4.8 Current debates and reforms
The Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 (Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2021-2035), the central policy document in the area of youth, has been adopted in August 2021 and will be in force until 2035, with one of the major changes being aimed at strengthening youth-oriented solutions (including support and safety networks).
One of the strategic objectives of the Policy Development Plan is focused on assuring that the exclusion and detachment of young people is noticed and prevented through a safety network that increases a sense of security. In order to achieve this goal, following has been foresighted:
4.1. Providing young people necessary support and equal opportunities;
4.2. Reducing the risk of exclusion and detachment of young people;
4.3. Understanding the causes of young people’s risk behaviour and the risk of exclusion; designing services based on the real needs of young people.
Based on the strategic plan, more detailed operational plans will need to be developed and that will largely determine also the focus of further debates and reforms.
Furthermore, based on wider directions of policy reforms in Estonia, in relation to social inclusion, among others, following issues are under attention:
- Further efficiency and decentralization of integrated services, aimed at providing early prevention and support closest to those who need it and with least effort for the clients in need. For example in the case of children and youth with special educational needs, an integrated approach from both education and social services. The ambition is to raise the effectiveness and impact of services including youth work services and through better coordination to safeguard the sustainability of the social protection system and services provision.
- Support to mental health of youth and parents.
- Support to parental skills.
- Development of e-services.