About Conference

Security and Civil Society Conference 2025

“The impact and effectiveness of development aid on European security in time of turbulence”

Security & Civil Society Conference 2025 is a three-day event (5th, 6th and 7th December 2025) that will include an intensive programme of high-level discussions, working groups, development of the civil society and international stakeholders appeal (declaration) to the international community. A one-day preparatory meeting and visits in Estonian Government Institutions and Estonian representation of the European Commission will be organised for the high level experts and invited speakers on the 4th December 2025 in Tallinn.

A joint annual conference of two international networks Green Habito and EuroMeduc is organised by Peace Child Estonia and consortium of the partners, co-financed by Estonian National Foundation of Civil Society and with financial contributions by Green Habito and EuroMeduc networks, British Council, Sillamäe Society for Child Welfare, Nordic Council of Ministers office in Estonia and European Union Cohesion Policy Fund.

The aim of the conference ‘Security and Civil Society 2025’ is to bring together European and Estonian experts, stakeholders, civil society networks and various actors to discuss existing challenges, share views and experiences on development cooperation, humanitarian aid and foreign and security policy.

The conference aims to hold debates on these three main themes, to find solutions to challenges, to exchange good practices and to prepare proposals for stakeholders and decision-makers. It is important to foster cooperation and to create functioning networks for development cooperation, between NGOs and government representatives, as well as between businesses, creating a platform for joint initiatives and projects that would increase the Estonian and European contribution to global development cooperation, sharing the experiences of different actors.

Additional goals:  

  • To explore possible solutions for stabilising European security, improving people’s cognitive security and moving forward development cooperation & assistance
  • To identify the main obstacles to achieving the SDGs in time of cuts in official development assistance/aid, but also populism, authoritarian governments growing youth unemployment and systemic over-consumption;
  • To support further development of Green Habito and EuroMeduc networks and empowerment of stakeholders, government, donors representatives and other relevant organisations to implement the outputs of the International conference and contribute to dialogue on development cooperation and peace process in Europe and developing countries;
  • To share practical approaches and successful experiences in applying the principles for effective, high quality, and high impact international development co-operation
  • Promote better alignment between international development cooperation with nationally identified sustainable development needs and objectives
  • Generate concrete recommendations for action at country, regional and global levels to create a more coherent and responsive development cooperation system with full contirbution of CSOs.

Introduction – Background:
The geopolitical shock and the consequences following from the Russian invasion in Ukraine are also influencing security and democracy development in three key regions: Charting Ukraine’s and Moldovan`s Future in European Union, conscious Nordic-Baltic security policies to becoming NATO members and global & regional influence on Mediterranean security environment.  We will discuss the role of CSOs and different stakeholders in achieving peace and the importance of intercultural dialogue in healing divides and reconciling societies. Key  foreign and security policy issues plus development aid questions will be discussed mostly from the perspective of the African, Euro-Mediterranean region, Northern and Eastern parts of Europe.
Nearly 600 million people face extreme poverty by 2030 and developing countries grapple with annual SDG financing gaps of up to $4 trillion. The international development cooperation system is faltering precisely when needs are greatest and priorities urgent. The landscape of international development cooperation has transformed dramatically since the adoption of the 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agendas in 2015, becoming more complex with new actors, modalities and instruments. While this diversity brings opportunities, it has also increased the coordination burden and transaction costs for developing countries. The growing focus on global public goods and humanitarian emergencies, while crucial, has reduced support for countries’ long-term sustainable development priorities, including those of the most vulnerable. The changing global political, social and economic landscapes calls for a bold steps by the EU and other actors to demonstrate strong international position and forward-looking approach towards the implementation of the SDGs.
The conference is an opportunity to reaffirm the significance of the importance of the work of the European Union deveopment cooperation and aid assistance, NATO, OSCE and its member states for promoting peace on the continent and achieving a safer, greener, socially sustainable and digitally integrated community. The conference will connect development cooperation and humarian aid organisations, regional networks of practitioners, distinguished policymakers, civil society organisations, analysts, politicians, military personnel representatives, academics, media and international donors from Europe and foreign actors of the Africa, Euro-Mediterranean region and abroad.

Conference focus:
In particular, the conference will focus on how to translate political promises and agreements into action, focusing on the implementation process and sharing lessons learnt from achievements to date with both local and international

Themes: 

  1. Global challenges and their implications for Estonia and Europe
  2. Development policy and humanitarian aid in 2025: needs, challenges and expectations
  3. The future of development cooperation in turbulent times: possible scenarios
  4. The role of local governments and civil society organizations in building resilient societies

Programme:
The programme will consist of plenary lectures and speeches, panel discussions, workshops, study visits, a round table and Working groups in World Café discussions formate involving all participants. Participants will be expected to share their experience – and emphasise to younger participants and CSOs their perspectives on the ‘art of the possible.’ They will also be expected to deliver targets and action ideas for implementation at local, national and international levels. The focus will be to contribute effectively to sustaining peace in regions, promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by and spreading knowledge and outcomes to CSOs, research and political institutions, communities and individuals involved back in their home countries.

Key results: 

  • The participants have gained new knowledge and competences on development cooperation issues and the functioning of a more resilient civil society.
  • Conference is calling for stronger engagement of Civil Society as important actors and governance in international development cooperation to direct resources effectively.
  • Conference provided a great opportunity to discuss the current landscape of regional security and development cooperation challenges and identified concrete steps for future cooperation.
  • Empowered Innovation in civil society’s engagement with intergovernmental processes in development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
  • Shared best practices and lessons learned from partnership-building with development cooperation organisations and actors working with global/ regional outreach.
  • Civil Society Organisation gained a new positive impuls to play greater role in designing and implementing future European development cooperation policies
  • Constructive cooperation between CSOs and development cooperation stakeholders will be strengthened in the long term perspective, creating opportunities for civil society within cross-sectoral partnerships, in particular by strengthening policies and possibly reviewing funding in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The number of network`s members has grown.
  • Provided skills and knowledge on how actively participate in crisis prevention and building responses to securital, humanitarian crises for resilient society.Within the framework of the key discussion, it is a good opportunity to get to know Nordic and Estonia’s views on the challenges that exist in Europe and record Estonia’s contribution to achieving the goals of sustainable development, as well as learn about the circular economy, reducing overconsumption and green turn solutions to better serve civil society for the future of Europe.
  • CSOs bring people, communities and stakeholder together to negotiate required change in development cooperation policy, build consensus, and forge partnerships to achieve broader social transformation. 
  • CSOs will Identify and address the root causes of insecurities and vulnerabilities in development cooperation through comprehensive, integrated, and multi-sectoral mapping, debaets and analysis. 
  • Practical Strategies to reinforce development cooperation policies.
  • Practical Strategies to secure greater international development cooperation and build resilient societies  stronger institutions.
  • Within the framework of the key discussion, it is a good opportunity to get to know European, Euro-Med African regions and Estonia’s views on the challenges that exist in development cooperation field and record Estonia’s contribution to achieving the goals of sustainable development.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FROM 1st of June till 20th of November 2025
Please register yourself on web: https://conference.peacechild-estonia.org/registration/

During the conference participants will be able to hear inspiring keynote speakers, take active part in the debates, share knowledge and have some new experiences, meet and speak with inspiring colleagues, Government and Non-governmental organisations, International doners, researchers and professionals from all over Europe and beyond.
Explore the Civil Society and Culture of Estonia, create new opportunities and learn new skills and knowledge. It’s a great opportunity to get to know each other, find a potential partner and design own local action programme/initiative which will contribute to the success of development cooperation, improve civil society resilience and increase partnership and number of members within Green Habito and EuroMeduc networks and from across the regions. 

After the formal first two day there will be additional informal one, in which all participants will be able to present themselves, meet the other participants and try to find a partner and develop a local, regional or international initiatives (and interdisciplinary) for community members, development cooperation CSOs or young practitioners.

For CSOs,  young people and interested professionals there is a special interdisciplinary skills workshop programme and practical thematic session of sharing best practices and experiences.

Event Overview / Schedule Rationale:  4-day event, held from 4th to 7th December 2025 as follows:

  • Day ONE: Arrival of international and local participants + Official Opening Ceremony & Gala Dinner in Toila Spa Hotell.
  • Day TWO: Opening Plenary laying out the goals and themes of the meeting; Pandel discussions, round tables to share essential information about each of the Conference Themes and start developing implementation strategies and policy recommendations;
  • Day THREE: Continue Round Tables & Creative Workshops on key themes; and visits to key facilities, institutions and factories in Tallinn; Small Drafting group prepares first draft of Tallinn Declaration
  • Day FOUR: Joint Conference of two networks considers draft of “DCAAD” Declaration and proposes / prioritises amendments; Conference closing Ceremony and Departure.

NOTE on Conference Format:

The Round Table Format for discussions:  To tease out the best ideas and strategies from every one present at this Conference, we are using the Round Table / World Café format.  This requires

  • Expert presentations (5 –7 minutes) – each of the 4-5 experts/speakers present their key ideas and priorities.
  • Round Tables – panellists join round tables of delegates and spend 20-minutes discussing responses to their ideas + listen to & challenge new ideas and strategies advanced by audience members.
  • Report Back – Panellists return to the Platform and report back key ideas they’ve learned from the delegates and summarise their concrete recommendations for what to include in the DCAAD (Development Cooperation and Aid assistance declaration).
  • Round Tables / in frame of panel discussion including representatives of many different cultural backgrounds that highlights the usefulness of creating a comparative perspective, being open to ideas from other point of views and finding common goals.;

Date and Place: 4-7th December 2025  at 10.00 am in Toila, Estonia (Toila Spa Hotell, Gala Hall)
Participants:  up to 120 participants (international participants and Estonian) including High guests from International institutions, Ministries, Embassies, Partners, Students, youth and community organisations, interested bodies and Local NGOs leaders, Networks and business representatives.
Conference official languages: English
Translation will be provided in French and Arabic. 

More information and key contacts: