Estonia
Estonia
Funding for youth “The Next Step” / “Järgmine samm”
The main governmental authority responsible for youth policy is the Ministry of Education and Research , specif- ically its Youth and Talent Policy Department. In order to implement an integrated youth policy, all ministries must take into account the specific needs of young people. The youth sector development plan for 2021-2035 (Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2021-2035 (in Esto- nian) / Youth Sector Development Plan (in English) also mentions the European Youth Goals, international youth work, youth volunteering and environmental aspects. The Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of the Environment are already collaborating to imple- ment an environmental education and awareness action plan that will increase cooperation between these fields and raise awareness of environmental issues. The Government Office is responsible for coordinating the preparation, implementation and amendment of the strategy “ Estonia 2035 ” in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. The goals were agreed at discussions that took place across Estonia over a period of two years, and reflect the outcomes of a survey (to which almost 17,000 people responded). The Estonian National Youth Council (ENL) is helping to draft the Estonia 2035 strategy docu- ment and in doing so, represents the positions of young Estonians. Funding schemes and support mechanisms/structures Archimedes Foundation The Archimedes Foundation is an independent body established by the Estonian government in 1997 with the objective to coordinate and implement interna- tional and national programmes and projects in the field of training, education, research, technological development and innovation. The Archimedes Founda- tion offers a database listing Estonian projects realised under the main funding programmes such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. The project data-
base includes projects on environmental protection and climate change. There is also a collection of examples of good practices .
in line with the theme of International Youth Day 2021. It was open to young people aged 7 to 26 from Estonia. The project ideas could be submitted as a poster, video, presentation, document describing the idea, presenta- tion, keynote speech, etc. The maximum grant per project was €2,000.
The Next Step is a competition funded by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Education and Youth Board. The competition supported young people's initia - tives to tackle community bottlenecks. It also focused on green opportunities at local level and supported projects that strengthened cooperation between young people in Estonia and Ukraine. The competition was open to young Estonians aged 7-26. The maximum grant per project was €2,000.
Further information: Archimedes Foundation
Education and Youth Board (Harno)
Further information: Lightning competition
The Education and Youth Board (Harno) is an agency within the Ministry of Education and Research that deals with the implementation of Estonian education and youth policy. Harno was established in 2020, and its portfolio of services is a continuation of those previously provided by Foundation Innove, the Archimedes Foun- dation and the Information Technology Foundation for Education and Estonian Youth Work Center. Harno’s youth department promotes the implementa- tion of quality youth policy and organises and develops Estonian youth work services. Its youth information website www.teeviit.ee carries information on envi- ronment and consumption as well as on international opportunities. The National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth in Action and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in Estonia is part of Harno. It oversees funding apportioned in Estonia, manages the programmes in Estonia and is responsible for programme communication. Erasmus+ and the ESC provide a considerable number of opportunities for young Estonians in the environment and sustainable development fields. The National Agency also functions as the Eurodesk office in Estonia . Harno’s internationalisation department coordinates international cooperation and scholarship programmes for study and work abroad, as well as scholarship programmes for study and research at Estonian univer- sities.
National Foundation of Civil Society / KÜSK
National Foundation of Civil Society (NFCS) is a state-fi - nanced civil society fund that supports non-govern- mental organisations in developing their capacities. NFCS supports over 100 projects and initiatives each year. Supporting international cooperation of Estonian NGOs is one of its strategic goals. For example, it supported the Let’s Do It cleanup day and its internationalisation.
Further information: AEYC: Järgmine samm
Foundation Environmental Investment Centre
The Foundation Environmental Investments Centre (EIC) is an independent body established by the government under the Ministry of Finance. It is responsible for medi- ating state budget funds, EU funds, funds from foreign aid programmes and the Green Investment Scheme and for granting loans for environmental projects. Funded projects can be searched in Estonian language in a project database , which includes, among others, projects funded by the EU Structural Funds or under the Environment Programme. EIC also funds projects for young people such as nature trips for Ukrainian chil- dren and young people or an annual video competition for primary school children. Every autumn children are invited to submit clips that offer imaginative solutions to a specific environmental problem.
Further information: National Foundation of Civil Society
Further information: Environmental Investment Centre
Lightning competition “The Future is NOW!”
The Lightning competition “The Future is NOW!” was co-funded under the European Social Fund, approved by the Minister of Education and Research and imple- mented by the Education and Youth Board. The compe- tition aimed to focus attention on the sustainable use of food systems and the health of people and the planet,
Further information: Education and Youth Board
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