Together with other partners, COBALT has signed a cooperation memorandum that marks the launch of the National Defence Year programme, led by The Defence Resources Agency.

The programme establishes a cooperation framework aimed at basic schools, with the goal of supporting the development of informed and responsible citizens and strengthening national defence awareness. More broadly, it serves a wide societal purpose by fostering a sense of responsibility, cohesion and readiness among young people to protect their home and community.

COBALT was represented at the signing of the cooperation memorandum by our partner and Defence and Security industry lead, Jesse Kivisaari. According to him, it is encouraging to see Estonian society clearly moving in a direction where everyone has a role and understands what to do in a potential crisis situation. This, in turn, strengthens Estonia’s defence capability and security.  “We hope that already a year from now, at the next anniversary of The Tartu Peace Treaty, we will be able to see the programme’s longer-term and substantive impact,” he said.

COBALT has made supporting Estonia’s defence and security a strategic focus. The national defence and crisis preparedness programme helps build awareness, responsibility and readiness – knowledge and skills that are essential both in crisis situations and in peacetime.

National Defence Year Programme

The National Defence Year programme expands the teaching of national defence to an earlier stage of education, building on the national defence studies that became mandatory in upper secondary schools in 2024. The programme is implemented within the national curriculum framework and supports teaching in Grade 8. Schools are provided with ready-made learning materials, methodological support and training.

Activities are carried out in cooperation with partners to ensure that the programme is easy for schools to implement and does not create an unreasonable additional burden. The programme includes the development of practical learning opportunities and the organisation of joint events, study days, camps and training sessions. It also supports young people’s physical activity, including activities related to shooting sports, which are conducted safely using air weapons under the supervision of trained instructors. Participation in the National Defence Year programme is voluntary for schools.

The National Defence Year is designed as a sustainable model that will continue beyond 2026. The cooperation memorandum expresses the parties’ shared commitment to implementing the programme.

The cooperation memorandum was signed by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur (Ministry of Defence), Director General Anu Rannaveski (Estonian Defence Resources Agency), Colonel Margot Künnapuu (Estonian Defence Forces), Colonel Tõnu Miil (Estonian Defence League), Director Hellar Lill (Estonian War Museum), Deputy Secretary General Renno Veinthal (Ministry of Education and Research), Meelis Loit (Estonian Shooting Sport Federation), Kristjan Karis (Tehvandi Sports Centre Foundation), Arvi Hamburg and Indrek Orav (Estonian Engineers’ Association), Mari Krass (Magnum AS), Neinar Seli (Estiko AS), Robin Teever (Sorainen Law Firm), Mait Palts (National Defence Promotion Foundation and Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Lauri Betlem (Salvest AS), Maret Tambek (Nordecon AS), Kaarel Rahu (UG Investments OÜ) and Jesse Sakari Kivisaari of COBALT Law Firm.

This news is based on a press release issued by the Estonian Defence Resources Agency.

Photo: Estonian Defence Resources Agency