Evaluating Estonian E-residency as a tool of soft power

Estonia, a country well known for its digital savviness, introduced e-residency in 2014. The initiative, which allows foreign nationals to access the public and private services of Estonia with the use of a digital ID, is a positive example of how small states can build soft power. I argue that e-residency has attracted freelancers and entrepreneurs from around the world to state-projected values and beliefs, creating a network of individuals that admire and identify with Estonia. I also discuss how the concept and implementation of e-residency can undermine or boost a country's influence.