Estonia: Towards a Single Government Approach

These OECD country reviews examine governance and public management issues from a comprehensive perspective, helping countries to identify how reforms can better reinforce each other in support of overall government objectives. They also examine reform strategies that have worked in other countries and provide advice as to which reforms can be appropriately adapted to a given country.



Since the restoration of independence in 1991, Estonia has met the challenge of establishing a fully functional, stable, and modern state. This review looks at how, building on its significant accomplishments to date, the Estonian public administration can work together as a single government to improve and sustain service delivery to citizens and to meet new challenges on the horizon.

Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms
Executive Summary
Chapter 1. Main Assessment and Key Recommendations
Overview
Promoting a whole-of-government approach in public administration
Building a common agenda
Delivering public services effectively
Conclusion
Key recommendations
Notes
Chapter 2. The Role of the State Following Economic Success
Introduction
Estonia: A regained independence
Estonia between 1991 and 2010: Four stages of economic development
Estonia’s public finances
Social performance
Economic Outlook
Notes
Chapter 3. Public Governance Arrangements in Estonia
Introduction
Estonia’s institutional framework
Estonia’s public administration
Identifying challenges to successful public administration reform
Chapter 4. Promoting a Whole-of-Government Approach
Introduction
The elements of a “whole-of-government” approach
Promoting co-ordination, co-operation and collaboration in the public administration
Creating a supporting organisational culture
Building a flexible public administration
Notes
Chapter 5. Building a Common Agenda
Introduction
Enhancing cross-sectoral strategic planning
Modernising the performance and budget system
Establishing frameworks for effective decision making
Notes
Chapter 6. Delivering Public Services Effectively
Introduction
Overview: Choices and priorities
Reinforcing the sub-national financing and administrative structure to ensure sustainable public services
Supporting innovative service delivery for efficient, effective and accessible
public services
Improving relationships across levels of government to enhance service delivery and policy outcomes
Taking territorial needs into account for service delivery and regional development
Conclusion
Notes
Chapter 7. Case Study One: Estonian Education – Sustaining High Quality Schools
Introduction
Background and context
The suitability of the current financing system for supporting general education, and alternative approaches
The capacity of local governments to provide high quality education
Nationally run general upper secondary schools
Re-drawing the boundaries of school catchment areas
Recommendations for sustaining high-quality education in Estonia
Conclusions
Notes
Chapter 8. Case Study Two: Social Services for the Elderly in Estonia
Introduction
The Estonian context
A fragmented system of care for the elderly
The international policy context
The challenge for Estonia
Recommendations
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Annex A. Overview of Accrual Accounting and Budgeting Practices in Individual Countries
Annex B. Working Age Population Dispersion
Annex C. Management and Consultation