I Introduction

The concept of the policy of the Republic of Estonia on children and families (hereinafter referred to as the family policy concept) sets as the general objective of the family policy ensuring the best possible quality of life and a safe living environment for children and families with children. The family policy concept defines the family policy principles and tasks and the corresponding directions of action.
The quality of life of children and families with children is directly or indirectly influenced by actions of the state aimed at development of education and employment, economy and finance, health service and social security, culture, child welfare and equality of the sexes.
On the basis of the family policy concept, the Government of the Republic, state agencies, local governments, associations of employees and employers and other non-profit associations are engaged in mutual cooperation in all the spheres of life essential for children and families with children.

II Principles of the family policy

When shaping and implementing the family policy, the state proceeds from the following principles:

1.       The state gives priority to interests, needs and welfare of the child and its family in all decisions and undertakings that affect children and families with children. The state guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all children residing in Estonia, irrespective of the child's sex, its and its parent's or foster parent's nationality, race, native language, religion, beliefs, social descent, property status, place of residence, form or family life and other circumstances.

2.       The state recognises the right of every person to decide for themselves whether and when to create a family and have children. The state's role is to alleviate social and economic obstacles that force people to give up the idea of having children or postpone having children and to support such family policy decisions that are favourable for society. The state guarantees availability of information and services related to family planning.

3.       The family is primarily responsible for ensuring the child's emotional and material welfare, raising the child and the child's versatile development. At the same time, all members of society are endowed with joint responsibility for welfare of children, which necessitates direction of resources towards supporting families with children and developing family-friendly values and attitudes in society. The state supports parents in raising their children, ensuring availability of counselling and aid that they need and shaping the living environment and order that supports raising children and their versatile development.

4.       The state recognises the equal right and obligation of both parents to raise and attend to their children and creates for both parents equal opportunities to participate in work and family life. When shaping the family policy, the state takes into account the existing versatility of forms of family life and relations inside a family.

5.       Prevention of problems is more efficient than alleviation of their consequences. The state places importance on preventive measures and equal learning opportunities during preparation for family life and raising children and supports social and economic coping of families with children.

6.       The state family policy is universal; it includes all children and families with children. The state provides additional aid measures for children with special needs and families of children with special needs in order to facilitate their coping and welfare.

7.       The child and its family receive the necessary help and support without separating the child from the family. Such separation for the purpose of providing aid can only be carried out in exceptional cases.

8.       Participating parties of the family policy are the child's parents/foster parents and the family, the state and the local government, the private and the third sector. Success of the family policy is ensured by purposeful and coordinated cooperation between the parties and branch policies.

9.       The state family policy is knowledge-based and consistent. The state supports research and monitoring of child and family-related issues and constant collection of statistical data.

10.   When making any decision, the state sees to it that such a decision does not deteriorate conditions for children and families with children.

III Tasks of the family policy

The general objective of the family policy is to ensure the best possible quality of life and a safe living environment for children and families with children.
These are the primary tasks of the family policy:

1.       improvement of quality of life of children and families with children

2.       support for combining family and work life

3.       attachment of value to raising children

IV Directions of action of the family policy

The following primary actions are required to implement the family policy tasks:

1.       1.1 Preparation for becoming a parent and a family by means of the corresponding programs and counselling services.
1.2 Enabling quality and available health and social services and services supporting raising and development of children; inclusion of parents or other persons raising children in the system of health insurance.
1.3 Creation of opportunities for all children to acquire suitable education for their age and abilities and be engaged in hobby activities; promotion and support for children's culture.
1.4 Shaping the living environment that takes into account needs of children and families with children; creation of suitable and favourable pastime and holiday opportunities for families with children.
1.5 Aiding families with children with improvement of their living conditions and, if necessary, with finding an appropriate housing solution.
1.6 Supporting families with children by means of state family benefits and tax incentives and measures developed to solve issues of work commitments of parents.
1.7 Direction of additional benefits, services and other measures towards children with special needs, including children raised in social welfare institutions, and families encountering coping difficulties.
1.8 Favouring adoption, guardianship or family care of children without parental care in preference to raising such children in social welfare institutions.

2.       Support for combining family and work life: 2.1 Enabling part-time or flexible schedule work for parents; favouring such work organisation that allows both parents to combine work and family obligations and supports equal distribution between family members of work around the house.
2.2 Ensuring the standard leave for parents (parental leave, additional vacation days, etc.) for persons raising children; allowing leave and additional vacation days at a time suitable for the family in order for them to be able to carry out their obligations towards family members that require care.
2.3 Creation of quality and favourable opportunities for families that correspond to their needs to place their children in children's day care and educational institutions (kindergarten, day care centre, playschool, extended day group in school, hobby circles, etc.) or keep them at home (enabling use of services of a maid, a nanny and the like).
2.4 Accentuation and state recognition of employers who promote the family-friendly organisational culture and work order, propagation of such best experiences.
2.5 Supporting return to the labour market of parents who have been out of work because they have been raising children-by creating in-service training and re-training opportunities in cooperation with employers and trade unions.

3.       Attachment of value to raising children:
3.1 Perception in society of problems of children and families with children; broadening knowledge of all society members about issues related to children and families with children.
3.2 Payment of child care allowance depending on the number of children and their age and taking into account raising children when determining the pension size.
3.3 Favouring and supporting cooperation and solidarity of family members, generations, society members in the process of raising children.
3.4 Supporting and providing media recognition for programs dealing with family life, raising children and family traditions.

V Implementation and coordination of the family policy

For the purpose of implementation of the tasks stipulated in the family policy concept, the Government of the Republic will once every two years approve a state plan of action developed by the ministries in cooperation with county governments and local governments, with involvement of associations of families, employees and employers and other non-profit associations.
Development, implementation and assessment of results of the state plan of action for the family policy are coordinated by the Bureau of the Minister of Population Affairs. The governmental commission of experts created for the purpose of reviewing appraisals, needs, plans of action and legislation in the sphere of policies on population issues and developing conceptual positions provides advice for the Minister of Population Affairs.

More information: http://www.rahvastikuminister.ee/en/home/programs/family.html