Estonian Civil Society Development Concept “Cooperation Between the Government and Civil Society Organisations in Estonia” Kaja Kaur Chief Specialist Ministry of the Interior of Estonia

Forms of civil society organisations: Estonian legislation considers three types of civil society organisations: Non-profit Associations - voluntary associations of persons or organisations the objective or main activity of which shall not be the earning of income from economic activity; Foundations - legal persons in private law which have no members and which are established to administer and use assets to achieve the objectives specified in its articles of association. Partnerships groups- two or more persons (partners) undertake to act to achieve a mutual objective and to help to achieve the objective in the manner established by the contract, above all by making contributions. Non-Profit Associations Act (1996), Foundations Act (1995), Law of Obligations Act (2002)

Strengths of the NGO sector in Estonia: Formed traditions and willingness to move on; Strengthening capacity of civil society organisation and tendency of development in partnerships and cooperation; Awareness of public sector institutions. According to the register ( ) there are NGOs (19 614) and 700 foundations in Estonia

What is Estonian Civil Society Develpoment Concept - EKAK? EKAK is a document that defines: mutually complementing roles of public authorities and civic initiative principles of their cooperation mechanisms and priorities for cooperation in shaping and implementing public policies and building up civil society in Estonia.

United Commission of Government and NGO representatives the Estonian Civil Society Development Concept (EKAK) approved by the Parliament in December 2002; work of the commission is organised in three working-groups: law and involvement, financing and statistics, civic education and public awareness; report has to be done on its work to the Government every year and every second year a public discussion on the issue of civil society development has to take place in the Parliament; working out a strategic activity plan.

EKAK implementation 11 goals: 1. Establishing of structures to increase cooperation between the government and CSOs (civil society organizations,a.k.a. nonprofits) in the development of civic initiative 2. Clear mechanisms for the involvement of CSOs to the development and implementation of policies and legislative acts 3. Overview of different forms of civic engagement and appropriate legal environment for the support of civic initiative 4. Effective usage of ICT means for the involvement of citizens into decision-making processes

5. Transparent and clear funding schemes targeted to support the development of CS and CSOs from the state budget 6. Improved and targeted system of tax benefits and charitable giving 7. Overview of umbrella organizations, their current and possible future role in cooperation with the public sector 8. Adequate and informational register of non-profit organizations, and data collection methods describing civic engagement 9. Educational institutions are nurturing the development of caring and responsible citizens who value participation and volunteering 10. Infrastructure and networks supportive of civic engagement and civic initiative 11. Various opportunities for life-long learning accessible for everyone

Activities on promoting citizen participation in the Ministry of the Interior, local government department Analyzing practices in use and planning further activities; policy making on active community building; local democracy development; rising knowledge and introducing best practices; counseling local governments and civil society organisations; coordinating cooperation between sectors and institutions on the issue of civil participation; supporting community initiatives; improving the supporting infrastructure development for citizen participation.

For further information and contacts: Ministry of the Interior of Estonia Pikk St TALLINN ESTONIA