Promoting tolerance and equal treatment is one of the most fundamental principles in the currently prepared Estonian integration development plan “Integrating Estonia 2020”. However, only a few large-scale activities have been carried out to promote equal treatment and just a few studies have been conducted that would provide a thorough overview of the manifestations of unequal treatment. Only cases of unequal treatment based on gender have received more public attention. Estonia has also gained more knowledge of inequality in the labour market (e.g. wage gap, gender segregation among professions etc.) as well as in other areas, among others thanks to gender equality monitoring, which is carried out regularly. Indications of unequal treatment based on nationality (ethnicity) are monitored to a certain degree in the monitoring of integration in the Estonian society. However, since their focus has been rather on the presentation of data of the general social structure of Estonia, then the mechanisms of unequal treatment have been reflected only indirectly.

Three activities were carried out to achieve the goals of the project. First, research on the reception of the Equal Treatment Act was conducted among the Estonian population, in which data was collected about the awareness of the principles of equal treatment and the extent of unequal treatment. Second, an impact and sustainability study was conducted on the projects that have been funded to promote equal treatment and raise awareness in Estonia. This evaluation analysed the scope of activities that were carried out, and assessed the inclusion of different target groups and stakeholders in these projects. Third, four European Union member states – the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Finland – were analysed for good practices which promote equal treatment in the labour market. The research focused mainly on the observation of legal and policy framework. The results of the project were introduced to the target group (third-country nationals and stateless people living in Estonia) and other interested parties combined with training on equal treatment.

The results of the research and analysis are unique in many ways. First of all, in previous years no analyses on this scope have been carried out in Estonia, which combine different aspects of equal treatment: the research on the awareness of equal treatment in Estonian society, the assessment of the impacts of activities that have been carried out so far, complemented by the good practices of other countries. The results of this project offer an insight to the topics such as dismissive attitudes towards features which are seen or considered foreign, intolerance towards people speaking other languages, the overall social climate towards equal treatment and its impact on the awareness and the manifestations of unequal treatment. The population survey showed that also the lack of knowledge and carelessness could often be the incentive for perceived unequal treatment. 

The need for a more active promotion of equal treatment arises directly from the results presented. The results show a rather inadequate understanding of the principles of equal treatment in society as well as about the existence or purpose of the Equal Treatment Act. This applies both to officials, employers and media as well as to the population as a whole. At the same time and despite the lack of knowledge among the population on the subject, it is a pleasant exception that there is a relatively high interest in this topic.

The project has not yet been evaluated by the project funders.

This study is targeted at officials, analysts and researchers involved in developing and implementing policies at the national and local government levels. It is also meant for civil society organisations and other interested parties whose aim is to promote equal treatment in Estonia and combat manifestations of unequal treatment.

The project was funded by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, Ministry of Culture and the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (MISA) Budget: 92 931,80 € Staff employed: 8 workers – 1 project leader, 5 analysts, 2 assistants