Ukrainian Youth in Tartu: A Week That Left a Lasting Impression
In early June, from June 8–14, the Tartu Youth Work Center had the extraordinary honor and pleasure of hosting young people from Ukraine—young people whose lives have been completely turned upside down by the war. The camp was made possible thanks to financial support from the City of Tartu, and the Tartu Youth Work Center wholeheartedly took on the task of organizing the program. The week began creatively—in a stencilling workshop, the young people got to experiment with how colors and stencils […]
A Children's Day bursting with joy and youthful energy!
The theme of this year’s Child Protection Day was the question: “A young person speaks—are you listening?” The need to be seen, heard, and truly listened to became clear right from the first preparatory meeting, where young volunteers shared the issues they consider important in the daily lives of children and youth. Almost without exception, all participants highlighted today’s fast-paced lifestyle—home, school, friends, relationships, and the digital world […]
A mobile youth center will be on the move in Tartu this summer
From June 1 to September 1, the Tartu Youth Work Center is launching the MoNo bus—a mobile youth center—as part of a pilot project, bringing youth services directly to young people at their everyday gathering spots. It is a specially adapted van designed to provide young people with a safe and supportive environment in areas where youth work services are currently unavailable or where young people cannot easily access them on a daily basis. The MoNo bus will travel to various locations in Tartu […]
Youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center on a study trip to Portugal
From April 19–26, youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center participated in a study trip to Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Erasmus+ program, to learn about local street youth work methods, non-formal education, and ways to support young people in the NEET situation. Study trips give youth workers the opportunity to step outside their usual work environment for a moment, familiarize themselves with different practices, and bring the knowledge and effective solutions they gain back to their own community (Pavlakias and Comas, 2025). Such experiences help […]
Tartu Youth Work Center Study Tour Seminar: Bringing Together Knowledge from Around the World
This spring, the staff of the Tartu Youth Work Center took part in two study trips: one to Cologne, Germany, and the other to Lisbon, Portugal. On June 3, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we will gather in the NOKK room on the second floor of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu) for an information seminar on this year’s study trips. We invite all youth workers, activity leaders, and interested city residents from Tartu, Tartu County, and beyond to our information seminar to share with you all […]
“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) […]