The youth field in Estonia is governed by a range of legal acts. Youth Work Act (Noorsootöö seadus, 2010) states that a young person is a natural person between 7 and 26 years of age. The Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 (Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2021-2035), adopted 12 August 2021, outlines four strategic goals in the field of youth.

The four strategic goals are:

• Strategic goal no. 1: MOMENTUM – Young people are the creative momentum driving the society onwards – the drivers and leaders in the fields of education, culture, economy, the environment and so on.
• Strategic goal no. 2: PARTICIPATION – The protection of youth rights in the state is consistent and active youth participation is supported.
• Strategic goal no. 3: INDEPENDENCE – quality youth work (including hobby education for young people) is available across Estonia and provides all young people with opportunities for versatile self-development, experiencing success, acquiring experience, and gaining independence.
• Strategic goal no. 4: SECURITY – The exclusion and detachment of young people is noticed and prevented through a safety net that increases a sense of security.

The Ministry in charge of youth is the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium). Within the Ministry, the Department of Youth Affairs (Noortepoliitika osakond) is responsible for youth, covering areas of youth work, hobby education, and talent policy. The Education and Youth Board (Haridus- ja Noorteamet/ Harno), established on 1 August 2020, is the national government agency responsible for the operational implementation of education and youth policy. It was formed through the merger of four former state-level institutions: Innove Foundation, Archimedes Foundation, Information Technology Foundation for Education (HITSA), and the Estonian Youth Work Centre (ENTK).

According to the Local Government Organisation Act (Kohaliku omavalitsuse korralduse seadus, 1993), local governments have a key role in organising youth work services. Most financing of youth work comes from the budgets and own income of local municipalities. According to the Youth Sector Development Plan 2021–2035, total state funding for youth policy and youth work over the period 2021–2035 is 356.29 million euros.