Activities targeting children and youth under different initiatives and measures
Working with youth was highlighted in the Action Programme of the Government of Estonia for the period 2011-2015 as one of the priorities of cultural policy.
There were and are several initiatives that are empowering young people and promoting their participation in cultural activities. For example, Estonia has a tradition of Youth Song and Dance Festival taking place every fifth year. The last festival took place in 2011 as this was the year when Tallinn was European Cultural Capital. Total of 251 choirs participated. The next Youth Song and Dance Festival will take place in Tallinn from 30th of June till 2nd of July in 2017 (http://2017.laulupidu.ee/en/).
As mentioned earlier in this report in the chapter "Policies and Measures" under the section of "Cultural Policies", Estonia launches thematic years. The year 2017 will be dedicated to children and youth with a programme of variety of events. For example, the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre plans a literature project that includes a literature van travelling through different regions of Estonia in 2017. Programme includes introduction of newest children books, workshops, performances etc.
There is a contemporary art triennial for school students Eksperimenta! (http://www.eksperimenta.net/).
Under the initiative called "Architecture School" architects organize different workshops for school children of age 7-18 (http://www.arhitektuurikool.ee/).
Project for schools in the field of heritage protection include activities for children and youth of age 7-19 with the aim to raise their awareness in local heritage. The project was developed on the basis of a Norwegian project „Improve a heritage site” which also got a Europa Nostra award in 2012. In 2015, altogether 16 schools and 662 school students participated in the project managing to work on 26 heritage sites all over Estonia (http://ouesope.ee/parandivaderid/).
In the second half of 2015 Estonian Ministry of Culture started to elaborate the concept of the relief system for youth recreational activity.
The main features of different initiatives are described under the section b. "Key objectives of the measures". For more information, please visit the websites also indicated in this section.
In addition, Estonia is also implementing the EU Education, Youth and Sports Programme Erasmus+ during the period 2014-2020. One of the aims is to facilitate international language learning and raise intercultural awareness.
In cooperation with partners and stakeholder organisations Estonian Ministry of Culture has specified the terms of reference of the concept of the relief system for youth recreational activity. The schedule for developing the concept and the circle of those involved was prepared, greater bottlenecks requiring intervention were ascertained, the purpose of implementing additional support by the state was specified and possible support mechanisms were developed. In February 2016 the concept was presented to the cabinet meeting together with a memorandum, which contained a short summary of the terms of reference, more important circumstances and justifications and proposals to the cabinet for decisions.
To empower children and young people to participate in cultural activities as creators or participants in order to ensure the sustainability and diversity of Estonian culture.
Certain amount of money is allocated in the yearly budget of Estonian Ministry of Culture or other responsible ministries according to the scope of the activities or initiatives.