The Erasmus+ project gave young people the opportunity to organize their own esports event
At the end of February, the A. Le Coq Sport sports hall was filled with e-sports enthusiasts when the Game in Tartu 2026 festival dedicated to gaming culture took place. Over the course of two days, nearly 500 people from all over Estonia visited the event, 20 organizations introduced their activities, and more than 50 organizers and volunteers contributed to the success of the festival. As part of Game in Tartu 2026, visitors had the opportunity to try out games created by students […]
School Break City Camp – One Day, One Place, Lots of Fun!
We put together a varied program for every school break, but City Camp Day is the most special day of the entire break. On this day, Tartu’s youth gather at a single youth center. While all five centers are usually open, during City Camp, activities take place in just one location. This gives young people the chance to visit a place they might not otherwise get to on a daily basis. This is how new […]
Ilmatsalu youth's small dream
The older teens at Ilmatsalu have had a little dream for a long time: a pool table—after all, every youth center serving older teens has one. Until now, Ilmatsalu has only had a ping-pong table, which wasn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea. So, one day in January, the topic of a pool table for the Ilmatsalu Youth Center came up again among the youth workers. I had the idea to post “Trash for Treasure in Tartu” on Facebook […]
What is the greatest value of youth work for young people?
An international study, published in 2021 in the Journal of Social Policy, highlights young people's direct experiences in open youth work in six European countries, including Estonia. The study collected over 800 personal stories from young people, with Estonia's contribution being the largest. Young people were asked what changes had occurred in their lives thanks to their participation in youth work. A clear picture emerged from the answers: youth work does not [...]
"It's magical!" – memories from the Tartu Youth Festival 2026
I thought that the Youth Festival would be just another big performance for me as the host. That it would just be another role for me as a theater lover. But it was so much more than that... As soon as I had the opportunity to join the organizing team for the 2026 Youth Party, I didn't think twice and signed up. And then things moved very quickly – weekly [...]
Financial literacy – a necessary skill in everyday life
Financial literacy is a vitally important skill that helps young people make more informed choices and cope better in everyday life. This doesn't just mean saving money, but also the ability to plan, think ahead, and make well-considered decisions. The earlier young people are introduced to the basics of financial literacy, the more confident and independent they will be in their decisions in the future. In our youth center, we consciously focus on financial literacy [...]
A place where everyone finds their own pace
In the Ilmatsalu youth and community center, both urban and rural environments, with their distinct lifestyles, are intertwined in a special symbiosis. Significant changes are taking place in the Ilmatsalu area: the construction of new residential buildings will soon begin, bringing new people. However, there are also people who have lived here their entire lives and keep long-standing traditions alive. There are also those who have left in the meantime and now returned […]
Winter break with Tartu Youth Work Center February 23-27
At the end of February, it's time for school students to rest again, and as always, we give our young people the opportunity to spend their free time meaningfully. The school holiday begins on the evening of February 20th, with an outing for 12 young people to Narva, where they will visit the Narva Sea Scouts, joined by young people from Tallinn and Saku. Together, they will play various get-to-know-you and team games, they will do city orienteering and an evening walk […]
A digital youth worker helps reach young people who would otherwise not be reached
At the beginning of February, a digital youth worker started in the Tartu Youth Work Center team – this is a role that helps bring youth work to where young people spend a large part of their time: Discord, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitch. In these environments, young people can ask for information, get initial advice, and participate in online activities. There are many young people who never visit youth centers or are visible in the city, but […]
Initiative Project as Creative Work: Interview with Elaisa and Kamilla from NOA
Hello, girls! Who are you and where are you from? Which school and class are you in? Elaisa: I am Elaisa and I come from Tartu. Kamilla: I am Kamilla and I also come from Tartu. We both attend Tartu Kivilinna School, in class 8.A. Where did you get information about NOA (youth self-initiative project)? Kamilla: I was in the student council and I think I got about 2 years ago [...]