29.11.2018 Eesti-Flandria koostööprogramm 2019-2022

CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME

FOR THE YEARS 2019-2022

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF ESTONIA

AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS

IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CO-OPERATION TREATY

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF ESTONIA

AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS

Tallinn, 29 November 2018

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The ninth meeting of the Joint Commission to discuss the Co-operation Programme for the years 201 9-2022 to implement the Co-operation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of Flanders was held in Tallinn on 29 November 201 8.

The chairperson of the Estonian delegation welcomed the Flemish delegation and presented the members ofher delegation:

Estonian delegation:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Marika Linntam Department for European Affairs Director General Head of Delegation

- Erika Ellamaa-Ots Head of Division

- Anne Mardiste Counsellor, Secretary of the Joint Commission

Ministry of Culture

- Reet Palis International Relations Department, Adviser

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication

- Marti Mätas EU and International Co-operation Division, Counsellor for International Co-operation and Trade

Enterprise Estonia

- Sven Aulik Export Division, Head of Export Advisors

Ministry of Education and Research

- Anu Peljo EU and International Co-operation Department, Chief Expert

Ministry of the Environment

- Karoliine Mäeots EU and International Co-operation Department, Senior Officer

Ministry of Social Affairs

- Jürgen Ojalo European and International Co-ordination Department,

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Chief Specialist

Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities

- Mr. Kaimo Käärmann-Liive Advisor, International affairs

Invited by the Estonian Delegation:

- Toomas Tirs Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium

The head of the Flemish delegation thanked for the kind reception and presented the members of his delegation:

Flemish delegation:

Department of Foreign Affairs

- Koen Jongbloet Head of Division, Division Co-ordination Head of Delegation

- Yves Wantens General Representative ofthe Government of Flanders

- Stefaan De Groote Policy officer Central-Europe

Flanders Investment and Trade Agency

- Thomas Castrel Economic and Trade Counsellor for the Flemish Region

Department of Culture, Youth and Media

- Anna Geukens Policy officer International Affairs

Department of Chancellery and administrative affairs

- Jan De Mulder Counsellor at the Representation of Flanders to the European Union

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Both delegations, hereafter called the “Parties”,

Reaffirming their ties of friendship and good cooperation;

Recognizing the successful implementation of the previous cooperation programme in a number of areas;

Desiring to expand cooperation in new areas, as defined in the agreement within their specific field of competence; and

Promoting the goals and exchange of information in the framework of the future development strategies of “Estonia 2020” and “Flanders 2050” as well as the forthcoming “Estonia 203 5”;

Agreed upon the following:

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1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TRADE

In the field of bilateral co-operation, both Parties will stimulate mutually beneficial exchanges and co-operation in entrepreneurship policy. They will search for suitable occasions for contacts among scientific institutions, companies, universities and administrations that are in charge of entrepreneurship policies.

As far as multilateral co-operation is concerned, both Parties strive for joint research in initiatives in the field of entrepreneurship, financed either through regional, national and/or European funding sources (ERDF, COSME and Horizon Europe).

Both Parties are committed to enhance and promote the trade relations between Estonia and Flanders. For that purpose, they will exchange information regarding business and investment opportunities. Ad hoc, and at the request of the other Party, both Parties will also exchange information regarding its market and sectors, useful contacts, experiences and knowledge concerning the promotion of international entrepreneurship.

For Estonia, the above will be realized by Enterprise Estonia, the official Estonian institution supporting Estonian companies in trade and investment as well as various kinds of international matters, being also the first source of information and assistance for foreign companies when looking to do business in Estonia.

Enterprise Estonia has interest in exchanging information and exploring the cooperation possibilities in sectors like e-ID/e-Governance, transport & logistics and shipbuilding.

For Flanders, the above will be realized by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) - the official Flemish institution supporting Flemish companies in various kinds of international entrepreneurship, as well as helping foreign companies in setting up or expanding in Flanders.

Since the opening of the office of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) for the Baltic region in 2016, economic cooperation between Flanders and Estonia received a new impetus. The office of FIT in Vilnius deals with questions from Flemish companies about doing business in Estonia and from Estonian companies about investing in Flanders. The Flemish economic representative visits Estonia on regular basis.

The economic representative returns once a year to Flanders for individual meetings with Flemish companies in order to give them tailor made advice concerning the business opportunities in Estonia and regarding how to approach the Estonian market.

2. ENVIRONMENT

2.1. Climate change, Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement

The Estonian Party (Ministry of the Environment) and The Flemish Party (Environment, Nature and Energy Department - ENE) are willing to co-operate within the objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, both Parties are willing to co-operate in areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation to climate change, including analyses of climate change impacts, greenhouse gas inventory, emissions trading system and transition to a low-carbon economy.

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2.2. Circular Economy

In view of the European Commission’s “EU Action Plan for Circular Economy” and new developments regarding the Commission’s Communications on “A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy”, “A Monitoring Framework for the Circular Economy” and on “Implementation of the Circular Economy package: options to address the Interface between Chemical, Product and Waste legislation”, the Estonian Party is in a process of drawing up a “Circular Economy Strategy” and its Action Plan, a strategic and action oriented document on the transition to circular economy in Estonia. Production, consumption, waste management, primary and secondary raw materials and chemicals management have been identified as key areas for action.

The Estonian Party is interested in exchanging views or best practices with the Flemish Party on achieving circular economy in these key areas, especially implementing circular economy at political level, engaging stakeholders and cooperating between different public institutions. The Estonian Party is particularly interested in actions that could be taken under the chemicals, products and waste interface or that are related to these policy areas and could provide input to the interface (e.g. implementation plans, national coordination networks, data collection systems, etc.).

2.3. Environmental education

The Nature and Environmental Education (NEE) Services of the Flemish Government are prepared to receive a delegation to introduce them within the NEE-working, the educative environmental care projects and the structure on the Flemish level in a profound and participative way.

Taking into account the wishes, the NEE-services can organise three or four days with the following interests, possibly in a follow-up project (MOS, Ecocampus):

. introduction of and making acquaintance with the working of the NEE-unit service within Flanders, with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as the frame of reference, and with the networking on NEE (diverse target groups) and on ESD; a specific educational activity or course on NEE and ESD for educators, teachers, guides, etc can be organized for the delegation;

. making acquaintance in a profound way with the MOS-project (Environmental Care at School, eco-schools), an educational and environmental care project from kindergarten to secondary education and, if preferred, linked with one or more school visits; getting acquainted with the educational means;

. introduction of the Ecocampus project which is concerned with the particular role of universities and colleges in a sustainable society: higher education can offer the intellectual leadership — through its teaching, research, and outreach - needed to get on track for a sustainable future. This introduction can be linked to a visit to a Flemish higher education institution;

. introduction of the procedure in Flanders on the phasing and implementation of the Strategy on ESD in the formal education and informal or/and non-formal education; making acquaintance with examples of good practices how ESD can be introduced in NEE; and

. site visit to one or more NEE-centres, linked with a Flemish nature reserve (coast, heath, forest, etc), and/or to a provincial NEE-service, getting acquainted with the common educational means.

The Ministry of the Environment of Estonia together with the Environmental Board can offer:

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. sharing experiences about the Joint Action Plan of Environmental Awareness and Education, signed in 201 8 between the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia and the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia;

. introduction and sharing experience about financing system of environmental education programmes

. sharing experiences about the environmental education website www.keskkonnaharidus.ee/en! and

. co-operation with Estonian schools and non-formal education centres (e.g. nature schools, environmental education centres).

The Institute of Ecology at the School of Natural Sciences and Health together with the School of Educational Sciences (the Centre of Excellence in Educational Innovation) at Tallinn University can offer: . sharing experience and methods in the field of sustainable development education programmes

for teachers and non-formal environment education specialists; . trainings I workshops in English in the field of sustainable development; . initiation of research co-operation; . discussions and sharing experience about university curriculum development (for

sustainability); and . co-operation with Estonian schools and non-formal education centres (e.g. nature schools,

environmental education centres).

2.4. Water Management

The Estonian Party would be interested in experiences of Flanders in integrated water resources management measures like those taken to reduce impact from diffuse sources on aquatic ecosystems, monitoring of priority substances, water management plans and organisation of the implementation ofthe plans, including the role ofwater companies in this implementation.

The Estonian Party would be interested in visiting relevant organisations in Flanders, especially those who prepare measures for water management plans and measure programs, where these measures are implemented. Also, visiting institutions where the influence of diffused pressure is being evaluated and monitored.

There are subjects of interest for another Estonian partner (Estonian University of Life Sciences) in connection with ECOSTAT: indicators, which are used to evaluate ecological situation of lakes in Belgium, especially of phytoplankton, zooplankton (which is not included as indicator in Water Framework Directive but as utmost important indicator, should be commonly evaluated and included), macrozoobenthos, aquatic macrophytes and fish.

Additionally, the Institute of Ecology at the Tallinn University is interested in mapping and methods of aquatic ecosystem services, and indicators that are used to evaluate the ecological situation of lakes.

2.5. Exchange of experts

Both Parties are prepared to invite, during the validity of the present programme, a team of maximum five experts (fluent English required) for a period of five days within the frame of environment, nature and energy in order to exchange knowledge and to establish contacts.

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3. MOBILITY AND PUBLIC WORKS

Both Parties are willing to exchange information and experiences regarding one or more of the following topics: . Hinterland connections from sea ports; . Logistics developments in the hinterland; . Application of smart logistics concepts and tools for optimising the different links in the logistics

chain; Flanders can exchange expertise on ITS, which strategic action plan will be completed in 2018.

. Smarter use of the available means of transport and the existing transport infrastructure;

. Promotion and encouragement of full modal integration; Flanders can give information on the initiative of “Multimodaal Vlaanderen”. This platform will be used for information, sensitization and guidance on the optimal choice oftype oftransport for every flow of goods.

. Greening of maritime transport with regard to air pollution, the use of LNG and biofuels as fuel for maritime shipping and the use of on shore power supply for sea going vessels.

. The role of the waterways in adapting to climate change.

The Estonian and Flemish governments will facilitate co-operation and the establishment of maritime connections between Flemish and Estonian ports.

Both Parties are prepared to consider receiving two delegations of maximum five EstonianlFlemish experts for a period of five days at the most in Estonia/Flanders to exchange information, training, documentation (including site visits to various locations to be determined) and knowledge about one or more of the aforementioned themes, according to their points of interest.

4. SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Both Parties shall examine ways of further optimizing their co-operation in the framework of the European Research Area, both in the field ofresearch, science and innovation policies.

The conditions for co-operation in the fields of science and technological innovation can be elaborated in a separate protocol, in case both Parties can reach an agreement.

In the field of bilateral co-operation both Parties will stimulate mutually beneficial exchanges and co-operation in science and technological innovation. They will search for suitable occasions for contacts among scientific institutions, companies, universities and administrations that are in charge of science and technological innovation policies, in particular in growth areas.

As far as multilateral co-operation is concerned both Parties strive for joint participation of researchers in the European Programmes ( Horizon Europe, COST, ESFRI, JPI, . . .) for Research and Development.

During the forthcoming years Estonia will focus mainly on areas where co-operation between businesses and researchers has the greatest potential to create added value, particularly information and communication technology, health technology and services and more effective use of resources.

5. EMPLOYMENT

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5.1. Both Parties shall continue the cooperation in the field of employment policy, social economy, vocational and entrepreneurial training, and encourage the contacts between the competent bodies and the social partners in this field.

5.2. Both Parties shall, at the request ofthe other Party, exchange information about the labour market, the legislation, the statistical data and any other information concerning employment policy, social economy, vocational and entrepreneurial training.

5.3. Both Parties encourage the cooperation in the field of the European Social Fund (ESF) and they shall exchange information and expertise concerning the management and the monitoring of the ESF.

5.4. The Flemish Party (Flemish Department Work and Social Economy) shall act as mediator for possible cooperation with any actor or network active in the field of vocational and entrepreneurial training, labour market, social economy and employment policy.

The Flemish Party is ready to: . investigate, if in Estonia workers can be found for Flemish bottleneck vacancies; . exchange information in this respect; . make bilateral agreements with the competent employment services in Estonia regarding the

exchange and fulfilment ofjob vacancies.

The impact of the subject of this cooperation can in no way have a negative impact on the labour market situation ofone or ofboth Parties.

6. CULTURE, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

6.1. Both Parties aim at building sustainable, cooperative cultural relations by fostering exchanges and by making use ofwin-win opportunities.

6.2. Both Parties shall inform each other in an active way concerning important developments in cultural policies, including the identification of the stakeholders involved and references to other sources that may be available.

The Parties will encourage and promote direct professional contacts by stimulating and fostering:

. exchanges, in order to develop, extend and deepen the knowledge and expertise of the culture sector and/or a specific subsector, theme or item, to discuss challenges and opportunities, ea.;

. networking in order to search for (long term) partners, projects or events, peer learning, exchange of (best) practices, studies, ea.

When common subjects, of considerable importance have been detected, the Parties or the involved sector stakeholders may decide by consensus to organise specific projects in that field, such as exchanges, training, study visits, seminars, residences, etc. Details for collaborations, including financial provisions, are to be agreed upon case by case between the entities concerned.

6.3. Both Parties would welcome the following initiatives in the coming years:

6.3.1. In respect of residencies: residencies for artists, writers, translators and other creative workers are an excellent instrument to stimulate contacts and exchanges.

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The list ofpossibilities for residencies in Estonia can be found on: . for visual arts, www.kul.ee/en!artist-residencies; . for performing arts: Kanuti Gildi SAAL, www.saal.ee/en/residency; and . for literature and translation: Writer’s and Translator’s House in Käsmu, www.ekl.ee.

Residencies in Flanders are to be found on: . for arts: www.kunsten.be/internationaal/residencies-workplaces; . for writers: http://wñtersinresidence.passaporta.be/index.php?g=residences/enlreguest/; and . for translators: http://www.re-cit.org/201 8/04/1 O/vertalershuis-antwerpen-translators-house-antwerp

belgium!.

Candidates for residencies should meet the criteria and pass the selection of the involved institution.

For example, in 20 1 8 and recently for 201 9, Wiels, Brussels in cooperation with the Center for Contemporary Arts Estonia (CCA), Tallinn selected two Estonian artists for its residency programme. The selected artists are/will be residing in Wiels successively, each for six months.

6.3 .2. In respect of performing arts: Several theatres, art centres, production companies and others in Flanders (such as Kaaitheater, KVS, Vooruit) have been cooperating with Estonian partners (such as Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Theatre NO 99, Baltoscandal Festival). Continued and new collaborations are encouraged.

6.3 .3 . In respect of music: There is an ongoing good collaboration between several Flemish and Estonian partners in diverse music disciplines. Continued and new collaborations are encouraged.

Festival van Vlaanderen, Kortrijk is interested in cooperation opportunities in the field of traditional music. Viljandi Traditional Music Centre could be a potential cooperation partner from the Estonian side.

Estonian and Flemish music organisations and musicians have established contacts in the frame of the Tallinn Music Week. Flanders Arts Institute proposes to invite Estonian music professionals for a visitors’ programme on jazz and classical music.

Musica, Impulscentrum voor Muziek, in Flanders is proposing among others two music educational programmes and wider cooperation possibilities (visitors’ programme, sharing expertise, conference, etc). The organisation will be looking for Estonian counterparts.

6.3.4. In respect of visual arts: Several cooperation initiatives have taken place and new ones are welcome.

Co-operation opportunities could be explored between relevant museums and art institutions in Flanders and Estonia in view of common projects, including exhibitions. Possible cooperation partners in Estonia could be the Art Museum of Estonia, Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center, Center for Contemporary Arts Estonia among others.

Tallinn Art Hall is planning a joint exhibition involving artists from both countries.

6.3 .5. In respect of design and architecture: Both Parties shall explore the possibilities to exchange contacts, expertise, best practises; improve and support networking and bilateral projects in the field

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of design and architecture between relevant professional institutions and development centres, universities, design and architecture companies and organisations.

6.3 .6. In respect of the mobility of artists and culture professionals: Mobility of artists and culture professionals is of particular interest for Flanders. Contacts and collaboration would be welcome from the Estonian side.

In Flanders a Mobility Information Point (MIP) is working in the frame of the organisation “Cultuurloket”. Cultuurloket is willing to share expertise, exchange contacts, ideas, best practices and personnel with relevant organisations in Estonia working on this kind of service, digitization of working processes being one of possible collaboration topics and of special interest for Cultuurloket.

6.3 .7. In respect of culture education: With regard to cultural educationlcultural learning, both Parties are willing to look for possibilities to cooperate and exchange experiences from policy and field experts in order to learn from each other.

6.3.8. In respect of film, including animation: both Parties shall explore the possibilities to exchange contacts, expertise and best practises in the field of film and animation between relevant professional institutions, universities, film and animation industries and festivals. Earlier cooperation has been ongoing between Anima Festival, Filmfest Gent, Filem’On Film Festival for Young Audiences, Black Nights Film Festival, etc.

6.3 .9. Both Parties are willing to improve and to stimulate the networking of the cultural heritage institutions of their countries for the purpose of the exchange of knowledge, competences, best practices and experts related to the sustainable care, safeguarding, preservation, promotion and digitization of movable and intangible heritage.

6.4. Both Parties will cooperate in the field of culture and cultural heritage in the framework of the multilateral organisations and fora, both European and global, such as the European Union, Council of Europe, UNESCO, etc. Both Parties can agree to participate in related working groups, exchange best practices and to look closer into opportunities for common projects.

Both Parties welcome the exchange of ideas and experiences connected to the implementation of the existing EU Creative Europe Programme as well as the new programme for the 2021 -2027 period and other EU programmes supporting the development of culture, media, heritage, cultural and creative sectors and industries. Addresses ofthe Creative Europe Desks in Estonia and in Flanders can be found on: www.ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/contact_en

7. CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTORS AND INDUSTRIES

Both Parties are willing to co-operate in the field of cultural and creative sectors and industries. They shall examine possibilities to exchange the knowledge, information and best practices, as well as to develop bilateral projects of common interests and strategies between relevant institutions in Estonia (Creative Estonia, Enterprise Estonia, Statistics Estonia, creative incubators and development centres in different cultural fields, etc) and in Flanders (Flanders Arts Institute, Flanders DC, Cultuurloket, Enterprise Flanders Agency). There is a special interest in interaction between higher arts education and the development of the cultural and creative industries.

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The Parties shall foster networking, supporting direct contacts between organisations, the micro and small-sized culture and creative enterprises and mutual participation in fairs and showcase festivals.

8. YOUTH

The work programme regarding Youth is being discussed at the Youth Sub-Commission. The informal bilateral meeting in preparation of the Sub-Commission meeting (for multilateral and bilateral co-operation) took place in Brussels on 26 and 27 November 201 8. The minutes of this preparation meeting will be distributed after the meeting.

The Parties agreed to hold the next Youth Sub-Commission in the beginning of 201 9 in Estonia in order to develop a common roadmap, vision and strategy for future multilateral and bilateral co operation. The Parties will jointly prepare a proposal for future co-operation programmes that will serve as the basis for discussions with Latvia and Lithuania.

9. EDUCATION

The Parties consider direct co-operation between their institutions of general education, vocational education and training, higher education, adult education and the research institutes — on the basis of mutual need and interest — as the fundamental form of their educational and scientific co-operation.

The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of education focusing on the following: . E-leaming and IT education; . entrepreneurship education; . environmental education; . vocational education and training; . in higher education, especially in the music, visual art and arts related education as well as

science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and . the exchange of students, researchers and teaching staff.

The Dutch Language Union is studying if it is possible to provide a Dutch language course at an academic level in Estonia. There are currently contacts with two possible teachers.

9.1. “Dutch Language and Culture” summer course

The Dutch Language Union offers support for Dutch language departments, teachers and students of the Dutch language abroad.

The Dutch Language Union offers two summer courses: one in Ghent (Belgium) and one in Zeist (The Netherlands). During the course in Ghent, special attention goes to the Flemish culture.

More information about the support and the summer courses can be found at the website of the Dutch Language Union taalunieversum.org/inhoud/dutch-worldwide/summer-courses-dutch.

9.2. Exchange of information and documentation

During the validity of the present programme, both Parties shall, at the request of the other Party, exchange relevant information on all types and levels of education and teacher training. In higher education, there is a special interest for music and visual art and arts related education and science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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Both parties will seek cooperation and exchange in the framework of the EU programmes and of initiatives ofthe Council ofEurope, the OECD and the European Higher Education Area.

9.3. Scholarships

All information on study opportunities in Estonia and on conditions of the Estonian scholarships, including for the Estonian language and culture summer courses at Estonian universities, can be found at www.studyinestonia.ee.

For the Flemish Party the responsible authority is the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training. The information on study opportunities in Flanders can be found at www.flanders.be/en/studying or www.studyinflanders.be/. The Government of Flanders awards scholarships to outstanding students for Master programmes in Flanders and Brussels. More information on: www.studyinflanders.be/enlscholarship-programmes/master-mind-scholarships/

10. PUBLIC SECTOR GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION

The Estonian Party (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, Ministry of Finance, The e Governance Academy) and the Flemish Party (Department of Public Governance and the Chancellery, Flanders Information Agency, Flemish Agency for the Interior) will co-operate by exchanging information, experience, expertise and best practices between the administrations (including local governance and smart cities).

Further to the fruitful study-visits (both in 201 7 and 201 8) by managers and experts from the Flemish administration to Tallinn, the Flemish Party remains particularly interested in public sector innovation such as the E-govemment developments and ICT-applications in Estonia (as an implementation ofthe digitization objectives ofthe European Union).

Both Parties agree to focus further contacts and co-operation on public sector modernization. In case of further mutual interest, particular exchanges or joint initiatives could be outlined and agreed upon by the concerned services and administrations ofboth Parties.

11. WELFARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Healthcare - Child and Family

The Flemish Agency Child and Family is able and willing to exchange information, knowledge, experiences, documentation and/or tools in the domain of the preventive healthcare, about the wellbeing of young children, in the domain of childcare and concerning target groups and social vulnerable families. They can exchange information, experiences and documentation about the organisation and regulation of child care in Flanders and Brussels and provide information about the organisation ofintegrated early childhood preventive care (family centres).

The Agency can also provide tools in the domain of unsafe children’s articles, online courses (for instance breastfeeding at www.kindengezinacademie.be ), pictographic material, material about child development, family supporters, vaccination, experience in early eye or hearing screening, etc.

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The exchange on the above-mentioned items can be realized through different channels of communication. Mutual exchange visits can be organized within the limits of the available financial resources.

12. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY

The Government of Flanders has had an equal opportunities and diversity policy since 1995. Flanders wants to establish a position of equality for all citizens and groups of society (6 million inhabitants). This policy aims to map out discriminatory mechanisms and combat them. Certain groups receive particular attention: men and women (gender balance), people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, people with a migratory background, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual people (LGBTs). Flanders has specific equal opportunities and anti-discrimination legislation, conducts awareness-raising activities and commissions scientific research on the theme of equal opportunities and diversity.

Equal Opportunities in Flanders pursues its own equal opportunities policy on the themes of gender, sexual identity, accessibility and disability, and additionally coordinates the mainstreaming policy (transversal equal opportunities policy) within other policy domains in the Government of Flanders, including in education, sport, culture, employment, wellbeing and health. Department of Public Governance and the Chancellery, Flemish Agency for the Interior and the Agency for the Integration coordinate policy aimed at integration for immigrants and for citizens of other ethno-cultural backgrounds.

The Government of Flanders also implements a specific internal equal opportunities policy, via the Diversity and Equal Opportunities Unit Flanders under the guidance of the Flemish Emancipation office. The Government of Flanders wants its workforce (44,000 members of staff) to reflect in the diversity of the population. The service develops Human Resources projects and aims its policy at quotas for specific groups.

Flanders is happy to share its experiences and knowledge and to align in the exchange of experts, academics and government officials on areas such as the following: . how to create a legislative framework for supporting equal opportunities and anti-discrimination

policy; . how to implement a diversity policy on the shop floor (regulations, measures to strengthen the

position and status of specific vulnerable groups, awareness-raising, projects, etc.); . what initiatives to set up around equal opportunities and diversity in areas such as social policy

and welfare, employment, health, defence, education, culture and sport; and . how to embark, as a government, upon a good dialogue with civil society and the disadvantaged

groups in society (stakeholder management government with civil society).

Estonia would be interested in learning from Flanders’ knowledge and experience in promoting and monitoring accessibility for people with special needs (including different disabilities), in particular accessibility of transport, housing, public buildings and spaces.

Estonia would also be interested in learning from the long-term experience of Flanders Equal Opportunities Agency, especially concerning public awareness raising through campaigns to promote gender equality and equal opportunities.

13. CAPACITY BUILDING

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Port Training

The Flemish Party offers to the Estonian Party the possibility to send experts to seminars in the field of port training, organised by Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre (APEC).

The Estonian Party shall present its candidates for these seminars. APEC shall select the participants. The Flemish Party covers the costs of the participation. Travel expenses are to the account of the participant.

14. ESTONIAN CENTRE OF EASTERN PARTNERSHIP

Both Parties recognise the importance of contributing jointly to the success of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) aiming to support the Eastern European countries’ (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) sustainable reform processes with a view to accelerating their political association and economic integration with the EU.

In this context, the Flemish Party commits itself to explore the possibility to support the activities of the Estonian Centre of Eastern Partnership (ECEAP). Activities could be focused on: . strengthening the expert body oftrainers and researchers ofthe ECEAP; . capacity-building seminars for the local officials and civil society organisations of the EaP

partner countries; . analytical reports on the progress made by the EaP partner countries through measurable

indicators/indexes of public administration reform; and • policy advice to the EaP partner countries’ local administrations in specific areas of reform,

institution-building and EU approximation.

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14. GENERAL AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

14.1. Scholarships

Every student (applicant) applies individually and all information on the conditions can be found on the sites www.studyinestonia.ee or http://www.studyinflanders.be/.

14.2. Exchange of persons

Criteria and financial conditions to be agreed on a case-by-case basis by the parties concerned.

14.3. Exchange of exhibitions

The precise conditions for these exchanges of exhibitions will be discussed and agreed between the specific co-operation partners.

14.4. Other conditions will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

14.5. This programme does not exclude the possibilities to organise other events or exchanges or to start new projects on which both Parties will agree.

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Both Parties agree to hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission in Brussels in 2022.

Drawn up in Tallinn, on 29 November 2018, in English, in two (2) original versions.

For the Government of Estonia, For the Government of Flanders,

(4L Marika Linntam Koen Jongbloet

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