The overall goal of the final assessment is to measure the success of the cultural policy implemented from 2014–2020 on the basis of the “General Principles of Cultural Policy” until 2020, approved by the Riigikogu in 2014. The extent to which the goals specified in the general principles have been achieved, both as a whole and in its 13 areas of activity, is analysed for this purpose.

The analysis reveals that the Estonian cultural landscape is diverse, the state has supported participation in cultural life through support programmes as well as by ensuring funding for important organisations. The number of people who consume and participate in culture has grown over the years. Cultural policy was relatively successfully implemented from 2014–2020 when the priorities set in the General Principles of Cultural Policy until 2020 are considered.

The biggest challenge for the Estonian cultural policy in the next implementation period in terms of similar policies will be to guarantee sustainable funding at the level of financing leisure activities, culture and religion, which is already high in comparison with other European Union Member States. During the next cultural policy implementation period, the state and local governments will also have to pay attention to the following main challenges:

• increasing the regional accessibility of participation in cultural life,
• linking areas of culture more directly with general education curricula and supporting hobby education better,
• further systematic support of the participation of children and young people in culture,
• respectable remuneration and provision of social guarantees to creative people and people working in the area of culture,
• improving the efficiency of the cooperation between ministries with the contributions of other parties in order to achieve the cultural policy objectives.