Most people in Estonia (94%) are aware of European Union structural assistance to the country. The assistance is perceived to have positive effects on the Estonian economy over the years. While awareness of EU structural funds is high, awareness is lower for assistance also provided by the European Economic Area and Norway, at 35% of the population.

1. Public Opinion in Estonia on European Union Structural Assistance and on European Economic Area and Norway grants
September 2014
Faktum & Ariko

2. •Survey method: face-to-face interviews at home
•Survey period: from 32nd to 34th week of 2014
•Sample size: 1039
•Target group: 18-74 year old Estonian residents
Methodology

3. Summary (1)
Most people in Estonia (94%) are aware about European Union structural assistance to Estonia.
Those who are aware of EU structural assistance were asked to mention spontaneously some areas/fields that are being supported. Agriculture/ fisheries/ forestry were mentioned most often (53%), followed by roadway / rail / transport / ports (52%) and education/science (32%). The roadway/ rail / transport / ports were recognized most often (96%) from the list of possible supported areas/fields.
Within those of aware EU structural assistance both spontaneous (31%) and aided awareness (72%) are the highest for Enterprise Estonia as the institution in Estonia that intermediate structural assistance.
European Social Fund has the highest spontaneous awareness (18%) as EU support funds, followed by European Regional Development Fund (17%), in same time European Regional Development Fund has higher aided awareness (71%) than European Social Fund (59%).

4. Summary (2)
Those of aware EU structural assistance perceive the grants have positive effects for Estonian economic and this have been so for years.
Major of Estonian population (77%) are aware about some European Union co- financing project related with regional development near their living area. Most of those people (94%) perceive that it has been also positive impact.
The visibility of logos related with EU support is 91% (of Estonian population). Estonian people most often (53%) describe the meaning of those logos as referring EU support/ co-financing.
Most reliable source of information about euro funding are TV and institutions that share grants.
10% of those aware of euro funding have visited the EU Structural Assistance website www.struktuurifondid.ee, additional 23% know this site but have not visited.

5. Summary (3)
51% of people aware of structural assistance do not need any additional information about euro funding. Those who say they would need this (42%) mention most often the social area/ unemployed/ healthcare (29%).
Planning and distribution of structural aid in Estonia is considered to be transparent and clear by 51% of those aware of EU structural assistance.
Mostly (78%) is believed that the assistance is going to the right areas/fields. The incongruity of benefiting areas and their real need for support is the most often mentioned reason for those who disagree that assistance is targeted properly.
Awareness of Estonia receiving assistance also from European Economic area (EEA) and Norway is 35% (of Estonian population) and related logos have visibility of 21% population.

6. Most people in Estonia are aware about European Union structural assistance to Estonia.
94
93
94
95
95
91
98
83
6
7
6
5
5
9
2
17
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ALL RESPONDENTS
Men
Women
18-34 y
35-54 y
55-74 y
estonians
other
Gender
Age
Nationality
% of all respondents (n=1039)
Do you know or have you heard something about EU structural assistance?
Yes (know or have heard)
No (have not heard)

7. Those of aware EU structural assistance perceive the grants have positive effects for Estonian economic and this have been so for years
30
41
30
34
31
32
33
32
43
61
49
56
54
56
60
58
57
52
2
7
7
4
4
2
5
3
2
2
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
7
1
6
6
6
4
3
4
2
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2006 (n=278)
2007 (n=238)
2008 (n=432)
2009 (n=330)
2010 (n=522)
2011 (n=608)
2012 (n=516)
2013 (n=970)
2014 (n=974)
% of those aware of EU structural assistance In 2013 % of those aware of Estonia receiving support from EU/EEA/Norway
What kind of effect do you think eurofunding has os Estonian economical development?
Very positive
Rather positive
Rather negative
Very negative
No affect
Don`t know

8. European Social Fund has the highest spontaneous awareness and European Regional Development Fund has the highest aided awareness.
18%
17%
4%
53%
59%
71%
35%
14%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
European Social Fund
European Regional Development
Fund
Cohesion Fund
Don`t know/none of these
Awareness of European Union Funds
Spontaneous awareness
Aided awareness

9. Major of Estonian population (77%) are aware about some European Union co-financing project related with regional development near their living area.
77
79
76
77
77
78
77
78
23
21
24
23
23
22
23
22
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
ALL RESPONDENTS
Men
Women
18-34 y
35-54 y
55-74 y
Estonians
Other
Gender
Age
Nationa
lity
% of all respondents (n=1039)
Have you heard about some European Union co-financing project related with regional development near their living area?
Yes (know or have heard)
No (don`t know or have not heard)

10. The visibility of logos related with EU support is 91% of Estonian population.
91
92
91
92
94
87
94
84
4
4
5
4
2
6
3
6
5
4
5
4
4
6
3
10
75
80
85
90
95
100
ALL RESPONDENTS
Men
Women
18-34 y
35-54 y
55-74 y
Estonians
Other
Gender
Age
Nationalit
y
% of all respondents (n=1039)
Have you seen logos related with EU support?
Yes, have seen
No
Don`t remember

11. Planning and distribution of structural aid in Estonia is considered to be transparent and clear by 51% of those aware of EU structural assistance
7
6
4
7
6
7
6
42
33
32
32
40
37
45
19
22
25
26
25
30
27
10
12
13
10
11
12
7
23
27
26
25
18
14
15
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2008 (n=432)
2009 (n=330)
2010 (n=522)
2011 (n=608)
2012 (n=516)
2013 (n=969)
2014 (n=974)
% of those aware of EU structural assistance In 2013 % those aware of Estonia receiving support from EU
Do you agree that planning and distribution of eurofunding in Estonia is transparent and clear?
Yes, certainly
Rather yes
Rather no
No, certainly not
Don`t know

12. Mostly it is believed that the assistance is going to the right areas/fields.
14
10
9
11
11
16
11
64
61
59
53
52
51
58
10
15
15
12
12
7
9
2
3
5
4
3
4
2
9
10
13
20
23
22
20
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2014 (n=974)
2013 (n=969)
2012 (n=516)
2011 (n=608)
2010 (n=522)
2009 (n=330)
2008 (n=432)
Is eurofunding directed to appropriate areas in your opinion?
Yes, certainly
Rather yes
Rather no
No, certainly not
Don`t know
% of those aware of EU structural assistance
In 2013 % of those aware Estonia receiving support from EU

13. Awareness of Estonia receiving assistance also from European Economic area (EEA) and Norway is 35% (of Estonian population).
35
37
34
37
38
30
39
25
65
63
66
63
62
70
61
75
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ALL RESPONDENTS
Men
Women
18-34 y
35-54 y
55-74 y
Estonians
Other
Gender
Age
Nationalit
y
% of all respondents (n=1039)
Do you know taht Estonia is receiving support from European Economic area and Norway?
Yes
No

14. The visibility of logos related to European Economic area and Norway grants is 21% population.
21
22
19
23
24
13
24
12
65
64
66
65
60
71
67
61
14
14
14
11
15
15
9
27
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
ALL RESPONDENTS
Men
Women
18-34 y
35-54 y
55-74 y
Estonians
Other
Gender
Age
Nationality
% of all respondents (n=1039)
Have you seen logos of European Economic area and Norway grants?
Yes, have seen
No
Don`t remember

15. More information about the survey:
Liina Märtin liina.martin@faktum-ariko.ee Talis Tobreluts
talis.tobreluts@fin.ee