On 2 February, a cooperation memorandum was signed at the Estonian Knighthood House, launching the National Defence Year programme led by the Defence Resources Agency. Sorainen was represented by our counsel Robin Teever, who signed the memorandum on behalf of the firm.
The initiative establishes a cooperation framework aimed at basic schools (which provide education for students between 7 and 16 in Estonia), to promote an informed citizenry and strengthen national resilience. The programme also serves a broader societal purpose by helping young people develop a sense of responsibility and belonging, as well as preparedness to protect their home and community.
Young people’s first step into defence
“Estonia’s security lies in having knowledgeable and confident citizens. With the National Defence Year, we are taking an important step by introducing national defence and crisis preparedness topics to students as early as Year 8. Our aim is not to frighten young people, but to equip them with practical skills and knowledge, which build confidence to cope in any situation,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. Among other things, students will learn first aid, cyber hygiene, and risk assessment.
“Our firm’s mission is to contribute to the overall wellbeing of our region, and security is an essential precondition for that,” said Robin Teever. “So we are pleased to be supporting initiatives that strengthen the security of Estonia and the Baltic region, including the National Defence Year, which lays early and comprehensive foundations for contributing to national resilience.”
The National Defence Year programme expands national defence education to cover younger pupils, building on the compulsory curriculum introduced in 2024 for upper secondary schools (which provide education for students between 16 and 18 in Estonia). The programme will be implemented within the national curriculum and will support Year 8 studies. Schools will be provided with learning materials, methodological support and training. Activities will be carried out in cooperation with partners to ensure the programme is easy for schools to adopt and does not create unnecessary workload.
The programme will offer practical learning opportunities, including joint events, study days, camps and training sessions. It will also support young people’s physical activity through supervised air-rifle shooting and other activities.
Participation in the National Defence Year programme is voluntary for schools. The initiative is designed as a sustainable model that will continue beyond 2026. The cooperation memorandum reflects the parties’ shared commitment to working together on the programme’s implementation.
