EDUCATION AND YOUTH BOARD

Their core work

The Education and Youth Board (Harno) is Estonia's national public agency responsible for education policy implementation, school development, and youth programs. In H2020, they contributed practical expertise in applying responsible research and ethics frameworks within educational institutions, and piloted digital innovation programs in schools. Their role centers on translating European research outcomes into real classroom and school-system practice, drawing on Estonia's reputation as a digital education leader.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

The Board's H2020 involvement began in 2017 with broad societal themes around responsible research and innovation (NewHoRRIzon), then moved toward structured ethics governance (ETHNA System in 2020). By 2021, their focus had sharpened considerably toward applied digital education — whole-school mentoring, evidence-based decision making, and regional innovation hubs through iHub4Schools. This trajectory shows a clear shift from abstract policy frameworks toward hands-on digital school transformation.

Moving decisively toward applied digital education and school-level innovation support, making them a strong partner for projects needing a national education authority to pilot and scale digital tools in real school systems.

How they like to work

Always a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with their role as a national implementing body rather than a research-driven organization. Despite only three projects, they have worked with 39 partners across 19 countries, indicating they join large, broadly distributed consortia. This makes them accessible and experienced in multinational collaboration, though they contribute as policy practitioners rather than research leaders.

Broad European network spanning 39 partners across 19 countries from just three projects, reflecting participation in large CSA consortia. No apparent geographic concentration — their partnerships are pan-European.

What sets them apart

As Estonia's national education authority, they offer something most academic partners cannot: direct access to a country-wide school system for piloting and implementing project results. Estonia is widely regarded as a European leader in digital education (e-governance, digital literacy curricula), giving this organization credibility and real-world testing grounds that few other public bodies can match. For any consortium needing to demonstrate impact at the national education policy level, they are a compelling partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• iHub4Schools
  Their largest funded project (EUR 76,375), focused on practical digital school transformation — the most applied and implementation-oriented of their portfolio.
• ETHNA System
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 90,750), addressing ethics governance across higher education and research funding — a growing EU policy priority.