Security and Civil Society Conference 2025

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

4nd-7th December 2025, in Toila Spa Hotell, Estonia

To explore the impact of development aid on European security and discuss scenarios how to achieve peace and security in regional conflicts through international cooperation.

OVERVIEW

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 3rd and 4th December 2025 in Tallinn.

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.

The conference is an opportunity to reaffirm the significance of the importance of the work of the European Union deveopment aid, 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 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.

At this conference, the DAD (Development Aid Declaration) will be finalised and approved, together with networking plans, which will be submitted to the European Commission, International Institutions, international and governmental organizations, media and various of thematic networks who is working on achievement of peace, security, democracy, rule of law and support of CSOs in Build Resilient Societies.

The conference is co-organised by a consortium of international partners from 10 countries.

The conference will be co-financed in amount of 30 000 EUR by the European Union Cohesion Policy Fund and others sponsors (the British Council, Estonian National Foundation of Civil Society, Nordic Council of Ministers office in Estonia) and Green Habito network members.

THE MAIN AIM

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.

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
guests.
The main topics will focus on:
1. Global challenges and their implications for Estonia and Europe
2. Development policy and 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

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.

Also the goal of the conference, with the support of renowned experts and speakers in the fields, is to try to adequately understand and decipher today’s exceptionally effective and large tangle of crises – to better understand the causes of its emergence and effects for society, which have already arisen and provide explanations for the tense situations that will predictably arise by increasing the awareness of civil society and cooperation with the state and private sectors. If necessary, objectively (condemn) and constructively criticize what is happening unfairly. At the same time, to pass on enough discouragement to encourage the people of Europe and Estonia and to calm the society, which would be expressed in straightforward messages that carry the security of the society and actions that protect peace. The aim of the conference is to explore possible solutions for stabilising European security, improving people’s cognitive security.

Additional objectives include:

To explore how to use digital technologies to promote and engage communities and individuals to help achieve resilient society targeting peace and human rights protections;
To identify how we could support development aid efforts in advancing peace, secutiry and decemocracy procecsses;
To share practical skills on how to utilise the existing international peace, green economy and digital instruments to improve security, energy and climate policies, sustainability of society and develop better tools for good governance and dialogue withing regions;
To support further development of Green Habito network and empowerment of stakeholders, government representatives and other relevant organisations to implement the outputs of the Internaational conference and contribute to dialogue and peace process in Europe;

At the end of the conference, a declaration of the conference will be prepared with proposals for a specific solution for the civil society sector on how to cope and promote their work during the crisis.

TARGET AUDIENCE

The international event is open to all interested individuals, representatives from public, private and civil society sectors whose work is connected directly or indirectly with politics, civil society, media, security questions, peace promotion and the UN SDG-s. We welcome youth organisations, educational institutions, finance industry leaders, academics, researchers, legislators, planners and policy specialists in all relevant areas, representatives from International institutions, intergovernmental organisations, governments, ministries or departments, international donors, national and regional human rights organisations. For international participants a total of 100 places are available.

For international participants a total of 100 places are available.

THE 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.

(Disciption of the detailed topics will be opened on the 18th of June 2025)

The Conference panel discussion in 2025 covering:

Panel I – The European development policy fosters sustainable development and stability in developing countries, with the ultimate goal of eradicating extreme poverty. Development assistance is one of the pillars of the EU’s external action, alongside foreign, security, and trade policies. In December 2021, the European Commission unveiled an ambitious Global Gateway investment programme for the period 2021-2027, through which the EU institutions, together with Member States, aim to develop digital technologies, green energy and clean transport networks, improve health and education systems, and promote research around the world, and in particular in developing countries Along with the EU, there are many other governmental institutions like Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the United Nations programs and of course USA government who are providing the biggest development aid assistance in the world. The development aid policy in 2025 has been impacted from recent changes in the global geopolitics as the USA government has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) and many rescue programs have been impacted. The Brutal Russian war in Ukraine has brought instability and chaos. Let’s discuss the needs, challenges and future expectations of the stakeholders and actors from the global perspective.

Panel II – The global crisis changed the economic order, deepening the challenges developing countries will face in the decades ahead. Joblessness is making it harder for families to improve their living standards. Growing energy needs are exacerbating the threat of climate change. Rapid population growth is overwhelming urban infrastructures. Water scarcity and inadequate food security are endangering the lives of millions. Such strains also heighten the potential for conflict, as existing geopolitical tensions between global powers had a big impact on the all aspects of our life.

Panel III – This panel discussion will offer for participants and development actors a framework to understand, track and cope with the fast-changing and increasingly complex global context for development in terms of multipolar divided world where global challenges are left unchecked. It looks back on the main drivers that have led us this far, and summarizes crucial challenges for actors in development. A world in which environmental challenges are addressed but at a large social cost. It looks back at what triggered the strong eco-oriented global development policy and summarizes what this has meant for the organisation of and challenges for development cooperation or a world in which a diversity of actors challenges the economic and political establishment and experiments with alternatives.

See the full programm here.

THE VENUE

The venue of the conference is Toila Spa Hotell conference Centre.

Toila SPA Hotel is situated on a high seashore, overlooking the Gulf of Finland, nearby the famous Toila-Oru park and surrounded by pine forests – the air in Toila is particularly invigorating. That’s why the area has long been a favourite getaway among the creative set from Estonia and Russia. Scientists from the University of Tartu named Toila an ‘air resort’ as early as the late 1800s.
Our nine-storey hotel accommodates up to 280 people.

To make Your vacation more enjoyable, there are many possibilities to spend Your free time: “Toila Termid” sauna complex – built in ancient Roman style, “Orhidee” sauna-paradise for adults, swimming pool, gym, aroma-relax room, clay studio, minigolf– and tennis courts, Toila skatepark, playworld for children.
Delicious food is served in a`la carte and buffet restaurants.

Toila Spa have set a goal to approach each event individually, to make sure that all of the work-related meetings, conferences and product presentations are successful. We offer each client the best possible solutions for using the rooms, accommodation, catering, and free time. By considering your special requests, we create a new quality standard together. Toila SPA Hotel offers a conference hall for up to 80 people, a banquet hall for up to 24 people, a seminar room Star for up to 30 people, and a meeting room Optimist for up to 12 people.

ACCOMMODATION

All the delegates are accommodated in Toila Spa Hotel. The conference fee consists of accommodation in shared rooms. Private rooms are available on request and additional fee.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The working language is English; French and Arabic translations will be provided.

EVENT TYPE

This Conference is designed as a hybrid event with most participants attending in person but organisers will provide possobility to join virtually for interested experts. Also we will encourage particiaption of CSO representatives from Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Africa, Euromed and Nordic-Baltic regions.

REGISTRATION

The delegates are invited to participate in Security and Civil Society Conference 2025 by submitting their applications.
Early bird participation fees is up to 15% dicsount from their participation fee
The early bird discount (use code: DEVSEC25) for in-person participation in the conference will be available until the end of October 31st 2025.

If your application has been accepted, we request each delegate to confirm the participation in 7 days by sending a letter to registration@sscw.ee or by phone +372 55602993.

More information, please write: Mr. Vassili Golikov – vassili@sscw.ee

NETWORKING

Please join the Conference Facebook group here