Priority axis 2 “Increasing social inclusion”
Measure 2.6 “Creating opportunities for less integrated permanent residents living in the Estonian society for increasing active participation and social activity as well as for supporting the adaptation and integration of new arrivals” (integration activities).
About integration
Integration and the European Union
About the integration measure and its implementation
Objective
One of the key objectives of the implementation of this measure is to create opportunities for less integrated permanent residents to participate in the Estonian society, including employment, life-long learning, and civil society.
This includes:
- providing relevant and updated information in practical matters;
- enabling the improvement of Estonian language proficiency;
- ensuring opportunities for acquiring competence to cope and actively participate in the society, including the labour market, life-long learning, and civil society;
- creating a background of values that support social activeness.
Target groups
- Less integrated residents of Estonia – Less integrated citizens at birth and persons who have stayed in the Republic of Estonia on legal grounds over five years, who have acquired Estonian citizenship or are undefined or have citizenship of another country. The majority of those non-Estonian permanent residents live in Tallinn (43%), followed by Virumaa (35%). The smallest number of non-Estonians reside in South-Estonia (3%).
- Wider public.
The implementation of the measure is based on sectoral development plan titled “Integrating Estonia 2020” and its implementation plan.
Activities supported
- Providing information – contributes to faster adaptation of less integrated permanent residents to the Estonian society and keeps them updated with regard to the labour market. This includes, for example, the establishment of a common web environment concerning integration; the compilation of questions-answers into a common forum; consultation; the preparation and distribution of learning and information materials. The established information and consultation centres provide less integrated permanent residents with information related to studying and working in Estonia, services concerning social welfare, etc.
- Providing language courses – helps less integrated permanent residents to better cope in daily life and ensures that they have better conditions for participating in or entering the labour market. Various language courses are offered within this framework – both for passing the citizenship test and for additional language courses on the levels of A2, B1, and B2. In addition, it is possible to participate in language immersion training sessions in order to practise Estonian in language immersion clubs and get acquainted with the cultural life of Estonia through the so-called culture clubs.
- Supporting the emergence of social competencies – in addition to language courses, the provision of integration training and the development of support networks are also supported. Integration training help less integrated permanent residents to prepare for the citizenship test. The integration programme is carried out by MISA.
- Shaping attitudes – support is provided for those media and outreach activities, which increase tolerance in Estonian society. Attitudes are also shaped by means of cooperation activities, which take place at the level of ministries, local governments, and civil society. This helps to increase the awareness of people residing in Estonia about various cultures, traditions, and values, which in turn improves attitudes towards other ethnic groups.
Aleksander Aidarov
Adviser of Cultural Diversity Department
Phone 628 2226
aleksander.aidarov@kul.ee