“Let’s start a green-thumbed club!”
With the arrival of spring, there’s a growing desire to be outdoors and do something interesting—something that brings joy, excitement, and sparks curiosity. At the Lillekese Youth Center, we’ve found gardening to be the perfect activity for this. We started one Wednesday by weeding the flower bed in front of the Lille House gate. We divided up the tasks on the spot—one person weeds here, another there, the debris goes into the bucket, and […]
The Voice of Youth in the Action Plan
Actively involving young people in developing the youth center’s action plan is an important step in fostering their sense of participation and responsibility. Children aged 7–11 are able to successfully express their interests and ideas when provided with a safe and supportive environment. One effective way to do this is through a monthly brainstorming session, during which young people can freely suggest activities and topics. Young people’s opinions matter and have a real impact on the life of the youth center. In addition to the idea generator, it is important to gather ongoing feedback on daily activities to understand what resonates with young people and what needs to be changed. The youth worker’s role here is to guide: to help make ideas more concrete, then link them to an action plan, and involve partners as needed. Even with younger children, simple tools such as voting, drawing, or discussion circles can be used. In a young person’s life, everything changes very quickly: what they might have liked two weeks ago will soon be […]
Come work with us this summer – 0.5 FTE mobile youth worker
Mobile Youth Worker (0.5 FTE) For the period June 1 – August 31 Job responsibilities: establishing contact and communicating with young people on the street and in other public places; carrying out youth work activities in the mobile youth work bus; introducing opportunities to young people and supporting them in finding suitable activities; assisting youth workers in the youth center as needed. Requirements for the candidate: higher education (may be in progress); good communication, planning, and negotiation skills; willingness to establish contact […]
Students from Annelinna High School visited the Lille Youth Center
The Lille Youth Center, part of the Tartu Youth Work Center, offers young people a wide range of opportunities for participation and personal development. Schools can come to us to hold project days or encourage students to join our clubs. The clubs active at the Lille Youth Center include the Hiking Club, Cooking Club, Book Club, Career Club, and the sex education club “Seks vä?”. In addition, we organize city-wide major events, where we welcome young people to actively participate in the organizing teams. We offer various educational workshops to schools. […]
Creativity is on the rise in the Youth Capital: Loomehüpe is returning for the third time this year
Tartu, European Youth Capital 2026, invites young people aged 14–26 to apply for the Creative Leap project, which aims to support young people’s creative potential and personal development. Eligible applicants are young people who are registered residents of Tartu and wish to develop their strengths and discover their creative potential through summer projects. Loomehüpe supports projects in the natural and exact sciences, music, art, dance, performing arts, language, literature, technology, or other general culture (excluding sports) […]
Let’s celebrate the Tartu Youth Work Center’s eighth anniversary together!
The Tartu Youth Work Center will turn eight on May 2, 2026. We will celebrate the birthday together with the youth on Tuesday, May 5. The center’s director, development manager, project manager, administrative manager, executive assistant, and information specialist will visit the youth centers. Together, we’ll eat cake, play games, and do Kahoot! At Lilles and Lillekes from 3:00–3:45 p.m., at Ilmatsalu from 4:00–4:45 p.m., and at Annes and Annekes from 5:15–6:00 p.m.—come celebrate with us!
The Tartu Work Brigade is opening its anniversary exhibition today at the Tartu City Museum!
Today, April 17 at 4 p.m., the Tartu Youth Work Brigade’s 30th anniversary exhibition will open in the courtyard of the Tartu City Museum, bringing together brigade members from different generations and telling the story of how young people’s work habits have evolved over three decades. For many young people aged 13–19, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first encounter with working life. Over the course of thirty years, thousands of young people from Tartu have participated in the brigade, for whom it has been […]
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion — Our German Learning Mobility Program
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in youth work mean creating a safe and supportive environment where differences are not only acknowledged but also genuinely valued and encouraged. This means ensuring equal access, active participation, and a sense of belonging for all young people. This approach goes beyond merely taking into account differences in origin, gender, abilities, or orientation; it is aimed at removing barriers, expanding opportunities for smaller and minority groups, and ensuring their full inclusion in all activities. It was precisely inclusion in its broadest sense that […]
For Your Information: Sleep as a Superpower
With the arrival of spring—accompanied by birdsong and the awakening of nature—comes a period that is stressful and hectic for so many young people and adults alike. Whether it’s graduation, the final stages of various projects, or simply the restlessness that comes with anticipation of summer. During this time, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain your routines, one of the most important of which is maintaining a healthy sleep routine. Night owl or early bird? Of course […]
Connected internationally! A week in Latvia—fun, interesting, and memorable!
Eight young people from the Tartu Youth Work Center had the amazing opportunity to take part in the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange in Latvia, which focused on digital tools, environmental development, design, and storytelling. Over 40 young people from Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Italy, and Hungary took part in the youth exchange. On March 7, we set off with the group from Tartu train station toward Valmiera to join the “Toolbox for […]