The first analysis of the focus groups and online survey about the role of Estonian CSOs in development cooperation has been completed. The results have given a solid overview of the organisations and indicated the main challenges faced by the organisations. About a third of Estonian CSOs implement projects in developing countries and a little more than a half of them also send experts or consultants to developing countries. Geographically, the EU Eastern Partnership countries are the most favoured partners for Estonian CSOs. Thematically, the majority of development cooperation projects have focused on strengthening the civil society in partner countries, promoting democratic practices (including the use of information and communication technologies for good governance) and respect for human rights. Generally, the CSOs are quite aware of the development cooperation issues, but engagement in direct lobbying and advocacy on policy issues is not so common among the Estonian CSOs. The main challenges the organisations have are related to accessibility of funding and its excessive bureaucracy. Concrete recommendations for policy changes for the European and domestic policy makers as well as the CSOs themselves will be presented in the final policy brief.

The last focus group in Estonia meets on 28 February to discuss the briefs and the analysis.