The tale of Estonian National Youth Council (ENL) Tampere 2011

1. The tale of Estonian National Youth Council (ENL)Tampere 2011

2. ENL • A platform for the youth organisations in Estonia. • Founded in May 2002. • 25 founding organisations. • Today 50 member organisations (MOs).

3. MISSION The Estonian National Youth Council (ENL) is a recognised organisation protecting the interests of youth associations and enhancing all forms of cooperation between them, so that youth participation and youth initiative would be valued in the society.

4. VISION Each journey begins with a dream. We dream of strong and competent youth associations. We see many active young people who influence the society and change it for the better. We know that the decisions concerning youth are not made for them but with the contribution of young people. We want to guarantee that not a single good idea that young people have would be lost due to lack of funds, interest or skills. We want the voice of our young people to be heard far beyond Estonia. We dream that there would always be dreams.

5. Member organisations • Various member organisations, for example: • political; • students’; • hobby education; • religious; • high-school students’ • local and regional youth councils as observer members from 2010

6. The beginning • 3 attempts to establish a national youth council since 1996 • 1st attempt was top-down initiative – FAILED (lack of motivation from youth NGOs) • 2nd attempt failed because a lack of involvement of youth organisations and unclear leadership • 3rd attempt was the most promising one, but failed because youth NGOs didn’t have a clear vision and common understanding about the role of NYC

7. The beginning • In april 2001 leaders from different youth NGOs came together to agree on the common interests and objectives firstly. • No time pressure • The only objective wasn’t the establishment of NYC • The project was called “Cooperation project of Estonian youth associations” and was led by Federation of Estonian Student Unions

8. The beginning • In February 2002 in Winter camp youth NGOs formed 5 working groups which prepared the statute, organised the first general assembly of ENL, proposed a mission and vision • 19th of May 2002 25 youth organisations officially established the Estonian National Youth Council • GA set up free main objectives: advocacy, cooperation, promotion of youth initiatives

9. The beginning • The establishment of ENL was supported and encouraged by the Ministry of Education and Research • Nevertheless the Ministry itself did not take the lead in this process

11. Strategic Goals ENL participates actively in drafting youth policies both on national and local level. ENL is widely acknowledged in the society and highly appreciated by its members. ENL’s international relations are outstanding and close co-operation is ensured with the partners. ENL is professional organisation with clear vision for the future.

12. Structure General Assembly 50 members Auditing committee The board Chairman of the board International relations Youth policy Public relations Member coordinator Finances Executive director Project managers (3) Youth Policy Officer Public Relations Officer

14. Achievements Involvement in youth politics: amendments to Estonian youth work act; involvement in creating nationalyouth work strategyand its action plan; representatives in different governmental and local level decision making bodies dealing with youth issues; half of the seats in Advisory Council of Youth Policy; Youth policy platform

15. Achievements II Better financing for youth organisations restructured financial policies concerning state support; lobbying for getting more support to nationwide youth organisations from state budget; representation in commissions distributing financial support for youth NGOs.

16. Overall Activities • Trainings – Summer Schooland thematical trainings. • Youth participation - International Youth Day | 12th of august. • Recognition - Best Youth Project Award. • Continuing participation promotion (osale.enl.ee). • Researches on youth sector.

17. For the MOs Counselling on the local, national and international level. Possibilities to participate in creation of the youth policy. Councelling in finding financial support. Councelling in PR, youth policy, international communication, project management. Quality trainings. Contacts and networks on different levels. Information.

18. Projects and Activities Developing the regional and local youth councils (trainings and networking). Database of youth work on the local level. Realisation of the youth political positions stated in the platform. Compilation of a handbook about participation on the local level.

19. Projects and Activities II • Organising shadow elections in Tallinn and Tartu (a pilot project) in cooperation with Allianssi

20. Projects and Activities III Meetings with the MOs, conducting a survey among them. Compiling a handbook concerning the finances and bookkeeping. Enhancing cooperation between the political youth organisations. Compiling a handbook concerning the international relations.

21. Full member of European Youth Forum. Nordic-Baltic co-operation, long-term cooperation with Allianssi (Finland). Annual projects with the Regional Youth Council of Schleswig-Holstein (Germany). Good relations with LJP (Latvia), LiJOT (Lithuania), LAEF(Iceland), LNU (Norway), LSU (Sweden). International Relations

22. Thank you for your attention!