The budget for the priority axis of lifelong learning for 2007-2013 is 66.4 million euros, of which 56.4 million come from the European Social Fund and 10 million euros is Estonian co-financing. Development of general and vocational education, youth work, language learning and adult education is funded from this money. The largest programs of those launched are „Substantive development of vocational education 2008-2013“ and „Adult vocational training and development activities“. One of the newest programmes is „Continuing Training Programme KUTSE for the People Who Have Disrupted Studies of Vocational Education“, which is intended for supporting the continuation of education in a vocational school for those who have discontinued their education studies before.
Vocational and adult education activities are to be started using the assistance of the measure „Development of learner-centred and innovative vocational education and offering a wider range of opportunities for lifelong learning“.
A follow-up language learning programme „Language learning development 2011-2013“ is being prepared and an additional open call for project applications for the teachers’ in-service training is being planned. Information about the open calls will be published on the website of the 2nd level intermediate body Foundation for Lifelong Learning Development Innove.
Financial resources from the European Regional Development Fund are used for modernising the infrastructure of vocational schools, schools for children with special educational needs and youth centres by taking the objectives of the priority axis of the Operational Programme for the Development of the Living Environment as the basis. Total funding is more than 210 million euros from ERDF and for the modernisation of vocational institution further funding is added by the state for covering the non-eligible VAT. The Government of the Republic has approved investment plans for implementing the measures.
