The 2026 cultural budget will bring a salary increase for cultural workers, coaches and collective leaders of the Song and Dance Festival. Additional funding will also be allocated to Team Estonia and major international events.
"Culture is the basis of our existence, and the knowledge and spiritual values passed on through culture help us to remain a viable and alert people even in difficult times. Without people who contribute to culture on a daily basis, it will not survive – that is why it is our common responsibility to preserve them," said Minister Heidy Purga at the government's press conference.
"For me, raising both the minimum wage and the salary fund of cultural workers has been important in these negotiations. In order for the heads of institutions to have greater decision-making power and more free hands, not only the minimum wage of cultural workers with higher education will increase, but also the salary fund, which will provide an opportunity to pay those who need it the most," Purga added.
The salary increase of the employees of cultural and sports institutions who receive a salary from the state and the increase in the volume of the support measure for covering the labour costs of coaches is 9 million euros. In 2026, the salary fund of cultural and sports institutions in the area of administration of the ministry will increase by 7.5 million, which will allow to increase the minimum wage of cultural workers by 7.5%, i.e. by 120 euros - from 1600 euros to 1720 euros. In addition, the heads of institutions can use an average of 7% additional salary money to increase the salaries of other employees, including support staff. Depending on the field, the additional 7% as a whole is distributed differently between institutions.
The national salary fund for the labour costs of coaches will increase by 1 million euro, i.e. to 12.76 million euro, which will raise the minimum wage of coaches to 1520 euro. In the case of the salary measure for coaches, the state guarantees up to 50% and the other half is found by the employer. The state wage subsidy will reach 1,500 coaches from more than 440 organisations, under whose guidance more than 47,000 young people will train.
The rest of the additional funds will be divided between the employees of county libraries, the collective leaders involved in the Song and Dance Celebration process, and the writers' and artists' salaries.
Team Estonia's support was last increased by 0.5 million euros in 2023. Next year, Team Estonia's budget will increase from the current 7.7 million euros to 9.7 million euros. The additional funding will be divided between athletes, national teams and support services to ensure that our top athletes receive the support they need to stay in international competition and rise to the podium. The decision has a long-term impact, affecting both today's top athletes and young people who are just starting their sports careers.
"Every sports and cultural event helps to make Estonia bigger in the world. Our country's advantage is strong and professional organisers who have already proven themselves internationally and have shown a very good side," said Purga.
In 2026, the measure to support international cultural and sports events will increase by €2 million, amounting to €4 million. Since 2018, the measure has supported events with a total of 10.1 million euros, which has brought back 13.3 million euros to the Estonian state as VAT from foreign visitors and participants. The measure will allow Estonia to host more major events that will benefit both the economy and society at large, increasing our visibility in the world. International events help to strengthen Estonia's position as a reliable organising country.