STUDY VISIT TO TALLINN, ESTONIA, WITHIN THE TWINNING LIGHT PROJECT

Within the framework of the Twinning Light project “Supporting Free Access to Information – Rising Together”, funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia, a study visit to Tallinn, Estonia, was realized by a group of employees from the Agency for the Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information.

The first day of the visit began with an official meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, where the key activities of the Estonian Government for the promotion and protection of human rights at the global level were presented, with a special focus on the right to access information. The hosts highlighted Estonia’s role in the establishment and functioning of the Freedom Online Coalition, the Global Majority Government, and the Open Government Partnership.

At the E-Estonia Briefing Center, the delegation learned about the development of digital infrastructure and the transformation that began in the 1990s, which has led Estonia to its current state of full digitalization of social processes. The center is an innovative space where visitors are shown how digital solutions can enhance the functionality of institutions and services for citizens.

The second day continued with official visits to the Estonian Information Systems Authority (RIA) and the e-Governance Academy (eGA). The Estonian Information Systems Authority (RIA) is the central institution responsible for maintaining the digital infrastructure, which encompasses electronic personal identification, trusted services, digital signatures, mobile identification solutions, secure data exchange, and cybersecurity. The institution manages the X-Road platform, which connects all digital state services.

eGA, as a non-governmental and non-profit organization, assists developing countries in building digital public administrations through advice, training, strategy development, legislative support, and promotion of interoperable digital solutions.

On the third day of the study visit, the Agency staff were introduced to the work of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs (JUSTDIGI), where they were presented with Estonia’s model for ensuring free access to public documents and advanced open data policies. The Ministry demonstrates its strong commitment to openness, accountability, and citizen-oriented digital services, which is an example at the international level.

The study visit ended with a meeting at the Data Protection Inspectorate (AKI), where the delegation was introduced to the supervisory mechanisms for personal data protection and the institution’s practice in processing cases, providing guidance and promoting the safe and lawful processing of data.

Estonia demonstrates its continued commitment to privacy protection and transparent governance, setting international standards that all countries can draw inspiration from.