Organisatsiooni

Organisatsiooni (organization) is a structured group formed to pursue shared goals. Organizations can be formal, with explicit rules, roles, and processes, or informal, developing through social ties without formal registration. They coordinate activities, allocate resources, and provide services, advocacy, or other collective outputs. The mission defines purpose, while the structure and rules guide how decisions are made and work is divided.

Governance and operations are central to formal organizations. A formal entity typically has a leadership body, such as a board or management team, and documented by-laws or statutes. Procedures for decision-making, budgeting, accountability, and reporting help ensure consistency and responsibility. Organizations may be standalone entities or networks of units and can take many forms, including non-profit, for-profit, governmental bodies, or international organizations.

Legal status and lifecycle are also defining features. In many jurisdictions, formal organizations acquire legal personality through registration, enabling them to contract, own property, and sue or be sued. They are accountable to stakeholders and subject to regulatory oversight and reporting requirements. The lifespan of an organization often includes formation, steady operation, evaluation or reform, and eventually dissolution or transformation.

Estonian context. In Estonia, organizations can be formed under various legal forms, including non-profit associations (mittetulundusühing, MTÜ), foundations (sihtasutus), and companies (osaühing, OÜ, and aktsiaselts, AS). Registration and governance rules are established by national law and relevant regulatory authorities.