Introduction

Estonia has been a host country for many EU and TCN immigrants since 2015. Their adaptation to life in Estonia is a challenge for the government, along with the integration of non-Estonian permanent residents (a political and policy challenge that has existed since the independence of Estonia in 1991). 

Estonia implemented the adaptation and integration measure of the European Social Fund in 2014–2020 via the third Estonian integration programme, “Integrating Estonia 2020”. Its aim was to create the conditions and opportunities for the adaptation and integration of migrants and less integrated permanent residents.

This final evaluation examines the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the relevant measures of the integration programme, and is a condition of the European Union (EU) structural and investment funds. It will also help to inform adaptation and integration policies in Estonia in the near future. The evaluation was carried out by the Institute of Baltic Studies in cooperation with the University of Tartu Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS)

Results

The results show that the measure has been implemented with considerable success in developing the conditions and opportunities for adaptation and integration in Estonian society. Policy recommendations were written as a result of the final evaluation.

The adaptation measure

The activities of the adaptation measure have mostly been relevant: newly arrived immigrants considered the activities necessary and appropriate for supporting their adaptation to life in Estonia. The (resource) efficiency of activities varies from activity to activity: from the point of view of sustainability, most activities need additional resources to ensure that new immigrants can use the opportunities created in the future. The impact of the activities was found to be relatively narrow considering the total number of people in the target group.

The activities of the adaptation measure have been mostly relevant. Migrants surveyed said they received valuable services that helped them to adapt in Estonia. The efficiency varies across activities. Most activities need extra resources to be self-sufficient in the future. The impact of the activities is relatively narrow (considering the small size of the target group provided with activities compared to the total population of immigrants in Estonia).

The integration measure

The activities of the integration measure have also been relevant: both less integrated permanent residents and new immigrants considered them necessary and important. Performance is good and planned target levels are mostly (over)met. The efficiency was sufficient to achieve the planned target levels, while also considering the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. Sustainability is the biggest test in the integration programme and cooperation and communication activities.

The activities of the integration measure were relevant. Less integrated permanent residents and immigrants considered them necessary. The performance of integration measures was sufficient. The planned target indicators were achieved. The efficiency was sufficient to achieve the planned target levels. Sustainability was found to be the biggest issue, especially in communication and cooperation activities.