Federation of Estonian Student Unions
The Federation of Estonian Student Unions is a federation of Estonian student unions. It was founded on 23 November 1991, shortly after Estonia regained independence. EÜL as umbrella organization currently represents over 95% of Estonian students.
EÜL works closely together with Riigikogu, the government, different ministries, higher education institutions and other partners. EÜL is also a leading NGO in Estonia and sometimes also represents students in schools, youth in general or just NGOs in different committees. EÜL is recognised as a partner by the Ministry of Education and Research. EÜL is a member of European Students' Union.
Structure
EÜL’s main decision body is the EÜL Board where all member student bodies are represented. Membership of EÜL is voluntary for a student body but all Estonian students are automatically members of their higher education institution student body. There are no membership fees for the students for belonging to student unions or student bodies. EÜL also has a council of 9 members, who is elected by the board every 2 years.The Board decides main future plans and policies, adopts the plan of work, is in charge of the budget and elects the Executive Committee and other committees. The 40-45 member Board is elected by the local unions, all students of all members are eligible to be elected as member of the council or the board. Each member of EÜL shall have 1 member and additional 1-member on EÜL Board for every 2000 students. The Board assembles regularly 5 to 6 times per year.
The Executive Committee currently consists of 2 people with a 2-year mandate – the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson.
Since 2000 EÜL ECs have usually had a mandate of one year. From 2006 to 2007 was a transition period in which the start of the mandate was pushed from January to July to be more compatible with local unions democratic cycle thus the mandate for Executive Committees was longer than 12 months.
In February 2009 the Board decided change the mandate of the EC to two full years beginning from 1 July 2009. Concurrently with that, the EC will consist of only the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. This is aimed at more professional leadership in EÜL. The Executive Committee is heading EÜL secretariat and EÜL foundations which consists of 12 to 20 employees and project managers working in the EÜL office.
Other structures in EÜL are the advisory board which advises the EC on strategical decisions and on extraordinary financial issues, and the Internal Audit Committee which supervises the EC and makes sure that EÜL governance is complying with the law and the decisions of the Board.
| 1991–1992 | Sulev Alajõe, Agu Vahur, Kaarel Tarand |
| 1992–1994 | Katrin Unt, Indrek Ild, Imre Sams, Indrek Ostrat |
| 1995–1996 | Meelis Kitsing, Arne Otter, Martti Kalda |
| 1996–1997 | Lauri Kööp, Lembit Uibo, Peeter Suislepp, Mare Tralla, Mart Rekkaro |
| 1997–1998 | Peeter Suislepp, Lauri Kööp, Raul Järg, Leif Kalev |
| 1998–1999 | Riina Tamm, Leif Kalev, Raul Järg, Ivar Liivamägi, Riho Unt, Illimar Mattus |
| 2000 | Leif Kalev, Riho Unt, Rain Veetõusme, Tarvo Sarmet, Herman Kalmus |
| 2001 | Birgit Lao, Herman Kalmus, Leif Kalev, Arne Otter, Alari Vainomees, Ardi Ravalepik |
| 2002 | Ando Heilmann, Piret Hartman, Antti Andreimann |
| 2003 | Piret Hartman, Madis Masing, Reigo Kimmel, Kerli Albin, Kairi Saar |
| 2004 | Madis Masing, Allan Selirand, Lauri Paeveer |
| 2005 | Allan Selirand, Eveli Soode, Lauri Paeveer |
| 2006–2007 | Heiki Lemba, Ivar Veskioja, Marja-Liisa Alop |
| 2007–2008 | Eimar Veldre, Annika Kruuse, Catlyn Kirna, Maris Mälzer |
| 2008–2009 | Joonas Pärenson, Allan Päll, Grete Mägi, Olga Tšerjomuškina |
| 2009–2011 | Maris Mälzer, Eimar Veldre |
| 2011–2013 | Eimar Veldre, Monika Maljukov, Jonne Viinamägi |
| 2013–2015 | Sigrid Västra, Johann Peetre, Silver Ool |
| 2015–2017 | Jaanus Müür, Katrina Koppel |
| 2017–2019 | Britt Järvet, Tambet Anja/ Joonatan Nõgisto |