Associations
Through associations, members of the Riigikogu can draw attention to specific issues, support or protect the interests of a narrower field. For example, the Riigikogu has associations like the Support Group to Teach Estonian as a Foreign Language and the Estonian Tourism and Local Food Support Group.
How are associations created?
Individual members and factions of the Riigikogu can form associations on a voluntary basis and, in principle, without restrictions. The chairman of an association submits a notice to the Board of the Riigikogu which sets out the name of the association, the objectives of its activities and the names of the members and factions of the Riigikogu who belong to the association. The Board informs other members of the Riigikogu of the formation of the association. The association will decide how to organise its activities at its own discretion. The working period of associations is four years, i.e. the duration of the term of the Riigikogu.
What is the basis for the activities of associations?
Associations are formed for different reasons. There have been friendship and support groups during several terms of the Riigikogu, aiming to develop the following fields:
- Parliamentary international communication, for example Support Group for Democracy and Citizens’ Rights and Freedoms in Byelorussia
- Regional interests, for example the Association of Islands, Setomaa Support Group
- Specialist interests, for example the Association of Doctors
- Interests related to religion, for example the Orthodox Association
- Interests related to a specific organisation or project, for example the National
- Heritage Association, the NATO Support Group, the Estonian Nuclear Plant Support Group
- Gender-related interests, for example the Riigikogu Women’s Union
- Other interests, for example the Estonian Football Support Group
Associations
- “Mindful Estonia” Support Group
- Support Group for 6500 Estonian Children Living in Deep Poverty
- Support Group for Freeing Alexei Navalny and Other Political Prisoners in the Russian Federation
- Trade Unions Support Group
- Openly About Rail Baltic Support Group
- Bioethics Support Group
- E-Estonia Support Group
- E-commerce Support Group
- Estonian Food Bank Support Group
- Estonian History Support Group
- Estonian Authors Support Group
- Estonian Films Support Group
- Estonian Aviation Support Group
- Estonian Beekeepers Support Group
- Estonian Forest Brothers Tradition Support Group
- Population of Estonia Support Group
- Support Group for Faster Development of Estonian National Defence
- Estonian Food Support Group
- Estonian Food Industry Support Group
- Estonia-Taiwan Friendship Group
- Support Group for the Transparency and Reliability of Electronic Voting
- Livingness Support Group
- Support Group for Sports and Exercise of People with Special Needs
- Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization Support Group
- MS Estonia Ferry Disaster Investigation Support Group
- Support Group for the Protection of Estonian National Interests in the European Union Climate Package
- Global Estonia Support Group
- HIV and Drug Prevention Support Group
- Restoration of Haapsalu Railway Support Group
- Hong Kong Support Group
- Ida-Virumaa Parliamentary Group
- Autonomous Vehicles Support Group
- Hunters Support Group
- Football Support Group
- Bicycle Friends Support Group
- Järvamaa and Viljandimaa Support Group
- South Eastern Estonia Support Group
- Defence League Support Group
- Defence Industry Support Group
- Bullying-Free School Support Group
- Civil Society Support Group
- Home Owners’ Support Group
- Local Governments and Regional Policy Support Group
- School Meals Support Group
- Space Field Support Group
- Higher Education Support Group
- Village Movement Support Group
- Broadband Network Support Group
- Single Parents and Child Rearers Support Group
- Children Support Group
- Urban Mobility Support Group
- Linnamäe Hydro Power Plant Protection Support Group
- Support Group for the Prevention of Interpersonal Violence and Supporting Its Victims
- Chess Support Group
- Maritime Affairs Support Group
- Forestry Support Group
- Modern Technology, Energy and Research Support Group "Future Estonia“
- Mulgimaa Support Group
- Family Caregivers and Caregivers Support Group
- Direct Democracy Support Group
- Family Support Group
- President Donald Trump Support Group
- Pärnumaa Support Group
- Support Group for the Study of Oil Shale and Other Natural Resources in Estonia
- European Union of Nation States Support Group
- Rail Baltica Support Group
- Coastal Fishermen Support Group
- Rapla County Support Group
- Support Group for Making the State Budget Understandable
- Innovation Support Group
- Riigikogu Women’s Union
- State Reform Support Group
- Islands Support Group
- Setomaa Support Group
- Finno-Ugric Support Group
- Sports and Fitness Support Group
- Smoke Free Estonia Support Group
- Freedom of Speech Support Group
- Renewable Energy Support Group
- Tallinn-Helsinki Fixed Connection Construction Support Group
- Tartu Regional Development Support Group
- Tartu Peace Treaty Support Group
- Tibet Support Group
- Tori Horse Breed Support Group
- Transit and Logistics Support Group
- Tourism Support Group
- Manufacturing Industry Support Group
- Support Group for the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine
- Freedom Fighters and Victims of Repression Support Group
- Volunteer Rescue Service Support Group
- Mental Health Support Group
- Belarusian Political Prisoners and Democracy Support Group
- Hydrogen Technology Support Group
- Estonian Diaspora Support Group
- Orthodox MPs Support Group