"Every Estonian is important to Estonia, regardless of whether they live in Estonia or abroad," Solman was quoted by spokespeople for the Ministry of Internal Affairs as saying. "In order to get to know our expat communities better and help them keep in touch with Estonia, so that they can actively have a say in making our lives better, we need to get to know them. The diversity and viability of expat Estonian communities shows that a small but strong Estonian language and culture are viable," she added.

The results of the survey are used as input in the development and improvement of various services and activities. Thus, the results of the survey are valuable to the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and  the Ministry of Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. As the study is related to the development of a broader diaspora policy in the preparation of a global Estonian program, research groups have the opportunity to develop a unique methodology.

"The global Estonian program is a new and important process for Estonian society, because for the first time the country is reaching out to Estonia's expat communities with a broad-based desire to cooperate," Solman said. "When collecting data and interviewing, it is necessary to reach as many Estonians and friends of Estonia living abroad as possible. To this end, the questionnaires will be distributed among all existing stakeholder groups and those brought together in the framework of the global Estonian program as well as their networks. As not all people living abroad are connected to the networks, we are turning to the entire Estonian population with a request to share the link of the questionnaire with their relatives living abroad – sons, daughters. After all, there are a lot of families in Estonia who have gone abroad to work, study or get married," she added.

The deadline for bids is August 3. The tender must be submitted through the public procurement register by fulfilling all the necessary conditions.

The period for preparing and conducting the survey is from September this year to November next year.

The survey is financed by the Estonian Research Council through the RITA program, with the Ministry of Culture helping to cover own financing as partner. The estimated cost of the study is €50,000.

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