In a country of just 1.3 million people, sport is not a luxury but a lifeline, a source of unity, pride and resilience. Estonia’s approach to sport may be modest in numbers, but it is ambitious in spirit. At the heart of this movement stands Raido Mitt, Undersecretary for Sports at the Ministry of Culture, who leads a small but determined team shaping the nation’s sporting future. With only five officials managing a total budget of around € 260 million, Estonia proves that scale is no barrier to vision.
The Ministry of Culture’s sports department represents one of four key pillars within the ministry’s 100-person structure, yet it carries a responsibility that reaches every corner of Estonian life. The state contributes €46 million directly to sport, while local municipalities account for roughly 40 percent of total funding. The rest comes from private sponsors and individuals. A reminder that sport here is a shared national project. For every euro spent, partnerships and local engagement multiply its value. The ministry’s sports budget represents about 14 percent of its total, with funds channeled toward national federations, Olympic committees, coaching programs and international events that showcase Estonia on the world stage.
The current coalition agreement, running through 2027, sets out a strategy aligned with the broader Estonian Strategy 2035. Its themes are clear: participation, economic contribution, ethics and global presence. The long-term Sports Strategy 2030 is designed to deliver on these pillars, supported by a shorter sports program for 2023–2026, soon to be extended. Although frequent government changes have shortened planning cycles, Mitt and his team continue to build steady progress by working hand-in-hand with national federations, physical activity centers and local municipalities. In a nation of this size, cooperation is not optional, it is the system’s strength.
Participation is the beating heart of Estonia’s sports agenda. In 2022, 45 percent of adults met the national baseline for physical activity. The goal is to reach 56 percent by 2026 and ultimately match the Scandinavian benchmark of 75 percent by 2030. That ambition translates into simple daily habits: adults exercising twice a week for 30 minutes, moving toward the international recommendation of 150 minutes weekly. For children, the target is 60 minutes a day, with schools increasingly integrating physical education as part of holistic development. The Competence Center of Physical Activity plays a crucial role here, providing research, guidance and community programs that make movement accessible to all. Progress may be incremental, but the trajectory is unmistakable. As Mitt points out, the challenge is not to chase perfection but to sustain motivation through achievable milestones. The coalition’s promise of “sport for all” underscores the idea that physical activity is a civic right as much as a personal choice, vital to health, cohesion and national wellbeing.
Beyond the health agenda lies the economic power of sport. Estonia’s ability to host international competitions has become both a strategic tool and a source of pride. Each year, about € 6 million is allocated to sports events through three funding streams: € 1 million for smaller national federation events, € 2 million (doubling to € 4 million next year) for economically impactful competitions and € 3 million for major international showcases such as the 2027 Biathlon World Championships. The Biathlon Federation, with two decades of experience in organizing world-class events, epitomizes this approach. These championships will not only elevate Estonia’s sporting reputation but also generate tax revenues and tourism. In 2023 alone, event support brought € 13.9 million in VAT back to the state from foreign spending; a clear return on investment. Flexible financing pre-agreements between government and federations allow organizers to plan ahead, reinforcing trust and partnership. Hosting major events is about more than medals; it is a statement of capacity, professionalism and national pride.
“In a sense, Estonia’s smallness is its advantage.”
Integrity forms the third cornerstone of Estonia’s sports policy. Since 2019, the country has operated the Center for Integrity in Sports, an independent agency responsible for anti-doping, match-fixing and safeguarding. With a small but expert team, the agency embodies Estonia’s preference for smart, integrated systems. In 2026, its mandate and budget expands to include broader ethical issues, from violence prevention to transparency in governance. Cooperation with police ensures that serious violations move seamlessly from sporting to criminal proceedings when necessary. Inspired by models from Finland, Denmark and Canada, Estonia has unified its ethics, anti-doping and protection frameworks into one structure, promoting clarity and accountability. Plans are underway for a sports court to handle ethical disputes more efficiently. It's another step towards trust and credibility in national sports governance.
Elite sport, meanwhile, remains a source of identity and aspiration. The Estonian Olympic Committee oversees Team Estonia, which receives about € 10 million annually to support athlete development and federation activities. This funding ensures that Estonian athletes can prepare for World Championships and Olympic Games with professionalism and pride. Yet behind every athlete stands a coach, and here the ministry invests with intent. In 2025, coach salary support exceeds € 12 million, helping 1.500 professionals across 451 organizations. Minimum monthly salaries recently rose from € 1.400 to €1.520, with the state covering half the amount and the remainder provided by clubs or federations. Mitt acknowledges that this still lags behind wages in education or cultural sectors, but the trajectory is positive. Incremental raises and expanded eligibility will strengthen the coaching profession and ensure continuity for young athletes. The logic is simple: if you want to lift performance, first lift those who teach it.
The interconnectedness of these priorities is what defines Estonia’s model. Participation fuels elite performance, elite success inspires the next generation and integrity sustains trust across the system. Economic impact, ethical governance and health outcomes reinforce each other in a virtuous cycle. It’s a delicate balance managed not by large bureaucracies but by a handful of dedicated professionals working with hundreds of partners across the country. In a sense, Estonia’s smallness is its advantage. Decisions travel fast, cooperation is personal and innovation thrives in close networks.
Looking towards 2030, Estonia envisions a society where movement is woven into the rhythm of daily life. The country’s sports and exercise sector already employs thousands, contributes to GDP and unites communities from Tallinn to Tartu and beyond. Its policies may not always make global headlines, but their consistency and clarity set a powerful example. For Raido Mitt and his colleagues, success will not be measured only in medals or rankings, but in healthier citizens, ethical institutions and a sustainable sporting culture that reflects the nation’s values.
Estonia’s story proves that even a small country can think big and act wisely. With collaboration as its muscle, ethics as its backbone and participation as its heartbeat, Estonia is quietly building one of Europe’s most balanced sports systems. In a world often obsessed with scale, it reminds us that true impact doesn’t depend on size. It depends on focus, purpose, and the will to keep moving forward together.
Raido Mitt undersecretary for sports @ Ministry of Culture