Research Report

K. Kollom: Estonian nongovernmental organisations in alcohol policy planning

Unlike other Northern European countries, Estonian non-governmental organisations have, until now, been fairly passive in shaping alcohol policy and alleviating alcohol problems. More generally, there has been little systematic analysis of alcohol policy in Estonia. This article starts with a short overview of the problems associated with alcohol abuse and the current state of alcohol policy in Estonia. I will then examine how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) see their role in the formation of alcohol policy and whether contributing to the dialogue on alcohol policy is even among their priorities. Finally, I will investigate the readiness of governmental agencies to involve organisations in shaping alcohol policy. One of the conclusions is that the state and NGOs are currently caught in a policy loop: third-sector organisations expect the state to put projects out to tender and to invite them to alcohol policy discussions, while government institutions would like the NGOs to show more initiative – at least on the level of rhetoric. Furthermore, because alcohol policies involving injunctions and prohibitions are associated with the former occupation regime of the Soviet Union, frowned on in the new liberal society, prominence is rather given to opinion formation and education work than prohibitive measures, which by their nature are more controversial.