Results you can be sure of

Background

The survey on the field of management has been commissioned by Enterprise Estonia at five-year intervals in Estonia. Since the completion of the last survey (in 2015), there have been changes in the economic and business environment, in the general and managerial capabilities of companies, and in the training of managers. In addition, the field itself has developed rapidly in recent years, new approaches and trends have emerged.

Objective

The aim of the study is to identify the current situation in the field of management, the prevailing problems (including possible market failures) and shortcomings, and to obtain proposals for increasing management capacity, including with the help of the state.

Outcome

As a result of the survey, we assess the content, volume and quality of activities in the field of management, identify changes in the market and map important activities for increasing the management awareness and capacity for the near future and for a longer period. A self-diagnostic tool will be developed, which will allow managers to assess the level of strategic competencies in order to compare themselves with other similar companies and find recommendations for possible follow-up activities.

Contributor: Enterprise Estonia
Implementers: University of Tartu and LevelLab.
Project Duration: August 2021 to March 2022

The Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS), in cooperation with LevelLab, analyses the impact and effectiveness of the measure“Institutional development program for research and development institutions and higher education institutions” (ASTRA).

In addition to basic funding and mobility support, ASTRA is one of the most important measures in implementing the research and development and innovation (RD&I) strategy “Knowledge-based Estonia 2014-2020” as well as several other national strategies. The aim of the ASTRA measure is to support the implementation of structural changes in research and development institutions and higher education institutions, the development of the areas of responsibility of the institution and its activities. A total of 36 projects from 17 different research and development institutions and vocational universities have received support from the ASTRA measure, and the total amount of funding is 136 million euros.

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness, impact and implementation of the ASTRA measure and to describe the lessons learned. The study mainly uses qualitative methods such as document analysis, interviews and focus groupdiscussions with stakeholders and project implementers. The results, conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation of the ASTRA measure and the activities implemented within it will help to prepare new measures for the next structural funds period. This includes measures that help Estonia (especially the Ministry of Education and Research) to plan and support the institutional development of R&D institutions and universities.

Contributors: Estonian Research Council and the Ministry of Education and Research
Implementers: The Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS), and LevelLab
Project Duration: April 2021 – January 2022

The aim of the study is to update the methodology for assessing the training needs of local government officials and employees and to analyze the training needs, which contains proposals for solving the problems in the field of local government personnel development in the next 5-10 year period.

Results:

In 2015, a pilot study was conducted to map the competencies of local government officials and employees and to assess training needs. As part of the pilot study, a competency model was developed. The updated competency model in the framework of present study consists of three competence groups: general competencies, general local government management competencies and field-specific professional competencies.

The increasing flexibility of working hours and the use of teleworking necessitates the development of ICT skills, while the need to develop employees’ communication and cooperation skills also increases.

The budget forecast for training in local government institutions until 2030 is 24 million euros. It makes up about 1.7% of the local government salary fund.

The study indicates that there is a need for a central training coordination system with the aim of organizing the coordination of training in local governments in important priority areas.

Methodology: Interviews, Focus group Interviews, Expert Panels, Document analysis, Survey

Contributors: Ministry of Finance, The State Shared Service Center
Implementers: LevelLab, The Institute of Baltic Studies, Geomedia.
Final Report (in Estonian)
Project Duration: September 2020 – April 2021

Background

The Youth Guarantee Support System (YGSS) is a tool for the local government with the purpose of mapping out young people who are nor working or studying (NEET youth) and, if necessary, proactively offering them targeted support, primarily for continuing their education and/or reaching the labour market. Otherwise, it could have serious consequences for the society, such as a strain on the social security system or multiple social or structural issues.

The purpose of this study was to provide an assessment of the relevance, impact, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the implementation of the YGSS.

Results

YGSS is effective and its implementation along with support measures have significantly helped young people enter into the labour market and/or to continue education in Estonia, which is also impacted by labour market measures, networking, individual counselling and proactivity play.

The study shows that the YGSS is relevant in contributing to the participation of non-active youth in the labour market and/or their continued education as it increases the probability of reaching the youth in need of assistance, enables proactive supporting of the young individual and provides, as a case management model, guidelines for supporting the young individual, taking their individual needs and opportunities into account. Considering the multitude of services and opportunities aimed at young people, it is also relevant to pay attention to enhanced cooperation with other service providers.

Methodology:

Personal interviews, focus group interviews, documentary analysis and quantitative analysis was carried out.

Contributor: Ministry of Social Affairs
Implementers: LevelLab and The Institute of Baltic Studies
Final Report (Summary in English p. 13-15)
Project Duration: April 2020 to December 2020

The aim of the mid-term review was to assess the fulfilment of the administrative capacity measures of priority of 12.1 and 12.2 and the implementation and effectiveness of the activities financed to this end, taking into account other similar activities.

On the basis of the new evaluation model, the final report divides the activities of the administrative capacity under three different areas which are prerequisitions of a well-governed state: the development capacity of the government sector, managerial capability and the quality of policymaking.

Basic Results:

• The activities of the measures implemented to promote the development capacity of the government sector have yielded the expected results and remain relevant.
• The implementation of the measure activities has generally proceeded as planned.
• Task and expert forces have been very successful and have contributed to the increase of cooperation capacity in the country, to the involvement of partners and conducting evidence-based analyses of the effects.

Recommendations:

• There is no long-term Development Plan to improve Administrative capacity on the state level, therefore the sustainable administrative capacity is not always guaranteed. Is recommended to work out a horizontal sector- wide development plan within the long-term strategy Estonia 2035, both for local authorities and states.

Methodology:

Quantitative and qualitative data have been used: personal interviews, focus group interviews, the analysis of financial, output and result indicators, documentary analysis.

Contributors: Government office, Ministry of Finance 
Implementers: LevelLab, The Institute of Baltic Studies, Technopolis Group Eesti
Final Report (Summary in English p. 4-6)
Project Duration: March 2019 ‍– December 2019

The aim of the mid-term evaluation was to provide an assessment of the operational programme´s relevance, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. The evaluation covered all 14 priority axes of the operational program.

Results

The implementation of the operational programme is moving according to plan and by 2023 the target milestones in all priority axes will, in all likelihood, be able to be met.

As at 31.12.2018, €1.5b, or 32% of the €4.6b of the European Union Operational Programme for Cohesion Policy Funding 2014-2020, has been paid out. In summary, priority axes have been effective in terms of the fulfilling of financial indicators and an average of 103% of the target milestones for 2018 has been achieved. The subsidies have a direct impact on increasing employment, improving the health of the population, developing the living environment and achieving other goals. The operational programme has had a significant impact on the achievement of Estonia’s most important strategic objectives.

Challenges and Recommendations

The balance of regional development remains a major challenge. As a whole, regional differences remain significant and a noticeable pivot to more even territorial development has not taken place. Nearly 50% of EU grants are directed towards Harju and Tartu counties, while the majority of the remaining counties must accept an investment volume that is less than 5%. Additional funds from the performance fund are to be directed to activities which prevent problems and create added value, such as TA and innovation in entrepreneurship, education and regional development.

Methodology

Quantitative as well as qualitative methods were used to provide an assessment of the implementation of the operational programme: focus group interviews, personal interviews, workshops, document analysis, analysis of financial, output and result indicators of measures

Final Report

Contributor: Ministry of Finance

Implementers: Technopolis Group Eesti, Ernst & Young Baltic, Praxis, The Institute of Baltic Studies, LevelLab

Project Duration: November 2018 ‍– April 2019

The aim of the report was to compile a comprehensive overview and provide an assessment about Estonian research and innovation system to the European Commission. This report provides a general assessment of the effectiveness of the R&I system in creating knowledge and value for the society and a specific assessment of the role and impact of the R&I system in promoting added value creation in the business sector and productivity growth.

Main results:

• The most important driver of economic development and growth is innovation, especially innovation based on research and development (R&D).
• The capabilities necessary to generate innovations are needed so that the national innovation system can learn, generate the necessary human capital, keep up with international scientific and technological progress and maintain its productivity and competitiveness.
• Innovators do not, by and large, innovate alone but in national and international ‘innovation systems’ that involve many actors and institutions. Policymakers therefore need to ensure that the mix of policies relating to different parts of the system are in balance and that interventions across the innovation system are coordinated.

The report is based on document study, a specially prepared background report and over 60 interviews with stakeholders in Estonia.

Final report

Contributor: European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Implementers: Technopolis Group Eesti, LevelLab

Project Duration: October 2018 ‍– February 2019