The culture societies have received public baseline funding since 1991. Initially, up until 2008, this funding was directly allocated to the societies, and thereafter starting from 2009 the aid has been allocated through evaluated umbrella organisations.

As of 2011, there were 20 evaluated umbrella organisations, which unite around 236 evaluated national culture societies. The evaluation is conducted by the Ministry of Culture.

Baseline funding is the financing provided for the purpose of preservation and development of the culture of national minorities, which includes supporting the implementation of the goals of the umbrella organisations of national minorities, the day-to-day activity of the umbrella organisations and the national culture societies gathered under them ensuring the preservation of the cultures of national minorities in our society.

The idea of baseline funding is to find cooperation partners for the state from the members of different nationalities that are united under their respective umbrella organisations. The aim of these cooperation partners is to introduce the uniqueness of cultures, support the activity of national culture societies in preserving, promoting and introducing their cultural heritage, become aware that Estonia is multicultural and show Estonian society this multiculturalism, and develop collaboration between each other and with the Estonian culture societies.

Base-line financing can only be applied for by umbrella organisations and their member associations that were attested by the Ministry of Culture. Umbrella organisations or their members who receive funding directly from the state budget cannot apply for base-line financing.

 

 

Further information:

Kristina Pirgop

Coordinator, Culture and Youth Work Unit

Telephone 659 9024