The members of the Council are the President of the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and the Commander of the Defence Forces.

The Council discusses key issues from the point of view of national defence and expresses its opinions on these issues.

The Council meets in session. Sessions of the Council are held as often as required.

The National Defence Council operates on the basis of rules of procedure approved by the President of the Republic.

1. General provisions

1.1 The National Defence Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is an advisory body to the President of the Republic.

1.2 The Council operates on the basis of the National Defence Act.

1.3 The members of the Council are the President of the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and the Commander of the Defence Forces.

2. Duties

2.1 The Council discusses key issues from the point of view of national defence and expresses its opinions on these issues.

2.2 Issues for discussion are placed on the agenda by the President of the Republic. The members of the Council have the right to propose issues for discussion for inclusion on the agenda.

3. Sessions

3.1 The Council meets in session.

3.2 Sessions of the Council are convened by the President of the Republic.

3.3 Sessions of the Council are chaired by the President of the Republic or the President of the Riigikogu discharging the functions of the President of the Republic.

3.4 Attendance of sessions of the Council is mandatory for members of the Council. Members attend the sessions personally. If a member is unable to attend a session, they must inform the Office of the President of the Republic.

3.5 Other individuals may be invited by the President of the Republic to speak at a session of the Council.

3.6 Sessions of the Council are held as often as required.

3.7 Notification of a session of the Council having been convened is forwarded to the members of the Council and other invited attendees by the Office of the President of the Republic. The notification is forwarded within reasonable time and indicates the date and time, venue and agenda of the session. Other materials and information related to a session are forwarded as required.

3.8 Members may be provided with additional materials related to issues for discussion on the agenda at a session. These must be dealt with in accordance with the administrative procedure.

4. Procedure for discussion

4.1 Issues are discussed at a session in the order indicated on the agenda. The chair of the session has the right to amend the order of discussion of the issues on the agenda.

4.2 Where necessary, the chair of the session has the right, at their own discretion or on the proposal of a member of the Council, to raise issues for discussion which are not on the agenda. The order in which such issues are discussed is determined by the chair of the session.

4.3 In discussing an issue on the agenda, the floor is first given to the primary presenter, then to the co-presenter. This is followed by general discussion of the issue, during which the members of the Council have the opportunity to ask the presenters, other members of the Council and invited attendees questions and express their own opinions regarding the issue under discussion.

4.4 Discussion of an issue on the agenda ends when the chair of the session determines that there has been sufficient discussion of the issue.

5. Minutes of sessions

5.1 The minutes of sessions of the Council are taken and signed by the Adviser to the President of the Republic.

5.2 The following information is recorded in the minutes:

5.2.1 the date and time of the session;
5.2.2 the members and other invited individuals attending the session;
5.2.3 the name of the chair of the session and of the secretary of the minutes;
5.2.4 the agenda of the session;
5.2.5 the names of the individuals taking the floor and the topics of their presentations;
5.2.6 a description of the discussions held as part of the session;
5.2.7 a description of issues raised during the session which were not on the agenda and of the discussion that took place; and
5.2.8 other relevant details.

5.3 The minutes of sessions are archived at the Office of the President of the Republic without a term. The members of the Council have the right to review minutes at the Office of the President of the Republic.

6. Administration, financing and notification of activities

6.1 The administration of the Council is organised by the Office of the President of the Republic.

6.2 The costs related to the technical servicing of the work of the Council and its activities are borne by the Office of the President of the Republic.

6.3 The public is notified of the activities of the Council by the Office of the President of the Republic. The amount of information to be published in this way is agreed upon at each session.

President of the Republic's Cultural Foundation is a foundation established in 1993 on the initiative of the President of the Republic. It centralises donations made by individuals, companies, organisations and associations in support of cultural, educational and research activities in Estonia. The activities of the foundation are planned and managed by its supervisory board, while everyday work is organised by its director.

The Cultural Foundation issues the Young Cultural Figure Award, the Young Scientist Award, the Young IT Scientist Award, Education Awards and Special Physical Sciences Award. President of the Republic's Folklore Collection Awards have also become a tradition, as has supporting the history-based research competition for students organised by the Association of Estonian Teachers of History and Social Studies.

For issuing scholarships and awards of specific purpose, the Cultural Foundation may accept donations intended for specific purposes and conclude agreements with legal persons and private individuals. Such an agreement shall specify the amount of the scholarship or award, its target group, the authority making a choice between the submitted applications; how often the scholarship or award is to be issued, etc.

All scholarships and awards shall be issued by the Cultural Foundation. When issuing a scholarship or award, the relevant donor shall be mentioned.

The Young Scientist Award, which is valued at 5000 euros, is designed for people up to the age of 35 doing research at an Estonian or foreign college, university or research institution. Candidates must already have completed their doctorate.

Nominations may be submitted by the young scientists themselves or their tutors or employers, as well as by members of the Board of the Cultural Foundation. Nominations must comprise a written application, including personal details and curriculum vitae; a description of the research being conducted; a list of published research work relevant to the research in question; and at least two references from tutors or teachers.

The recipient of the prize is encouraged to reach an agreement with Estonian colleges and universities to give at least two academic lectures on their research during the year. Preference should be given, where possible, to institutions in Narva, Pärnu, Haapsalu or other centres outside of Tallinn and Tartu.

All application documents should be sent to the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic at Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn or e-mailed in digitally signed form to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The recipient of the prize is selected by the supervisory board, which may, if it so wishes or if required, consult scientists and lecturers.

The Young Scientist Award is issued by the Cultural Foundation and has been sponsored by Väino Kaldoja since 2010. The prize is valued at 5000 euros and is issued once a year.

The Young Scientist Award was established in 2000 by Toomas Luman, a member of the supervisory board of the Cultural Foundation, who also sponsored the award from 2000 to 2009.

Previous laureates:

2000 - Priit Kogerman, molecular biologist
2001 - Allen Kaasik, pharmacologist
           Culture Foundation Award - Hill Kulu, geographer
2002 - Ahto Buldas, computer scientist
2003 - Ivo Leito, chemist
2004 - Jaan Raik, computer scientist
2005 - Sulev Kõks, neurobiologist
2006 - Alar Aints, haematologist-oncologist
2007 - Ivari Kaljurand, chemist
2008 - Veronika Kalmus, sociologist and media scholar
2009 - Mait Müntel, physicist
2010 - Bruno Mölder, philosopher
2011 - Peeter Laud, computer scientist
2012 - Jaak Kals, senior research specialist in biochemistry and vascular surgeon
2013 - Elmo Tempel, astrophysicist
2014 - Lili Milani, gene researcher
2015 – botanist and mycologist Leho Tedersoo; media and communication researcher Andra Siibak

The Young IT Scientist Award, which is valued at 5000 euros, is designed for scientists up to the age of 35, who has acquired a doctoral degree, has been admitted for a doctorial studies programme (at either an Estonian or foreign university) or whose research work is closely related to the development of information technology and related spheres (main focus: software development and applications). The award can be used to promote research work or for its implementation in practice.

Nominations may be submitted by the IT young scientists themselves or by their tutors or employers, professional association, universities, or by members of the Board of the Cultural Foundation. Nominations must comprise a written application, including personal details and curriculum vitae; a description of the research being conducted; a list of published research work relevant to the research in question; and at least two references from tutors or teachers.

The Young Scientist Award is presented by the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic of Estonia and it will be funded by Skype Estonia for the next three years. The award is given once a year, in January.

All application documents should be sent to the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic at Weizenbergi 39, 15050 Tallinn or e-mailed in digitally signed form to vpinfo@vpk.ee.

The Cultural Foundation collates the documents and presents them to the Board. The recipient of the award is selected by the Board along with a representative of Skype Estonia.

The Board of the Cultural Foundation may, if they so wish or if required, consult scientists and lecturers as well as other experts before nominating the recipient of the award.

Previous laureates:

2016 – Sharemind data processing system author, developer and implementer Dan Bogdanov

EKK was founded by the President of the Republic of Estonia, and 77 organisations are currently involved in the charter process as members of the network. EKK acts as an independent foundation on the balance sheet of the Office of the President of the Republic. Its strategic plans are established by the Advisory Board, and its management is steered by the Executive Board.

The basis of the activities of the Estonian Cooperation Assembly is its charter, agreed upon by its members, which is drawn up for a period of three years. The current ECA charter, drafted in 2014, establishes the following as the assembly's priority areas:

– modernising public administration;
– caring for the health of democracy; and
– effective social partnership.

What exactly is the Kadriorg Ice Cellar Initiative?

On 21 November 2012, the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, summoned a meeting of the representatives of third sector organisations and political parties, cultural figures and political scientists; the meeting took place in the old Ice Cellar building in Kadriorg. At the meeting, it was decided that by spring, most likely by the end of March, proposals for developing democracy would be developed through the combined efforts of the population and then submitted to the Riigikogu. The organisation of the process was entrusted to the Foundation Estonian Cooperation Assembly (www.kogu.ee).

What is the driving force behind the initiative?

Over the last six months, in fact the last number of years, Estonian society has been discussing whether the election system that was established 20 years ago, the rules applicable to the activities of political parties and options available for citizens to participate in politics during the period between elections meet the demands of a democratic society. People are worried about the communication style and type of our politicians. They are also not happy with the ways used by the government, parliamentary politicians and political parties to justify their actions and decisions. This spring, society was shaken when a serious suspicion was raised – that the real sources of donations to political parties may not always be transparent and known. One of the foremost expressions of this dissatisfaction was the Harta 12 (www.harta12.ee) manifesto, which was published in November. Dozens of proposals have been made for the refreshment of the governance system. It is time to start summing up the discussions and get involved in some real action, meaning that the time has come to modify some laws.

Which subjects are open for making proposals?

In short, five major areas are involved: 1) the electoral system, 2) organisation of the work of political parties, internal democracy within parties included, 3) monies flowing to political parties and politics in general and the methods for the donation, reporting and supervision of such monies, 4) options available to citizens to be involved in shaping our policies during the interval between elections, 5) links between public sector positions and political parties.

When can one start making the proposals?

The uniform crowdsourcing platform will be implemented in January 2013. Everyone is welcome to send their proposals to the Estonian Cooperation Assembly either by e-mail or traditional mail to info@kogu.ee and Roheline aas 5, 10150 Tallinn, respectively.

What do you mean by "crowdsourcing" method?

Crowdsourcing is a term of English origin and stands for an initiative that involves the collection, systematisation and synthesising of public opinions and proposals. This method was successfully used a couple of years ago to develop a new constitution in Iceland. While ideas and proposals to amend laws usually come from the government and the Riigikogu (and from the President in the case of the Constitution), this time people will have the chance to define the issues and methods for implementing the desired changes.

How do you intend to ensure that my proposal will become a new law?

This is a joint, crowdsourcing effort – therefore, ideas may be changed and modified in due course through common discussion. Should your proposal pass analysis conducted by experts, public discussion and make it to the Parliament as an official proposal, it is quite possible for it to become a law. Still, there are no guarantees as laws are processed and enforced in Estonia by the Riigikogu. The whole process in general is aimed to bring the members of the Parliament, the political parties represented in the Riigikogu, experts, citizens and their representative organisations together and then develop solutions – together – regarding what can be done to change the current situation. A process with such a well-defined goal and deadline, agreed rules and the assumption that everyone will participate has not taken place in Estonia before.

How do you intend to ensure the transparency of the process and that some consideration is given to each and every proposal?

The crowdsourcing process is public and transparent; all proposals that match the subjects will be taken into consideration and their processing can be observed and proposals discussed.

Why are the individuals who make proposals required to identify themselves?

The creation of laws and making proposals for that purpose is a task loaded with responsibility and represents a privilege of free people living in a free society and each citizen will, most naturally, participate in this process under his or her correct name. Hopefully, the joint creative environment will have a separate section for exchanging opinions and participation in discussions may be more relaxed. The section for proposals and opinions will definitely have moderators to keep obscenities and flaming away from this environment; the same goes for committed and organised attempts to change the direction and subject of a discussion. One must also stick to the discussed topic. Low wages and costly electricity are important; there is no doubt about this, as are issues that involved hundreds and thousands of Estonian people. But the environment concerned will be focusing on elections, the lives of political parties and their funding as well as other factors that have an immediate influence on the future of democracy in Estonia.

Why do you need to build a new environment when we already have Täna Otsustan Mina (Today I Will Decide) or TOM, osale.ee, Facebook and possibly others?

It is possible that these environments, their parts or elements will be used. The difference between these environments and the created platform relies on the fact that the latter has very specific time and content parameters. The activities are divided into well-defined stages and spheres from the very beginning. While TOM and osale.ee are i.e. open-end platforms, there are already agreements in force with regard to the further processing of proposals made to the joint creation portal.

Are you going to organise public meetings?

Yes, at the moment there has been a suggestion that to discuss systemised proposals or more accurately, their "bunches" an over-Estonian public meeting will be convened in March 2013 at which the participants will represent a cross-section of society.

Who are the experts who will start sorting and sieving through the gathered proposals?

All those who were involved in launching the Ice Cellar initiative have the right to make proposals regarding people to sort and analyse the proposals, and the experts are expected to have some practical and academic background experiences in running a democratic country, organisation of the work of political parties and public governance.

Will the Riigikogu be required to consider the proposals that are made through the involvement of the people?

There will be no immediate obligations, as these are not provided by effective laws. However, as the parliamentary political parties are also involved in the process and have expressed their willingness to modify the legislation in force, it can be assumed, at least, that the Riigikogu will approach the initiative with full responsibility. Furthermore, political parties themselves have already started to develop the modifications.

Alar Karis,
Auditor General, professor

Toomas Kiho,
editor-in-chief of the journal Akadeemia (Academy)

Robert Kitt,
researcher at Tallinn University of Technology, member of the Executive Board of Swedbank AS

Andrus Kivirähk,
writer

Ants Laaneots,
retired general, Adviser to the Prime Minister

Henri Laupmaa,
technology entrepreneur, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Estonian Fund of Nature

Tõnu Lehtsaar,
Religious Psychology Professor at the University of Tartu

Tanel Linnas,
inventor, Ahhaa Science Centre

Aleksei Lotman,
nature conservationist

Viivi Luik,
writer

Marju Luts-Sootak,
lawyer, Professor at the University of Tartu

Ülar Mark,
architect, Head of the Estonian Centre of Architecture

Iivi Anna Masso,
political scientist

Mart Nutt,
historian, Chairman of the Institute of Human Rights

Tiit Pruuli,
entrepreneur, member of the Supervisory Board of AS Go Travel

Margus Punab,
doctor, head of the andrology unit, Tartu University Hospital

Peeter Saari,
academic, Professor of Wave Optics at the University of Tartu

Ene-Liis Semper,
artist

Helen Sildna,
music entrepreneur, Head of the Tallinn Music Week Festival

Daniel Vaarik

Raivo Vare,
business consultant, OÜ RVVE Grupp

Richard Villems,
academician, director of the Estonian Biocentre