OREANDA-NEWS. September 05, 2008. In the first stage, the fund of wise decisions will support innovative research and development projects to the extent of EEK 11.5 million, reported the Official website www.valitsus.ee.

 In August, 13 new projects were launched in fields that are at the top of the government’s priority list. The changes in the structure of the economy will be supported, the employment and education issues attended and the competitiveness of the region or field of economy increased. In addition to the initiatives of the ministries, great ideas from non-governmental organisations were also supported.

The projects of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, the Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organisations, the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions and the Estonian E-Health Foundation will be funded.

The results or the first “wise decisions” will be expected in 2009.

The next projects of the fund of wise decisions will be chosen this autumn. In that round, a separate support scheme will be added for young scientists.

The government established the fund at the beginning of 2008. The objective of the fund is to increase knowledge-based governance and improve the availability and quality of public services.

The fund supports increasing the management capacity of institutions, the organisation of effect analyses important for the state, and research by young scientists in fields that are significant to the state. Support can be applied for by associations of local government units, representative bodies of non-governmental organisations, associations of undertakings, trade unions, ministries and other governmental institutions.