The main centre is Estonian Institute for Futures Studies...

The main centre is Estonian Institute for Futures Studies (established in December 1991, really started to work from Spring 1882). There are some other enthusiasts of futures studies also other institutions (Dr. Alari Purju from Economic Faculty of Tallinn Technical University of Human Geography of Tartu University, Dr. Raivo Vilu from chemical Faculty of Tallinn Technical University), but all these people have some kind of connection with Estonian Institute for Futures Studies (EIFS).

Some of these people worked in Estonian Institute for Futures Studies in some period, some participated in institute’s projects. Dr. Marju Lauristin from Institute of Journalism of Tartu University (previous deputy speaker of Estonian Parliament and Minister for Social Affairs) participated in some international futures studies projects (for example project: Futures scenarios for Northern Europe), she also had cooperation experience with EIFS.

The main research fields of Estonian Institute were: macro-economic development scenarios of Estonia; future trends and scenarios of Baltic Sea countries, regional cooperation perspectives (for example Estonia-Finland); future of regional disparities in Estonia, future prospects of main Estonian regions; personal income differences in Estonia (by social groups, regions, sectors etc.); perspectives of main economic sectors of Estonia and main “national business ideas”: transit transportation, food processing industries, engineering industries etc.; problems of Estonian accession into EU; future of Russia and it’s impact on Estonia’s future prospects; national innovation system, product and technology development in Tallinn.

In 1997 EIFS worked out four development scenarios for Estonia (“Estonia 2010” project): “Ferryman scenario”, “Southern-Finland (or “Scandinavian periphery”) scenario”, “Military info-oasis scenario” and “Great Slam (or “Interface”) scenario”. These scenarios were discussed with all political factions in Estonian Parliament, in Government (Cabinet) meeting, with high level officials and regional leaders and also widely discussed in media.

Later model calculations were done with macro-economic model of Bank of Estonia to find the balance of payment parameters by each of mentioned scenario. In 1999 document called “Guidelines for Estonian spatial development (until year 2010)” was prepared by team from EIFS. This document was approved with some corrections by Government of Estonia in July 2000.