NPO Fenno-Ugria, 3-4 P. Süda St, 10118 Tallinn, Estonia
372 644 5119, info@fennougria.ee
Kindred Peoples' Programme
Kindred Peoples Programme II (2005–2009) - Government aid programme for supporting Uralic (Finno-Ugric and Samoyed) indigenous languages and cultures (2005–2009) is a continuation of the Kindred Peoples Programme I (1999–2004). It would be difficult to over-estimate the importance of the latter in supporting and developing the languages and cultures of Finno-Ugric peoples with no nation-state.
With the support of the programme, more than 100 young people representing minority Finno-Ugric peoples have had the opportunity to attend universities and colleges in Estonia. Several important international events have been financed from the programme as well (the 3rd and 4th World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples, 9th International Congress for Finno-Ugric Studies et al). All these accomplishments have contributed to the positive image of Estonia and Estonian government policies in the fields of education, culture and international relations in co-operation with Finland and Hungary as well as in relations with the Russian Federation.
The objectives of the programme are still topical, for these goals may be attained during a longer period of time. At the time being, 80 students representing the minority Finno-Ugric peoples attend the universities and colleges of Estonia and will continue their studies during the next few years.
Kindred Peoples Programme II will not repeat the basic concepts and strategic objectives of the previous programme. While the new programme was compiled, activities undertaken in past years were analysed in depth and in contrast with the premises of achieving further goals. The current programme was compiled, considering the results of this analysis.
The programme will support five different fields (education and training courses, research, culture, exchange of information as well as health care and protection of the environment). The allocation of support in these fields should be mutually complementary among the fields in question. In formulating the objectives in these fields, the programme takes into account the Resolution 1171 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (see Annex 1), the Protocol of the meeting of Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian delegations representing ministries of culture and education (see Annex 2), the Resolution of the 3rd World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples (see Annex 3) as well as agreements concluded by Estonia on education and culture with Finland, Hungary and the Russian Federation.
The programme is managed by the Council of the Programme council due to be formed by the Minister of Education and Research. The Council of the Programme will decide awarding nonrecurrent project grants and allowances pursuant to applications presented. The Council of the Programme has the right to initiate projects, the goals of which are in accordance with the objectives and aims of the programme. The Council may alter the proportions of support allocated to each field on the basis of the success of concrete projects and the changes in preferences, which may occur during the period of the programme.