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Description
The project focusses on one of the aspects of organisational sustainability, namely ensuring that there is next generation cohort interested in working in think tanks. The aim of the project is to design and implement a programme that provides Estonian students with an insight into the work of think tanks. The programme involves seminars and individual work. Successful participants will be then added to the list of students who will be offered work-bites with think tanks that will prepare them better for the future work opportunities there. We believe that such an approach is later scalable for other CSOs as well, thus we will also focus on spreading the word about our experience and helping other organisations to benefit from it.
Summary of project results
Ensuring the growth of future professionals and attracting talent to specific fields is crucial across all sectors of society. The nonprofit sector, compared to other societal sectors, has certain advantages, such as greater freedom and flexibility in planning and implementing activities. However, it also faces clear challenges, largely stemming from unstable funding. While attitudes toward nonprofits and their role in society are generally positive in Estonia, they are not widely recognized as employers or career paths.
This project aimed to address this issue by launching a collaborative program with Estonian university students. The program provides students with practical insights into the work of think tanks focused on applied research, showcasing this field as a potential career and development opportunity. At the same time, it helps think tanks cultivate a pool of future employees. Students who successfully complete the course receive a certificate (which can also count as credit in their academic program) and gain the opportunity to join a "waiting list" through which they can access paid, skill-building tasks in various projects. This hands-on collaboration helps identify the most motivated and outstanding students, who may then be offered internships and, eventually, employment opportunities.
The project team envisions that this type of collaboration model with students could be implemented in many other Estonian nonprofits, helping them address their talent development needs. After gaining initial experience and analyzing the program''s effectiveness, the project aims to share the findings with the wider nonprofit community and support other organizations in launching similar initiatives.
The project activities revolved around designing and delivering a comprehensive course in collaboration with a partner organization. This course consisted of six seminars and interspersed independent assignments, providing an in-depth look into the practical workings of think tanks. Topics included planning projects, understanding clients, applying various research methods, communication strategies, drafting policy recommendations, and collaborating with other stakeholders. The focus was primarily on the practical aspects—how these activities are implemented in real-world scenarios, the decision-making processes involved, the dilemmas encountered, and the solutions adopted.
This approach proved to be a strong choice, as participants included bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as a few individuals with PhDs. While their theoretical knowledge (e.g., in research methods) varied, applying these skills in the context of real-world applied research was a new and engaging experience for most.
The course was conducted twice: during the spring semester of 2022 in Tallinn and the autumn semester in Tartu. For each session, participants were recruited, and in both cases, demand far exceeded capacity, with nearly double the number of applicants than available spots.
Between seminars, participants worked in five-member groups on independent research projects. Each project was progressively developed based on the seminar topics, with participants receiving consultations during the assignment phase and feedback after submission.
Graduates of the course were added to a list through which they are offered paid, skill-building tasks as part of projects at Praxis and RAK. Notably, two graduates from the first cohort began working as analysts at Praxis in 2023. Additionally, the second cohort inspired a new potential initiative: one group expressed interest in fully implementing their research project. This idea may evolve into a follow-up program, where teams of young researchers, mentored by experienced analysts, gain hands-on research experience by working on real projects.
The project successfully piloted a new approach for connecting emerging talent with think tanks and, more broadly, with civil society organizations (CSOs). A structured program was designed and implemented, consisting of six seminars and a group research project guided by mentors. This program provided participants with practical insights into the everyday operations of think tanks. Two cohorts of 20 participants each were recruited—one in Tallinn and one in Tartu—primarily consisting of master’s and doctoral students.
Graduates who successfully completed the program were offered “work-bites” with think tanks, small-scale paid tasks that help them gain hands-on experience and better prepare for potential future roles in the field. By 2023, two graduates from the first cohort had already begun working as analysts at Praxis.
The project’s primary goal extended beyond merely recruiting talent for Praxis or its partner organization, RAK. It aimed to address a broader issue: the lack of attention many CSOs give to attracting and developing the next generation of talent. By testing this model internally first, the project sought to evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness, with the vision of expanding it to involve more CSOs.