On this page

1. Existence of a national strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

4. Revisions/updates

Existence of a national strategy

There is no single document that could be considered a national strategy on creativity and culture for young people, but a set of official documents integrating major directions to be followed in the organization of policymaking and implementation in relation to creativity and culture for young people.

The following strategies are most relevant forming a national policy of creativity and culture for young people:

• The general principles of the cultural policy up to 2020 (Kultuuripoliitika põhialused aastani 2020, approved by Parliament 12. February 2014).
• The Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 (Noortevaldkonna arengukava 2021-2035), approved by Parliament 12. August 2021).

As the general principles of the cultural policy will end with 2020, the implementation will be continued under the culture programme up to 2023 (Kultuuriprogramm 2020-2023).

Scope and contents

The general principles of the cultural policy up to 2020

The general principles of the cultural policy adopted by the Riigikogu (the parliament) are the basis for the state’s decisions in the field of culture up until 2020.

The document defines the main objective, the principles of shaping and realizing the cultural policy and the priorities in specific areas such as architecture, design, performing arts, filmmaking, music, literature, and publishing, visual arts, cultural journalism and media, cultural diversity, heritage conservation, museums, libraries, folk culture.

The main objective of the cultural policy is to form a society that values creativity by maintaining and improving the national identity of Estonia, researching, storing, and transferring cultural memory, and creating favorable conditions for the development of a vital, open, and versatile cultural space and for participating in culture.

The target group of the policy document is the whole population; children and young people are only highlighted under some of the priorities in specific areas. Within the youth population, no specific target groups are identified.

The Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035

The general objective of the plan: A wide variety of development opportunities, a sense of security, and strong support for young people create an Estonian state that they wish to further.

The sub-objectives of the Development Plan are:

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.
2. PARTICIPATION: The protection of youth rights in the state is consistent and active youth participation is supported.
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.
4. SECURITY: The exclusion and detachment of young people is noticed and prevented through a safety network that increases a sense of security

The plan is aimed at all young people from 7 to 26 years.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

The responsible authority for the coordination of the implementation of the general principles of the cultural policy up to 2020 is the Government of Estonia, specifically the Ministry of Culture.

The responsible authority for the coordination of the implementation of the Youth Sector Development Plan is the Ministry of Education and Research.

No evidence-based assessment or evaluation of the implementation of both policy documents has been conducted.

Revisions/updates

The general principles of the cultural policy up to 2020 were not preceded by other policy documents since 2000 as the earlier version of the general principles of the cultural policy was adopted in 1998. There have been no revisions or updates to this document.

The Youth Field Development Plan was preceded by other policy documents since 2000. At the state level, the development of the youth field is being planned for the third time. The “Estonian Youth Work Concept” and the “Estonian Youth Work Development Plan 2001-2004” were drafted in 2001, these were followed by the "Youth Work Strategy 2006-2013" which was approved in 2006. What differentiates that development plan from the previous documents is its approach to focus on goals and measures that will help to achieve positive change in the most significant challenges – the plan does not describe measures in all areas of youth work and youth policy. Also, the aims and objectives based on and formulated in accordance with youth perspective as opposed to a perspective of the sector or services used in earlier documents – the analysis and the policy objectives were about young people not about the system and services of youth work or youth policy. Youth Sector Development Plan 2021-2035 was adopted in 2021.