Since 1998, when development co-operation was first planned and initial projects were implemented, it has been an increasingly important foreign policy instrument for the Republic of Estonia. In 2005, Estonia spent about 0.08% of its gross national income (GNI) on development co-operation, a sum of US$ 9.52 million. It intends to steadily increase its share as well as to advance its status and role among other international donors. The European Council decided in June 2005 that new European Union (EU) Member States should strive to reach an Official Development Assistance (ODA) target of 0.17% of their GNI in 2010 and 0.33% in 2015. Estonia adheres to this decision.

Estonian objectives and priorities for development co-operation policy are outlined in the ‘Principles of Estonian Development Co-operation’, approved by Riigikogu (the Parliament) in January 2003 as a successor to the previous policy document, ‘Principles of Development Co-operation for the Years 1999–2000’.

The updated Parliament-approved document states Estonia’s continuous support for countries and regions striving to achieve consistent economic and social development. As an integral part of Estonian foreign policy, development co-operation is directed towards ensuring peace, democracy, the observance of human rights, economic and social stability and the eradication of poverty in the world, in accordance with internationally-approved principles of sustainable development. Estonia follows the UN Millennium Declaration and the principles for humanitarian and development aid established by international organisations, such as the UN, the OECD and the EU. Estonia is basing its assistance on the principle that the main responsibility for development primarily lies on the developing countries themselves.

As assigned by The Government of the Republic Act, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for and co-ordinates Estonia’s development co-operation in terms of policy planning and implementation. A separate Development Co-operation Division, established in 2001 in the External Economics and Development Co-operation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the co-ordinator for policy planning and implementation. The Development Co-operation Division is led by a director and consists of five diplomats. Furthermore, one diplomat responsible for development co-operation issues is also positioned at the Estonian Representation to the EU.

As the main body responsible for international development co-operation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had a separate budget line for development co-operation and humanitarian aid since 2004. Other governmental agencies may, however, implement specific projects and other activities considered as development co-operation in the scope of their competencies and financed by their own budgets.

As Estonia has been successful in rebuilding a democratic state and society, it is able and willing to share its experiences and practical knowledge with countries interested in learning from Estonia’s know-how, mainly the CIS (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine) and Balkan countries.

Until today, Estonia has shared its experiences with countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Albania, Tajikistan, Moldova, Kyrgyz, Belarus, Azerbaijan etc., in fields ranging from World Trade Organization accession negotiations and the reforming of the national health care system, to the implementation of information technology in state administrations. The aim of Estonian development co-operation is to ensure long-term stability and continuous development in recipient countries.

Estonia is also planning to reinforce its efforts concerning the situation of indigenous people, where Estonian NGOs possess a certain experience.
To improve the planning processes and use of financial means, the Estonian government approved in May 2006 the ‘Strategy of Estonian Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid 2006–2010’. This strategy formulates the objectives of Estonian development co-operation and humanitarian aid, and the fields of activities and major partners among the countries and international organisations have been specified up to the year 2010. The priority partner countries of Estonian bilateral development co-operation are Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The strategic objectives of Estonian development co-operation are: 

• to contribute to reducing global poverty and human development in developing countries;
• to support peace and stability, the granting of human rights, the development of democracy and the promotion of good governance practices in developing countries;
• to support economic development and the liberalisation of international trade systems; and
• to support environmentally-sustainable development.

Development of the information and communications technology sector and e-governance issues will be a horizontal field.

Besides bilateral co-operation, Estonia has become increasingly interested in trilateral co-operation projects. Such projects have already taken place in co-operation with Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, and the United Kingdom (supporting Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia).

 

The European Commission (EC) is the major channel of Estonian ODA, and Estonia is strengthening its participation in relevant EU policymaking, in particular where it possesses specific knowledge and experience.

Through voluntary contributions, Estonia has been regularly supporting the operations of several United Nations agencies since 1998, such as UN Development Program (UNDP), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and UN Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. Estonia has also supported a number of specific projects, like protecting children’s rights in the North Caucasus through UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) or the OSCE Voluntary Fund for Activities Related to the Removal and Destruction of Russian Military Equipment and Ammunition from Moldova. Estonia is a member of and donor to the International Red Cross Committee and several other internationally-active organisations committed to promoting global peace and security.

Estonia does not have a specific policy for supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the fight against HIV/AIDS. The health sector is also not a development co-operation sector in which Estonia is planning to increase its activities in the future. However, via annual voluntary contributions Estonia has been supporting the activities of UNFPA since 2002. 

Non-government organisations (NGOs) are considered to be very important partners for the public sector in influencing policy-making procedures and implementing development co-operation projects. Estonian NGOs play an important role especially in bilateral development co-operation, where 50% of projects are implemented by NGOs. The Estonian Development Co-operation Roundtable brings together NGOs interested in development issues. It is the main civil society partner for the government on issues of development co-operation.

pdf download

Marje Sotnik, Director Development Co-operation Division, External Economic and Development Co-operation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Procedures for the provision of development assistance and humanitarian aid, 2003. This document will be changed, and the new version is in force from January 2007.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Principles of Estonian Development Co-operation, 2003.

Estonian NGDO Roundtable AKÜ