Strengthening democracy and active civil society

After more than 25 years since the re-establishment of independent Baltic States, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have built stable democratic systems. These political transformation and democratic consolidation processes, however, have not been fully completed in any of these countries, and the political systems of the Baltic States are marked by similar dynamics.

Party competition in all the three states is highly volatile, resulting in frequent changes of governments. Trust in politics and political institutions is lacking, and voter turnout rates are low, with 50% in Lithuania, almost 60% in Lativa and 64% in Estonia. The readiness to participate in political processes in the Baltic States is weak. So far, there is no strong, critical or active civil society in any of these countries.

The Friedrich Ebert Foundation strives to contribute with its work to the strengthening of democratic structures and civil society of the Baltic States, and promote social and political participation and engagement. FES' approach is creating platforms for a dialogue between stakeholders and multipliers in politics, civil society and academia, promoting political participation through political education and supporting social discourse on the challenges of social democracy in the Baltic States with regional and international projects.

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Thursday, 05.03.2020 - Thursday, 05.03.2020 | Estonia, Democracy and civil society | Event

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Thursday, 21.03.2019 - Friday, 22.03.2019 | Lithuania, Democracy and civil society | Event

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Recent Publications

Feeling cornered

Krumm, Reinhard; Stamberg, Tõnis; Strapatšuk, Irina

Feeling cornered

An analysis of the Russian-speaking minority in Estonia
Tallinn, 2023

Download publication (1,7 MB PDF-File)


Under pressure

Krumm, Reinhard; Šukevićs, Krists; Zariņš, Toms

Under pressure

An analysis of the Russian-speaking minority in Latvia
Riga, 2023

Download publication (1,7 MB PDF-File)


No longer off the radar - NATO's enlargement to the North and its implications for the Baltic States

Hassebrauck, Lukas

No longer off the radar - NATO's enlargement to the North and its implications for the Baltic States

Riga, 2023

Download publication (160 KB, PDF-File)


Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung 
Baltic States

Latvia Office
Dzirnavu iela 37-64 
LV 1010 Riga

Estonia Office
Pärnu mnt. 27-13
10141 Tallinn

Lithuania Office
A. Jakšto g. 6a/8-34
LT-01105 Vilnius

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