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EACEA National Policies Platform
Estonia

Estonia

5. Participation

5.7 “Learning to participate” through formal, non-formal and informal learning

Last update: 28 November 2023
On this page
  1. Policy Framework
  2. Formal learning
  3. Non-formal and informal learning
  4. Quality assurance/quality guidelines for non-formal learning
  5. Educators' support

Policy Framework

There are two most relevant policy documents in relation to social and civic competencies and participation of youth in society and decision-making in Estonia:

In 2002 the Parliament adopted The Estonian Civil Society Development Concept, that forms a basis for the strategic development of civil society in Estonia. The document defines principles and values that are important both for the public and non-profit sector. Using this document as a basis, the Government adopted the Civil Society Development Plans, which are nowadays replaced by new COHESIVE ESTONIA STRATEGY 2030  prepared in cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which continues to form a basis for the strategic development of coherent and cohesive society in Estonia. The document defines civil society as the foundation of a cohesive society. The plan focuses on four priorities:

  • Estonia supporting adaptation and integration
  • Global Estonia
  • Community Estonia
  • Smart population census

For the fiel of participation most relevant priority is "Community Estonia". The objective of this sounds as "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." Under that objective, activities to raise the awareness and activity of the population, increase the capacity of communities and increase the capacity of non-governmental organisations and social enterprises are planned as some others. Within named objective, policies and activities State authorities focus  on resolving issues as: 

  1. How to support the social participation of older people, young people, and people with other native languages and undetermined citizenship
  2. How to value and empower communities as key players in shaping the living and working environment and providing joint activities
  3. How to increase the capacity and economic sustainability of non-profit organizations and social enterprises
  4. How to ensure transparent decision-making with the active participation of civil society and the ability of non-profit organizations to have a systematic voice in representing the interests of their members
  5. How to increase the role of religious associations in community activities in preventing and resolving social problems

As a result increase of the social participation of young people is expected.

According to the new strategic framework, there is a joint responsibility for the implementation of the joint strategy. The Document is implemented together by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Establishing of a steering committee with an advisory role is planned to support the implementation of the development plan. The work of the steering committee should be coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, it might include the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the State Chancellery, the Union of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities, representatives of interest groups and experts.

It is an improvement on a policy level, that youth as the target group addressed also in Cosesieve Estonia 2030 strategy. Very positive approach, that in most relevant areas cross with Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 strong connection is shown.

The national strategy to increase youth participation is part of the Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 (Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2021-2035; see chapter 5.5). Please see chapter 5.5. for information on the implementation and target groups of the plan. The framework of reference for the civic and social competencies used in the development plan is not defined.

Formal learning

Citizenship education “Civics and citizenship education” exists as a compulsory separate subject both in basic and secondary general education. In basic school, the obligatory time taught in 2nd stage of study is 1 lesson per week and 3rd stage of study 2 lessons per week.  The National curriculum for upper secondary schools defines that two courses are obligatory to be taught in Civics and citizenship education. The national curricula introduced in 2011 established several competencies related to citizenship education (values, social skills, communication skills and entrepreneurship skills) for which the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes to be mastered by the end of each ISCED level are defined.

According to the national curriculums, the following learning objectives are defined for a basic and upper secondary school in the area of social studies and in particular Civics and citizenship education.

National curriculum for upper secondary schools: the objective of teaching social subjects in upper secondary school is to develop students’ social competence; it refers to the ability to understand the causes and effects of the social changes taking place in the history of humankind and in modern-day society; recognize basic social scientific research methods and use some of them in studying and in everyday life; create future scenarios and visions in an area that is important socially or personally; know about and respect human rights and democracy, be informed about civil rights and duties, and be familiar with the skills and behaviour that are in accordance with them; recognize cultural specificities and follow generally accepted etiquette; and continuously show an interest in the development of one’s nation, community and the world, shape one’s own opinions and be an active and responsible citizen. In Civics and citizenship education students acquire social writing skills: knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for functioning in society and making responsible decisions. The aim of the subject is to create the preconditions for the strengthening of the identity of a citizen and social cohesion, shaping active citizens, supporting the formation of readiness for dialogue and respect towards people who understand the world differently, as well as the self-awareness of students in questions regarding worldviews.

Non-formal and informal learning

Participative structures within formal education settings (e.g. pupils' participation in school councils)

In Estonia, the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act defines the legal framework for student bodies and student councils in basic and upper secondary schools. The Act defines, that the student body of a school has the right to decide and independently organise the matters of student life in accordance with acts and legislation adopted based on acts. A student body has the right to:

  • form unions and organisations with other student bodies
  • become a member of Estonian and international organisations or pursue cooperation with them through a student council
  • decide and organise all the other matters of student life, which fall within the competence of student bodies.
  • elect a student council who represents the student body within the competence of the student council

The Acts concerning higher and vocational education, define the legal framework for student bodies and student councils in the education institutions, e.g. the Vocational Educational Institutions Act (2013).

Generally, the definition of a Student Body defines the body as an institution, which exercises the right of the students to self-government – to decide on and manage independently, be active on the issues of student life based on the interests, needs, rights and obligations of students, also to establish a student council.

Measures to encourage student participation in the local community and wider society

The Network of Estonian Non-profit Organizations in cooperation with Estonian Youth Work Centre (starting from 01.08.2020 Education and Youth Board) and the Ministry of education and research launched a programme Community practice (kogukonnapraktika) in 2015. Supported by European Social Fund and state budget the programme aims to introduce a practical community work as part of the curricula of civic education for upper secondary level. The cooperation programme provides students with the opportunity to experience a short-term practical work period.

Partnerships between formal education providers, youth organisations and youth work providers

The Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 defines the following policy goals in relation to partnerships between formal important stackeholders, education providers, youth organisations and youth work providers:

  • creating opportunities for young people to communicate with the professionals of their area of interest;
  • ensuring opportunities for developing entrepreneurial competences via social entrepreneurship, community work, creative industries and youth work (including participation opportunities); 
  • providing young people with the prerequisites of developing the habits and skills for self-expression (including through the development of school democracy on all levels of education and enabling creative self-expression through hobby education for young people);
  • ensuring the purposefulness, valuation, appreciation and acknowledgement of the competences acquired in youth work (including hobby education for young people), especially in formal education.

The financial support for these policy measures is not specified but is part of larger programmes supporting youth work and the implementation of the Development plan in general.

Supporting non-formal learning initiatives focusing on social and civic competences

In Estonia, youth participation and initiatives to support the capability to participate through non-formal learning are generally supported via youth work provision as participation is defined in Estonia as a goal, value, and as a method in youth work. There are specific policy goals defined in the Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 and there is systematic public financing available. In general, the youth work programs supporting the participation include support schemes for youth organizations and local youth councils, there are training programs available for youth workers both as higher education and as training (see chapter 1 for additional information). In the plan, specific attention is given to the target group of youth at risk of exclusion due to several reasons. Please see chapter 5.5. for further information. The renewed plan brings even more ambitiously youth participation on the stage. Participation is one of the four objectives, but civic competencies go through all four objectives. 

Quality assurance/quality guidelines for non-formal learning

There is no single system of quality assurance/quality guidelines specific to non-formal learning activities/projects in general. There is support for youth work quality initiated by Estonian Youth Work Centre (starting from 01.08.2020 Education and Youth Board) and there is a mechanism to monitor policy implementation (see chapter 5.5.), however, the participation of young people is considered as a part of youth work and youth policy goals.

Educators' support

There is no specific certification in the area of civic educators established in Estonia. There is a possibility to gain professional education as a teacher and youth worker, both professions include competencies in relation to civic education and participation as part of the occupational standard.

Until 2019, there was a regular offer of training and materials available for people working in formal and non-formal settings with young people systematically provided by Youth Agency of the Archimedes Foundation (starting from 01.01.2021 the Department of Youth Programs of the Agency of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps).

There is an initiative to create a network of stakeholders active in the civic education field in order to support the development of cooperation inside and between formal and non-formal education.