National Youth Council Asks for Changes in Funding Scheme

The general body meeting of the Estonian National Youth Council submitted a request to the Minister of Education and Research, asking for an overhaul of the funding scheme for youth organizations, restoration of funding for political youth organizations and government funding for participatory youth organizations. 

The general body meeting noted that state funding for youth organizations has not increased since 2006, remaining till this day at roughly €500,000 per year. The Council  found that due to inflation, funding needs to be increased.

The council also found that umbrella organizations, which have proven to be effective discussion partners for the state deserve their own funding scheme from the state budget and be subject to separate negotiations.

Political youth organizations should have their founding restored, the general body meeting also resolved. Funding for political organizations was eliminated last year by then minister Tõnis Lukas, but the council found the situation unfair and proposed to restore funding in their request to Minister Jaak Aaviksoo. Currently only the coalition parties support their own youth branches, creating inequality in the system.

The Youth Council also elected Martin Kirs (Young Social Democrats) and Liina Siniveer (Estonian Guides Association) to its executive board

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