Assessment of Training Needs for Local Government Officials and Employees

Objective

The aim of the study was to enhance the methodology for assessing the training needs of local government officials and employees, and to conduct an analysis of training needs, including proposals for addressing issues in the development of local government personnel over the next 5-10 years.

Results

2015. In 2015, a pilot study was conducted to map the competencies of local government officials and employees and assess training needs, during which a competency model was developed. The updated and enhanced competency model developed as part of this study consists of three competency groups: general competencies, general competencies in local government management, and sector-specific professional competencies.

The increasing flexibility in working hours and the use of telecommuting necessitate the development of ICT skills, while also increasing the need to enhance employees’ communication and collaboration skills.
The projected training budget for local government authority institutions collectively until 2030 is 24 million euros. This constitutes approximately 1.7% of the total local government employee salary fund.

There is a need for a central training coordination system to be established for the development of local government employees, aiming to coordinate training activities in key priority areas within local governments.

The methods used in the study: surveys, interviews, focus groups, document analysis, and expert panels.

Project ordering institutions: Ministry of Finance and Riigi Tugiteenuste Keskus
Project implementers: LevelLab (lead partner), Baltic Research Institute, and Geomedia
Duration: 09/2020 ‍– 04/2021

View the final report

Analysis of the impact and effectiveness of the Youth Guarantee support system implementation

Background

2018. In 2018, there were 12,400 young people aged 15-24 and 13,200 young people aged 25-29 in Estonia who were not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), accounting for 11.7% of the 15-29 age group. In 2017, the Ministry of Social Affairs introduced the Youth Guarantee Support System (hereinafter NGTS), aimed at identifying young people who are not studying or working (NEETs) and providing them with targeted support from local governments, primarily to continue their education and/or enter the workforce.

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the relevance, impact, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the NGTS implementation.

Results

It was found that overall, the NGTS is effective, and its implementation along with support measures has significantly helped young people to better transition into employment and/or education. The study confirmed that active labor market measures, networking, personalized counseling, and prevention play a significant role in supporting continued education and entry into the labor market. Therefore, considering the low awareness among young people, NGTS, along with other services, directly supports the alleviation of the situation of NEET youth in Estonia.

Methodology

Personal interviews and focus group interviews, document analysis, and quantitative data analysis were conducted.

Project contracting authority: Ministry of Social Affairs
Project implementers: LevelLab and Baltic Institute of Research
Duration: 04/2020 ‍– 12/2020

View the final report

Interim Evaluation of the Priority Area “Administrative Capacity”

Objective

The objective of the interim evaluation was to assess the achievement of the first two objectives of the administrative capacity priority area, as well as the implementation and effectiveness of the activities funded to achieve these objectives, while also considering other activities with similar goals.

Methodology

The evaluation applied an innovative evaluation model in which the activities under the administrative capacity priority area were grouped into three areas: development capacity of the government sector, leadership capacity of the government sector, and the quality of policymaking.
The evaluation model takes into account the key prerequisites of good governance, which emerge through the interaction of these three main components.

Main results

  • Measures implemented to strengthen the development capacity of the government sector have produced the expected results and remain relevant. However, a certain fragmentation and duplication in strategic planning has been identified as a problem, limiting the potential synergy between different measures.
  • Leadership capacity within the government sector has improved as a result of the supported activities, and implementation is progressing according to plan.
  • The quality of policymaking has also improved due to the supported activities: cooperation capacity has increased, inter-institutional collaboration has strengthened, and the substantive quality of impact assessments has improved.

Challenges

Currently, there is no long-term national development plan for strengthening administrative capacity, which means that the continuous development of administrative capacity is not guaranteed. It is recommended to develop a long-term, cross-sectoral development plan within the framework of the Estonia 2035 strategy to support the development of administrative capacity for both the central government and local governments.

Evaluation Methods: The evaluation included an analysis of financial, output, and outcome indicators of the measures and their activities. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted. In addition, information was collected and analyzed through document analysis.

Project clients: Government Office of Estonia and the Ministry of Finance
Project implementers: LevelLab (lead partner), Institute of Baltic Studies, and Technopolis Group Estonia
Study duration: 03/2019 – 12/2019

Interim Evaluation of the Implementation Plan for EU Cohesion Policy Funds

Objective

The purpose of the interim evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the implementation plan and the activities carried out within it. The evaluation covered all 14 priority areas of the implementation plan.

Results

The interim evaluation concluded that the sectoral objectives and activities of the implementation plan remain relevant today, and there is no need for significant changes to achieve the objectives of the implementation plan.

As of December 31, 2018, 32% of the €4.6 billion from the EU Cohesion Policy implementation plan for 2014–2020 has been disbursed, totaling €1.5 billion. The support received from the EU Structural and Investment Funds has clearly contributed to achieving the objectives of all priority areas: the funding has a direct impact on increasing employment, improving public health, developing the living environment, and achieving other objectives. The impact of Structural Funds is long-term and manifests in changes at various levels. The operational program has had a significant impact on achieving Estonia’s key strategic objectives.

Challenges and Recommendations

Regional development balance remains a significant challenge. Overall, regional disparities remain significant, and there has been no noticeable shift towards more balanced territorial development. Close to 50% of EU funds have been invested in Harju and Tartu counties, leading to a widening of regional disparities. EU funds should be directed towards preventing problems and developing comprehensive solutions in regions, with an increased focus on the role, awareness, and competence of local governments in regional investments.

Additional funds from the performance reserve should be directed towards preventive measures and value-added activities such as research and development, innovation in entrepreneurship, education, and regional development.

Research methodology: focus group interviews, individual interviews, workshops, document analysis (documentation of projects, measures, and implementation plans), and quantitative analysis (financial, output, and outcome indicators of measures).

Project contracting authority: Ministry of Finance
Project implementers: Technopolis Group Estonia (lead partner), Ernst & Young Baltic, Praxis, Baltic Institute of Research and LevelLab
Duration: 11/2018 ‍– 04/2019

View the final report

Business Analysis of AS GoTravel

Background

AS GoTravel is an Estonian-owned travel agency that has been operating since 1992. The agency has offices in six Estonian cities: Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Viljandi, Rakvere, and Jõgeva. The company serves both private and business clients and offers both domestic and international tourism services.
The company’s information system has been developed based on operational needs and investment capacity. The greatest focus has been placed on developing the public web environment as the main sales channel for package tours.

Objective

The objective of the business analysis was to describe the current state of the company’s information system and its connections with the company’s business processes, and on this basis provide development proposals for improving the information system and adapting the related action plan.

Benefits

As a result of the business analysis, GoTravel received development proposals for improving its information systems in order to simplify customer communication, internal information sharing, the signing of various contracts, and the use of the loyalty program, as well as to enhance the security of the public website.
The analysis also resulted in the development and implementation of a payment link solution for PDF invoices, created in cooperation between LevelLab and OÜ WeIT, which significantly simplifies and speeds up invoice payments for customers.

Project client: AS GoTravel
Project implementer: LevelLab
Study duration: 09/2019–11/2019

Overview of Estonia’s Research and Innovation System

Objective

The purpose of the background report was to provide a comprehensive overview and assessment of Estonia’s research and innovation system to the European Commission. The overview included the structure and organization, management and funding, development, and other aspects of the research and innovation system. An assessment was provided on the management of the Estonian research and innovation system, the funding system for research and higher education, and external financing over a period of 10 years.

Main results

  • The most significant driver of economic development and growth is innovation, particularly innovation based on research and development (R&D).
  • The capabilities necessary for creating innovations are needed for the national innovation system to learn, develop the necessary human capital, stay abreast of international advances in science and technology, and maintain its productivity and competitiveness.
  • Innovators typically do not innovate alone but within national and international innovation systems that involve multiple participants and institutions. Therefore, policymakers must ensure that the combination of policies related to various parts of the system is balanced and that interventions across the entire innovation system are coordinated.

Methodology

Quantitative data and analysis, as well as document analysis, were used in the preparation of the background report.

Project contracting authority: European Commission
Project implementers: Technopolis Group Estonia and LevelLab
Duration: 10/2018 ‍– 02/2019

View the final report