The EMN Estonian Contact Point’s local network is comprised of stakeholders in the field of migration and asylum in Estonia.

• Ministry of Culture

  The Ministry of Culture, together with its agencies, works to preserve the Estonian national identity and to ensure and develop a viable cultural space. The Ministry of Culture is coordinating the implementation of the integration plan and drafting the relevant legislation.

• Tallinn City Government

  The Tallinn City Government is the governing body of the Tallinn local government and the agencies administered by them. Organizes local life issues related to the field of migration and citizenship of the city of Tallinn.

• Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences (Mainor)

  Estonia's largest private higher education institution, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences, with approximately 1600 students, specializes in business and design-related specialties.

• Enterprise Estonia (EAS)

  Enterprise Estonia (EAS) is a national foundation that aims to develop Estonian economy through three principal areas of activity:

  • Developing Estonian enterprises and boosting exporteas capacity
  • Increasing tourism revenue
  • Bringing high value-added foreign investments to Estonia.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with the foreign policy of the Republic of Estonia. The Ministry’s tasks in the area of migration and asylum are:

  • resolving issues related to international agreements and the foreign economy;
  • organizing the relations of the Republic of Estonia with foreign countries and international organizations;
  • organizing international development and humanitarian aid.

• International House Tartu

  International House Tartu provides information and advice to people who move to Tartu from other countries and to people who work with people from other countries. Tartu International House offers information and competence, but also acts as a community center,  where people from other countries can acquire information and advice, create new contacts, discover Tartu and South Estonia or learn Estonian in a friendly environment. International House Tartu also offers training for practitioners working with newly-arrived migrants.

• Social Insurance Board

  The Social Insurance Board is a state agency operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs, the task of which is to organize the provision of state social benefits and services. Among other things, grants and services in the field of international protection and human trafficking are coordinated.

• Work in Estonia

  The Work in Estonia team aims to make Estonia an attractive destination for living and working, and to ensure that hiring and providing work for foreign talents is as simple as possible for Estonian companies.

• The Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS)

  The Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS) is an independent, non-profit policy research and development think tank in Estonia that aims at assisting the development of public policy in the Baltic Sea region by providing high-quality socio-economic analysis. Founded in 1996, IBS aims with its activities at contributing to the increase of knowledge and understanding of the development challenges and opportunities facing Estonia in particular and Baltic Sea region in general. IBS main areas of expertise fall into three broad domains:

  • science, technology and innovation policy, industrial economics and regional development;
  • social cohesion policies in the areas of labour, migration and development, immigrant integration and fundamental rights;
  • policy analysis, policy and Programme evaluation and impact assessment studies related to the above.

• Estonian Human Rights Centre

  Estonian Human Rights Centre is an independent non-governmental human rights advocacy organisation. EHRC was founded in December 2009. The mission of EHRC is to work together for Estonia that respects the human rights of each person. By 2020, Estonian Human Rights Centre is the influential and competent leader of Estonian non-governmental human rights movement. EHRC develops its activities according to the needs of the society. Their focus is currently on the advancement of equal treatment of minority groups and diversity & inclusion and the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees. EHRC coordinates the Estonian Diversity Charter   and monitors the overall human rights situation in Estonia and publish bi-annual independent human rights reports about the situation in Estonia.

• The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI)

  The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is the oldest and largest Estonian representative organization of entrepreneurs and was founded to represent and protect common interests of Estonian merchants, manufacturers, bankers and ship-owners in the year 1925. Today, the ECCI with over 3,200 members is the largest business representation organization in the country.

• Association of Estonian Citys and Municipalities

  The Association of Estonian Cities (AEC) is a voluntary union established for representing the common interests and arranging co-operation of cities and rural municipalities. Ensuring development of local governments through joint activities is the main goal of the AEC. The AEC was established on 19 September 1920.

• Estonian Refugee Council

  Estonian Refugee Council is a renowned and independent competence center on forced migration and integration, and provider of direct support to refugees in as well as outside of Estonia. Estonian Refugee Council provides to refugees different services that support their integration in the Estonian society and that enhance their self-reliance.

  • Support person service - the main methods of support person service are counselling, explaining and providing information to refugees. Also, support persons may accompany refugees in meetings with authorities, help them with finding employment and support them with reunifying with their family members.
  • Translation service to beneficiaries of international protection living in Estonia. This service is covered from state budget for the first two years of their arrival.
  •  Group activities for refugees. One example of that is women's club which supports refugee women's self-reliance and independence.
  •  Providing help for refugees in reunifying with their families by providing counselling and fund raising, if necessary.
  • Raising awareness on forced migration and refugees.
  • Humanitarian help abroad

• Estonian Red Gross

  Estonian Red Gross is a health organization, founded in 1919. It is the Estonian branch organization of the International Red Gross organization.

  • • Independent observation of forced returns of third-country nationals
    • training history and  social science teachers in the field of international humanitarian law
    • Emergency Plan for Mass Immigration (EPR Volunteers Involved in Emergency Plans).

• Estonian Business School

  Founded in 1988, EBS is the oldest privately owned business university in the Baltics. With more than 1500 students, EBS’s goal is to provide enterprising people with academic knowledge, skills and values for its successful implementation. EBS offers degrees at Bachelor’s, Master’s as well as Doctoral levels.

  • international mobility of highly skilled people
  • cooperation between the public and private sectors in shaping migration policy in the European Union and the US (including investor visas and start-up visas)
  • engaged in integration and forced migration (internationally - legal aid and procedural process)
  • in depth Research on the role of highly skilled migrants in Silicone Valley, including impact on local communities, entrepreneurship and regional development

• Ministry of Education and Research

  The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for the planning of education, research, youth and language related national policies and, in conjunction thereof, managing the fields of pre-primary, basic, general upper secondary, vocational secondary, higher, hobby and adult education, organising research and development activities, youth work and special youth work, and compiling drafts of corresponding legal acts. The main tasks of the Ministry of Education and Research are:

  • development of national development plans;
  • creating a system of legal acts;
  • development of national curricula and other standards;
  • development of the state supervision and quality assurance system;
  • planning and organisation of financing and usage of state assets;
  • planning of state commissioned education;
  • development of the teachers’ and youth workers’ training system;
  • informing the public about progress in education, research, youth and language policies;
  • international cooperation.

  The Ministry of Education and Research also legalizes education certificates.

• Estonian Institute of Human Rights (EIHR)

  The Estonian Institute of Human Rights (EIHR) is the first and oldest independent organisation in Estonia that has been systematically dealing with the protection of human rights. The Institute was established on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1992. The initiator and first patron of the Institute was President Lennart Meri. The goal of the Institute of Human Rights is to collect, systematise, analyse and promote information about human rights, to increase public awareness about the field and to make proposals about how to better protect human rights in Estonia and elsewhere in the world. For achieving this, the Institute cooperates with NGOs, universities and governmental institutions, as well as organises training courses and conferences, publishes articles and reports and participates in international networks. Main areas:

  • education
  • research
  • international cooperation
  • human rights related events.

• Integration Foundation (INSA)

  The Foundation was established by the Republic of Estonia, whose founders’ rights are exercised by the Ministry of Culture.

  • free estonian language courses from level A1 to C1 (120 academic hours per level). It is also possible to learn A1 level estonian language in the framework of welcoming programme

  • non formal ways of learning language through languages cafe`s and through estonian language and culture clubs.

• NGO Johannes Mihkelson Centre

  NGO Johannes Mihkelson Centre has developed a mentoring system, a training and councelling plan for different target groups – unemployed people (16-64 years old), people with addiction problems, refugees , NEET youngsters and ex-prisoners, to help them meet their needs. Their aim is to provide more opportunities for marginalized segments of the society by giving people the opportunity to learn new skills, develop key competences and acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for progression into employment, further training, or continued education.

• The Ministry of Justice

  The main duty of the Ministry of Justice is to plan and to carry out a legal and criminal policy of the state, which will help ensure an open and secure society, where people may be assured of the use and protection of their rights.

   

• Living for Tomorrow MTÜ

  NGO Living for Tomorrow (reg. 80107048) was founded on August 17, 1999. The organisation was created by people looking for ways to transform Sexual Health Education and Human Trafficking prevention: engage gender-sensitive active learning, make it inclusive, acceptable, interesting and comprehensible. Objectives:

  • To acknowledge and communicate the existence of gender issues, associations and attitudes in social, cultural and health terms;
  • To prevent HIV/AIDS and other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections);
  • To prevent human trafficking and provide victim assistance;
  • To facilitate understanding between different ethnic groups and assist their integration into Estonian society.

  Activities include:

  • Interactive sexual health education workshops for youth and adults;
  • HIV/AIDS, STIs and drug abuse prevention;
  • Human trafficking prevention among vulnerable population groups;
  • Youth initiatives support and counselling;
  • Conducting researches and carrying out pilot projects.

• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

  The main strategic objectives of the Ministry involve governance that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, an efficient and safe transport system, constantly developing information society and environmentally friendly energy supply at a justified price.

  • develops Estonian business environment, including through qualified labor and business migration
  • implements and monitors the “Work in Estonia - Action Plan for Involving Foreign Professionals in Estonia
  • annual reports of the needs and supply of the labor market, which is an important input in shaping migration policy

• NGO Mondo

  NGO Mondo is an independent Estonian non-profit organisation devoted to development cooperation, global education and humanitarian aid. Outside of Estonia, NGO Mondo mainly operates on projects of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. In Estonia, the main areas of work include global education, responsible consumerism and promotion.

• Praxis / think thank

  Experienced and recognised socio-economic research centre in Estonia.

  Independent, non-profit, civil initiative think tank. Organization enriches public debate, creates valuable knowledge and effective solutions for policymakers, the third sector and other interested people.  

  • evidence-based analyses
  • creating visions of the future
  • regularly monitor the implementation of various policies
  • orientation to practical solutions and the most measurable results possible

• Nordic Council of Ministers` Office in Estonia

  The Nordic countries with a combined population of 26 million people make a strong region full of fascinating culture, mystical nature and diverse range of industries. The Nordic countries rank high in global surveys of competitiveness, quality of life and equality. The five countries have together developed into welfare societies positioned among the leading economies in the world.

  • Countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland + autonomous territories Åland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
  • The Nordic Council was formed in 1952 and is the official inter-parliamentary body for cooperation in the Nordic Region.
  • The Nordic Council of Ministers was formed in 1971 and is the official inter-governmental body for cooperation in the Nordic Region.
  • The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia was opened in spring 1991.
  • The secretariat is situated in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • The Nordic Council of Ministers has several offices and institutions in the Nordic countries but also offices in the Baltic States.
  • Official website of Nordic cooperation: www.norden.org.
  • Find out more: history, languages, maps, policies, statistics, etc. of the Nordic region.

• International Center for Defence and Security

  ICDS is the leading think-tank in Estonia specialising in foreign policy, security and defence issues. We aim to be the regional knowledge hub of first choice for the security and defence communities of Estonia, its allies and partners. ICDS’ mission is to:

  • Strengthen Estonia’s security and defence sector by identifying and analysing national security and defence challenges and proposing policy solutions;

  • Sharpen strategic thinking in NATO and the EU on security issues that affect the Nordic-Baltic region by offering timely and high-quality analysis and policy recommendations;

  • Contribute to enhancing Estonia’s intellectual role within NATO and the EU by developing forward-looking and innovative policy ideas and strategic solutions for the common European and transatlantic security and defence agenda;

  • Raise public awareness and stimulate public debate on security, defence and foreign policy matters.

• IOM International organization for Migration (Office in Estonia)

  Established in 1951, International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 132 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement. As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:

  • assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management
  • advance understanding of migration issues
  • encourage social and economic development through migration
  • uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants

  The challenge of IOM is to find a humane, orderly, equitable arrangement that:

  • acknowledges national sovereignty on population movements and a State’s expectation that migrants will respect host country culture and laws
  • and simultaneously acknowledges people’s age-old desire to migrate to improve their lives and their expectation that their rights will be respected

  Estonia has been IOM observer state since 1998 and IOM Mission in Estonia was opened in 2004. Throughout years, the Office in Estonia has been focusing on Counter-trafficking campaigns, integration initiatives, capacity building and trainings and provided assistance to migrants. Major activity areas of the IOM Mission in Estonia relate in particular to:

  • assisted voluntary return and reintegration
  • cultural orientation for asylum seekers and refugees
  • technical cooperation and capacity building of Estonian officials
  • public awareness raising

• Government Office

  The Government Office is a government institution established at the Government of the Republic and its function is to support the Government of the Republic and the Prime Minister in planning and implementing policy and ensuring good governance.

• Police and Border Guard Board

  The main tasks of Police and Border Guard Board are the securing of the external border of the European Union; the determination of citizenship and issue of documents; security and public order in the state; and the investigation and prevention of offences.

• Parliament of Estonia

  The Riigikogu is the parliament of Estonia. Its 101 members are elected at general elections for a term of four years. The Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions, exercises parliamentary supervision and ratifies international agreements.

• National Audit Office of Estonia

  The National Audit Office is an independent institution acting in the interests of and hired by the Estonian taxpayer whose function is to investigate how the state and local authorities have spent the taxpayer’s money and what they have given them for it.  

  • carries out migration audits and reviews to assess whether public funds have been used effectively and lawfully.

• The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences

  The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences is a state institution, providing professional education for civil servants belonging in the area of government under the Estonian Ministry of the Interior. The Academy was established in 1992 after Estonia regained its independence.   The Academy prepares civil servants in four Colleges under the following specialities: • police and border guard • rescue • correction • taxation and customs.

  EASS as learning, research and development centre

  The Academy of the Security Sciences has created excellent opportunities for successful academic work, conducting applied research, professional self-development and cooperation with organizations for its lecturers and students in Estonia and in foreign countries. The EASS publishes research papers and other internal security and public service-related educational resources. Academy offers training courses to civil servants organized by the Centre for Continuing Education.  

• Ministry of the Interior

  • Ensuring public order and internal security.
  • Regulating crisis management and rescue works.
  • Guarding and protecting the state border and assuring the border regime.
  • Coordinating citizenship and migration issues.
  • Coordinating issues concerning population and vital statistics.
  • Supporting the development of civil society, as well as volunteerism and religious associations.

• Ministry of Social Affairs

   

  • Compiles solution plans for the state's social issues and manages their implementation.
  • Designs and implements the policy in the field of social security, ensures timely and targeted granting and payment of social insurance benefits.
  • Manages social insurance and welfare services.
  • Develops and implements the working life and labour market policy, in order to ensure prevailing of people with long-term working capacity and employment.
  • Organises the protection of public health, as well as medical care.
  • Promotes the equal treatment of women's and men's equality, in order to incorporate different social groups into the life of the society.
  • Deals with social welfare and social security issues of disabled people.
  • Coordinates the formulation of policies on children's rights and child protection, and organises international adoptions.
  • Shapes the family policy, which sets a priority of collocation of working life and private life, as well as parental education.

• TalTech Law School – TLS

  Department of law (with the brand name TalTech Law School - TLS) contributes to the fulfillment of the mission of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) by providing high-level research and studies. This allows TalTech to offer contemporary higher education and knowledge services in the area of law, including the rapidly developing technology law and European law. TLS is also providing studies in international relations.

  • teaches the EU law on migration and asylum, human rights and carries out various research and practical projects in the field of migration

   

• Tallinn University

  Tallinn University is the largest university of humanities in Tallinn and the third biggest public university in Estonia. Tallinn University has more than 7,500 students (with 9.5% of them international), and over 800 employees, including nearly 400 researchers and lecturers.

  • carries out teaching, research and development in the areas of migration and integration

• University of Tartu

  UT is Estonia's leading centre of research and training. It preserves the culture of the Estonian people and spearheads the country's reputation in research and provision of higher education. UT belongs to the top 1.2% of world's best universities.

  • Conducting study and research on migration

• The UN Refugee Agency

  The main roles of UNHCR’s Regional Representation for Northern Europe are to:

  • support governments in their implementation of European and international legal instruments related to asylum and statelessness,
  • monitor that asylum-seekers have access to countries in the region and are able to apply for protection,
  • support the national asylum authorities to develop fair, efficient, and high quality asylum procedures,
  • advise governments, partners, and stakeholders on ways in which refugees can be helped to integrate into countries in the region,
  • advocate for governments to find a solution to the situation of stateless persons within their borders,
  • ensure that all persons of concern to UNHCR enjoy access to rights, by taking into account age, gender, and diversity, and for governments, partners, and stakeholders in the region to encourage and facilitate the active participation of persons of concern,
  • raise awareness of the plight of the millions of refugees around the world and to place refugee and asylum issues on the agenda,
  • mobilize financial and other support for the work of UNHCR worldwide.

• Education and Youth Board (Harno)

  The Education and Youth Board (Harno) is a government agency of the Ministry of Education and Research that deals with the implementation of Estonian education and youth policy. The joint institution was established on the basis of the services of Foundation Innove, Foundation Archimedes, Information Technology Foundation for Education and Estonian Youth Work Center. Harno was set up on August 1, 2020. Services under the former Archimedes Foundation are now offered under the joint institution of Education and Youth Board (Harno) including tasks to coordinate and implement different international and national programmes and projects in the field of training, education and research. It is the implementing body of Erasmus+ Programme, EEA/Norway Grants Scholarship programme, Nordplus Programme and administers several national and international scholarship schemes for improving mobility and marketing Estonian higher education abroad.

  • Student migration