education and 8% had no primary education. As a result, Roma employment is low (around 22%) and coping is difficult. People with severe coping difficulties are not ready to participate in civil society or contribute to society at large. In order to support the educational path of Roma children and increase their participation in public services, the Ministry of Culture launched a Roma mediating service in the Valga municipality in 2020, where about a third of the Estonian Roma live. The service is coordinated by INSA. In order to strengthen Roma civil society and empower the stakeholders, the Ministry of Culture has been implementing network development projects supporting the integration of Roma since 2018 with the support of the EU’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme. A significant number of Estonians also live abroad – approximately 200,000 people. In order to help compatriots keep in touch with Estonia and Estonian culture and preserve Estonian cultural heritage abroad, the Ministry of Culture, through INSA application rounds, is supporting the following: contacts between cultural groups and creative people; cultural exchanges with Estonian communities abroad; the participation of Estonians abroad in major Estonian cultural events; summer language and cultural camps for young Estonians abroad; as well as supporting the return of compatriots to Estonia and offering them counselling and acclimation services. 11 The necessity of these activities is proven by the Compatriots Program 2009–2013 impact study prepared by The Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS) at the University of Tartu and the Baltic Research Institute.10 The survey revealed that the most important activities for Estonians abroad are those that enable people to enter the Estonian linguistic and cultural environment by coming to Estonia, i.e. studying in Estonia, interning in Estonian companies and participating in language camps. Therefore, funds from the budget of the Ministry of Culture are used to support the participation of Estonians abroad in Estonian song festivals, regional song and folklore festivals, and the summer Estonian language and culture camps for Estonian children living that facilitate the development of contacts between Estonian associations abroad with the Estonian national and local governments, cultural organisations and non-governmental organisations, and support activities (counselling, return support for low-income families) help compatriots to return. In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Global Estonian web portal (https://globalestonian.com/) is being developed to facilitate the exchange of information. A large majority (76%)11 of the participants in the survey of Estonians living abroad conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021 were interested in participating in the development of Estonia and satisfied with their involvement. In addition, the need for embassy newsletters was pointed out, which would provide information on, among other things, Estonian success stories and Estonian (cultural) events in the country of residence. Such regular exchange of information was seen, among other things, as an opportunity for cooperation ideas and synergies. According to EIM 2020, during their re-adjustment, the returnees to Estonia receive the most help from their relatives, friends and other close contacts, while only 8% have used the support services provided by the state. Most returnees are not aware of these services. 10 https://www.hm.ee/sites/default/files/ty_rahvuskaaslaste_uuring.pdf 11 https://vm.ee/et/uudised/valisministeeriumi-kusitlus-valismaal-elavad-eestlased-tahavad-osaleda-eesti-arengus 12 In the period 2016–2020, the number of Estonian emigrants exceeded the number of Estonian immigrants, but starting in 2017, more Estonian citizens have immigrated to Estonia than emigrated from Estonia.12 Estonian citizens have mainly migrated to Finland, which is the foreign country with the largest Estonian diaspora, as well as to Great Britain and Germany. Whereas, nine times more people went to Finland than to Great Britain. The largest number of returnees also came from Finland and Great Britain, but also from Russia. 13 In the period 2014–2020, 768 people have returned to Estonia with the support of the compatriot program, and counselling services have been provided to 804 people. The INSA supports the return of Estonians and Estonian citizens who have been away from Estonia for a long time, or were born abroad, by providing financial support and counselling services to those in need. In 2017, return benefits were provided to 119 persons, in 2018 to 149 persons, in 2019 to 68 persons, and in 2020 to 55 persons. In the past about 77 people a year have been counselled within the framework of other activities, but since 2019, when a returnee counsellor started working, about 120 families have been counselled. In 2020, about 350 people participated in experiential counselling meetings for returnees. Great attention is paid to co-operation with local governments in the development of support measures for returnees. Since 2019, INSA has employed an information and co-operation specialist for compatriots, who manages and develops the Global Estonian web portal (https://globalestonian.com/), which provides information on the activities of the global Estonian community and helps to maintain contact with Estonia. To date, 470 Estonian societies, organisations and groups abroad, 320 Estonian community centres abroad and Estonian diplomatic missions, as well as 60 Facebook groups have joined the portal. The final report of Integrating Estonia 2020 was prepared in 2021. Measures, activities and services Measure 1. Design, support and development of the integration policy Goal of the measure: to ensure a legal and supportive environment conducive to integration. 12 Statistics Estonia (2020), see RVR08: External migration by age group, sex and citizenship . 13 Ministry of the Interior, European Migration Network Estonian Contact (2019). Survey of Migration Statistics 2014– 2018. Estonia 13 Benchmarks for the measure Name of the measure Initial level Target Target Target Target level 1 level 2 level 3 level 4 (2020) (2022) (2023) (2024) (2025) Integration policy is Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes coordinated based the development plan in the field of integration. The partner ministries contribute to long-term goals and a functioning network has been established, yes/no Source: Ministry of Culture Modernised legislation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes and grants meet the needs of the target group and an information and value space to support integration has been created, yes/no Source: Ministry of Culture Description of the measure This measure is divided into two activities - the development of integration, including adaptation policy, and the implementation of integration, including adaptation policy, within the framework of which a total of eight direct and indirect public services for integration will be provided. 14 Activity 1.1. Development of integration policy, including adaptation policy Objective: Creating a legal and supportive environment conducive to integration. Integration policy, including adaptation, is designed and developed in an open, knowledge-based and inclusive way. Activity benchmarks Name of the measure Initial level Target Target Target Target level 1 level 2 level 3 level 4 (2020) (2022) (2023) (2024) (2025) Updated legislation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes meets the needs of the target group, yes/no Source: Ministry of Culture Description of the activities The implementation of the Cohesive Estonian Development Plan 2021-2030 is coordinated by the Minister of Culture, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The task of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in implementing and directing the development plan is to implement the activities in their area of responsibility, to monitor the development plan, to synchronise the activities and dissent, and organise the reporting on and updating of the development plan. The Undersecretary of Cultural Diversity at the Ministry of Culture, in co-operation with the Cultural Council of National Minorities formed by the Minister of Culture and the Ida-Viru County's Roundtable of National Cultural Societies, formulate the policies related to the cultural organisations of the minorities. A Roma Integration Council has been set up at the Ministry of Culture to address Roma integration issues and coordinate information. A support network supporting the adaptation of new immigrants has been established in Estonia in order to develop an adaptation policy and create an effective and sustainable system of support services that facilitate adaptation. 15 Close co-operation is organised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor compliance with the obligations under international conventions of the United Nations and the Council of Europe and the rights of national minorities. Programmes for compatriots and kindred nations are implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Research. In addition, the Ministry of Culture is a member of the European Commission's European Integration Network, the European Commission’s National Roma Contact Point – NRCP and represents Estonia in the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues - ADI-ROM. The Ministry of Culture also plans to be the implementing agency for the European Social Fund (hereinafter ESF) during the new European Union funding period of 2021-2027 for the measure related to integration and Estonian-language learning. The Department of Cultural Diversity is responsible for strategic planning and modernisation of legislation in the field of integration as well as adaptation. 16 Developmental needs  The horizontal nature of integration, including adaptation, requires greater cooperation between ministries and policy makers to ensure the success of the process, including the awareness of existing services with local authorities, the third and private sectors and various service providers.  Target groups are not aware of existing services, availability is limited by information fragmentation. Therefore, in addition to launching new activities and building bridges, just as much attention needs to be paid to raising the awareness of target groups so that people can easily understand what services are being offered to them, how they complement each other, and how they can benefit from taking advantage of the services. The most important courses of action and new initiatives for the programming period:  Implementation of the new sectoral development plan.  Close co-operation between the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities and ministries in order to involve local governments in the development of integration, including the adaptation field.  The goal of the Ministry of Culture is to develop activities that enable local governments to contribute to, and implement, these activities.  Ensuring the availability of information and support services that promote integration, including adaptation, for the target group. Services: Development of integration policy, including the adaptation policy 17 The planning and analysis of integration, including the adaptation policy, the organization of co-operation with co-operation partners and the provision of input for the development of sectoral policies in the context of integration and the collection of relevant information take place at the Ministry of Culture under the leadership of the Undersecretary for Cultural Diversity. Most policymaking takes place in the course of drafting and coordinating legislation and regulations. Cooperation with key partners and the involvement of the public is also important, which includes the organisation of an annual integration academy (cooperation seminar with representatives of the related ministries), the organisation of local forums in areas with high proportions of people of other nationalities. Activity 1.2. Implementation of integration, including adaptation, policies Goal: To ensure opportunities for people with different language and cultural backgrounds to actively participate in the life of Estonian society To ensure opportunities for people with various language and cultural backgrounds to actively participate in life in Estonian society, to support minority cultures and promote co-operation between communities, and to create a common cultural and information field. Activity benchmarks Name of the measure Initial level Target Target Target Target level 1 level 2 level 3 level 4 (2020) (2022) (2023) (2024) (2025) Percentage of people 66 80 80 80 80 who have completed free (2020) language courses under the INSA integration programme, % Source: Integration Foundation (INSA) The network of the Yes (2020) Yes Yes Yes Yes organisations of national minorities, the state and other partners is operational, no/yes 18  Source: INSA Opportunities have been Yes (2020) Yes Yes Yes Yes created for closer contacts between Estonians and residents of other nationalities, no/yes Source: INSA Number of Estonian 20 (2020) 15 15 15 15 expatriate cultural societies that are supported, Source: INSA The grants that are Yes (2020) Yes Yes Yes Yes provided meet the needs of the target group and an information and value space supporting integration has been created, no/yes Source: Ministry of Culture Employment rate of 21% (2019) 21 22 23 24 Roma (15-74-year-olds) Source: Ministry of Culture Percentage of Roma 15 25,6 % 26% 27% 28% 29% and older who have a (2019) secondary, vocational or higher education Source: Ministry of Culture Description of the activities 19 The sub-agency, main partner and service provider is INSA, which is headquartered in Narva. Estonian Language Houses, which are structural units of INSA that started operating in 2019, are located in Tallinn and Narva. The results of integration monitoring have shown that most of the INSA's well-established activities, i.e. language and citizenship training, projects for labour market support, support for the identity of national minorities, have proven to be useful in supporting and shaping integration processes. The founder of the foundation is the Republic of Estonia, on whose behalf the Ministry of Culture executes the founder’s rights. The partners in the implementation of adaptation activities include the Tallinn City Centre Government, Tartu Aliens Service Centre, Rakvere City Government, Police and Border Guard Board, Health Board of Estonia, IT and Development Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Society Foundation, and Expat Relocation Estonia OÜ. In the new EU funding period for 2021-2027, the Ministry of Culture also plans to be the implementing agency for the ESF in the measure related to integration and Estonian language learning. Developmental needs  Cultural autonomy and national cultures of national minorities The Impact of the Participation of Estonian National Minorities in National Cultural Activities on their Ethnic Identity, a study conducted by INSA in 201714 showed that, in order to support integration, it is important for national minorities to participate in, as well as understand and acquire, Estonian culture, as well as value and preserve their culture of origin. This has a positive effect on the ethnic and national identity of national minorities, their native linguistic skills and participation in society. However, the administrative capacity of the associations of national minorities needs to be further strengthened and their cooperation with Estonian organisations needs to be supported.  Counselling and information system 14 https://www.kul.ee/sites/kulminn/files/id_uuringu_aruanne.pdf 20  Improving living standards, economic growth and global migration trends have led to an increase in migration volumes. The diversification of the various immigrant groups (returnees, migrants, study and family migrants, beneficiaries of international protection, etc.) and short-term forms of migration impacts Estonia's ability to cope with migration, ensure social cohesion and support integration. Permanent residents of other nationalities with low levels of integration also continue to require attention. Therefore, counselling services that help target groups to cope better in Estonian society must be continued and further developed.  Often, the language level of returnees and their knowledge of the organisation of Estonian society are insufficient for coping here and a large percentage of returnees’ experience adjustment problems, even if they have only lived abroad for a relatively short period. The services aimed at returnees (counselling, including experience counselling, introduction of labour market opportunities, payment of benefits, etc.) require a unified development process. An important factor of the return policy is not only the number of returnees, but also the integration of the target group into the host society and entry into the Estonian labour market, which is why additional opportunities must be found to facilitate the adaptation of returnees to Estonian society. Cooperation and communication  Attention must be paid to shaping the value orientations of the entire society, increasing open attitudes and providing continued support the integration of permanent residents and new immigrants with a mother tongues and cultures other than Estonian, into society. The cohesiveness of society also depends on the readiness of Estonians to become involved. The need to offer activities that also involve Estonians and to encourage communication between different ethnic groups has increased. Support must be continued for the labour Russian- and English-language media in Estonia, thereby raising the awareness of people of other nationalities about what is happening in Estonian society. Language learning and integration training  The provision of free Estonian language training for adults by the state cannot meet the demand. The provision of language learning is hampered by long waiting lists, a shortage of qualified teachers, uneven access to language learning and the lack of 21  information. Insufficient attention has been paid to the practice of the Estonian language in the linguistic environment. Compatriots  More attention needs to be paid to diaspora policies i.e. regarding both returnees from the Estonian diaspora and cooperation with compatriots. Communication with Estonians abroad needs to be developed further. The goal is to enhance cooperation with Estonia’s foreign missions, which are in contact with the local Estonians, as well as to promote cooperation and the exchange of information with compatriots abroad. A very important information channel for reaching the scattered Estonian community is the web portal uniting the interests and needs of both the state and the Estonian community abroad, which addresses the needs of the Estonian expatriate community regarding state services and the possibilities of receiving them in Estonia, and also delivers current information on state activities to the diaspora. Cooperation with local governments  Greater attention needs to be paid to co-operation between the local and national governments in the field of integration. In areas with fewer people who speak another language at home, the local authorities are less prepared to deal with adaptation and integration issues, and there may be a lack of knowledge about existing public services. The majority of local government development plans do not specifically address the issue of adaptation and integration. Closer cooperation with local governments is required for the implementation of adaptation and integration services for long-term permanent, but poorly integrated, residents. Roma  The representatives of the Estonian Roma community have a low educational level compared to the rest of society. As a result, they have more difficulty than others entering and remaining in the labour market and integrating into modern society. Roma have a low level of participation in civil society organisations, have significantly less trust in state institutions than other nationalities, and are much more likely to encounter intolerance because of their nationality.15 In order to promote the socioeconomic integration of the Roma, to strengthen the Roma national culture and identity that supports it and dispel 15 L. Karabeshkin, N. Derman. Eesti romade kuuluvustunne ja osalemine ühiskonnaelus. Tallinn, 2018. 22 stereotypes about the community, it is important to more effectively support the educational path of Roma youth, the participation of Roma in public services, the formation and capacity of Roma civil society organisations and the introduction of Roma culture and history to the Estonian population. 23 Key actions and new initiatives for the programming period: Cultural autonomy and national cultures of national minorities  Support for local governments intended for national minorities, including the relevant cultural societies and their umbrella organizations, and minority culture, is continued.  The ESTROM16 project supporting Roma integration, launched in 2018 and supported by the European Commission, is continued, to promote cooperation and dialogue between integration stakeholders, Roma, local authorities and state institutions. Kindred peoples  The activities of the non-profit Fenno-Ugria NGO, which develops ties between Finno-Ugric peoples, cultural exchange as well as cultural contacts between kindred nations and the celebration of the Pan-Finno Ugric Day. Counselling and information system  The provision of adaptation services to compatriots and the establishment of a support network to facilitate people’s return to Estonia will continue, including co-operation with local governments.  The provision of Roma mentoring services in local governments will be continued with the aim of raising the awareness of the socio-economically disadvantaged Roma about their rights and responsibilities, improving the capacity of the public sector to guarantee these rights and bridging status gaps between the Roma and non-Roma communities.  An adaptation program introducing Estonian society, language and culture to new immigrants, including returnees, will be continued.  Adaptation and integration paths have been developed and implemented in local governments based on event service methodology. 16 https://www.eestiromad.ee/ 24 Cooperation and communication activities  Contacts between people of various nationalities will be intensified, for which services in the field of sports and culture will be developed.  Cross-media programs have been implemented to increase social cohesion and raise public awareness of the citizens of other countries living in Estonia.  Support is being given to (national) institutions and organisations to improve the exchange of information in other languages.  Information about new services will be added to the Global Estonian web portal (https://globalestonian.com/) and it will become multilingual. Language learning and integration instruction  The learning o of the Estonian language will be enhanced. The number of people who speak and actively use the Estonian language grows. High-quality Estonian language learning and a motivating communication environment are ensured for everyone. The startup-up of Estonian Language Houses will be facilitated. Estonian Language Houses have been established as INSA units in Tallinn and Narva, where Estonian language learning and supporting services were launched in premises set up for this purpose in 2019. Free Estonian language lessons and other activities that enable the use of the language are organised in the Estonian Language Houses.  In-service training of teachers offering Estonian language instruction to adults continues and non-formal language learning activities for practicing the Estonian language also need more attention. Investments in IT solutions are needed to create additional language learning opportunities.  In order to increase the communicative language skills of students aged 15-18 at Russian and Estonian general education schools, four-week student exchanges are organised between general education schools with different languages of instruction. Student exchanges support the ongoing educational reform and the transition to Estonian as the language of instruction at the upper secondary level.  Estonian language learning has been implemented at the basic level of the adaptation programme. 25 Compatriots  Through their activities, Estonian cultural societies operating abroad contribute to the preservation and development of the Estonian language and culture in the world, report on Estonian cultural events and help create of a sense of belonging to the Estonian state in the Estonian communities abroad. Support measures are implemented by INSA. The measures contribute to the improvement of Estonia's reputation and influence abroad, the internationalisation of Estonian culture and the realisation of its export potential. Linguistic and cultural camps are organized for compatriots aged 13- 18 who live abroad.  The Global Estonian web portal (https://globalestonian.com/), which was transferred to INSA by the Central Council of Estonians in Canada in 2019, is maintained and developed throughout the year. Roma  To support the educational and socio-economic integration of the Roma, INSA provides mentoring services in local governments. The service focuses in particular on supporting the educational and cultural life of Roma children and young people and the inclusion of Roma in general public services.  The network supporting Roma integration and the empowerment of Roma civil society will be further developed.  By introducing Roma culture and history, the prejudices and negative stereotypes about the Roma community that have spread are being reduced. 26 External instruments, the European Social Fund  the new ESF period, the Ministry of Culture will be responsible for implementing the following activities: informing the public about migration, adaptation and integration issues; Estonian language learning (incl. activities for language practice and civic education); promoting contacts between communities; supporting integration, including adaptation at local level; providing an adaptation program; implementing support activities to increase the competitiveness of people with various linguistic and cultural backgrounds and returnees in the labour market. Services: Supporting the cultural autonomy of national minorities Supporting cultural self-administration in order to fulfil the objectives of the Law on Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities. The cultural self-administrations of the national minorities that meet the conditions for cultural autonomy prescribed in the Law on Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities are the target group for the service. The purpose of the service is to create conditions for the cultural self-administrations to fulfil the objectives arising from the Law on Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities through the updating of the law and support allocated from the state budget. 27 Support for national cultures Support will be provided to partner organisations for the preservation and promotion of national cultures. The INSA will implement the Ministry of Culture application round for to provide operating support for the umbrella organisations of national minorities, as well as project grants for national minority organisations. In addition, the INSA provides mentoring services in local governments for the Roma in order to involve them into general public services. The Ministry of Culture will continue to develop a network in support of Roma integration and to strengthen Roma civil society. The introduction of Roma culture and history continues. Supporting the implementation of the counselling and information system Supporting the development and implementation of the INSA advisory and information system. The use of the service ensures the availability of information necessary for integration for the participants in the service (poorly integrated permanent residents, new immigrants, returnees, counsellors working in the areas of government of other ministries, local governments). Support for cooperation and communication activities Supporting partner organizations to promote cooperation. Supporting the implementation of projects in the field of culture and sports through application rounds implemented by INSA in the various regions of Estonia. The INSA helps to promote cooperation between the organisations dealing with integration and supports integration and intensify international contacts in Estonia, and thereby, expand the common information field and increase awareness about cultural diversity. Supporting the provision of language learning and integration training Support for integration training modules organised by the INSA (citizenship exam preparation module, culture module, language learning module (Estonian language proficiency A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1 level courses, and linguistic and cultural immersion)). Supporting the main activities of the Estonian Language Houses established by the INSA and activities related to the teaching of Estonian at the University of Tartu. The support promotes the Estonian language skills of poorly integrated permanent residents and new immigrants, their preparation for the Estonian citizenship exam and their participation in Estonian cultural and social life, and the in-service training of adult Estonian language teachers. 28 Support for compatriots Supporting the organisation of language camps for Estonian children and young people living abroad with the funds allocated to the INSA. Supporting the implementation of cultural projects of the Estonians living abroad and returnees through INSA application rounds and counselling before and after their return. Supporting partner organizations and developing the Global Estonian web portal (https://globalestonian.com/). Implementing adaptation policies In cooperation with the public, private and third sector, targeted and customized customer- driven adaptation services are provided. People in Estonia are living in a single reliable Estonian information space, and thanks to needs-based information channels, people are well informed about what is happening in Estonia. Regular, clear, factual and consistent public communication regarding adaptation and integration is ensured. As a result, the Estonian population’s knowledge about adaptation, human rights and equal treatment will increase and the polarisation of society will decrease. The ability of public, private and third sector organizations to effectively provide services to people whose mother tongue is not Estonian is supported. The departments of local governments also provide more adaptation and integration services. The relations between partners have also been improved so that the cooperation between the providers of adaptation and integration services as become more effective and the parties are better aware of their roles. 29