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A Russian language overview of Estonia's activities in supporting its kindred nations was prepared for and distributed at the 5th World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Hanty-Mansijsk (2008). The language-related positions of the Ministry of Education and Research were reflected in the final acts of the congress.
The Kindred Nations Programme III (for the years 2010–2014) was prepared and approved at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.
The provision of funding in the field of language takes place through long-term national and other programmes, which in Estonia’s case are usually based on the Estonian Language Development Strategy for 2004–2010 as well as through activities outside the programmes. The national programmes that receive funding include the following:
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The Preparation and Publication of Estonian Language Textbooks for Institutions of Higher Education (2008–2012); 2008 – 2.75 million EEK; -
Supporting Estonian Terminology (2008–2012); 2008 – 2.75 million EEK;
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Academic Programme for Teaching Estonian Language and Culture Abroad (2005–2010); 2008 – 5.439 million EEK;
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Kindred Nations Programme (2005–2009); 2008 – 5.0 million EEK;
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Compatriots Programme (2004–2008)/2009–2013 (within the programme being carried out in cooperation with other ministries and the Office of the Minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Research is funding activities related to education and archiving); 2008 – 9.49 million EEK;
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ESF programme Development of Language Study 2007–2010; 2008 – 19.1 million EEK.
The framework principles of the functioning and development of the field of language are provided in the Constitution, the Language Act and the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act; the regulations of the Minister of Education and Research regarding the national curriculum, the Estonian Literary Standard, and the obligatory Estonian language proficiency levels.
All acts and regulations governing the field of language can be reviewed through the electronic version of the State Gazette, and an overview is also available on the website of the Ministry of Education and Research (www.hm.ee).
