An opportunity for young people aged 14–26 in Tartu to develop their strengths and discover their creative potential through summer projects.
Subject areas: music, dance, art, performing arts, language, literature, natural sciences, exact sciences, technology, robotics, other general culture (sports are excluded)
For young people registered as residents of Tartu who wish to further their personal development.
Up to 15 projects will be funded in an amount equal to the current minimum monthly wage in Estonia.
An opportunity for young people to develop their strengths, discover their creative potential, and put it into practice.
Loomehüpe was created to support young people aged 14–26 living in Tartu who wish to develop their skills and present projects in the fields of natural and exact sciences, music, art, dance, performing arts, language, literature, technology, or other areas of general culture (excluding sports).
The goal of the project is to give young people the opportunity to develop their strengths, discover their creative potential, and put it into practice.
The application period was open from April 27and May 26, 2026.
The 6-week internship took place from June 15 to July 26, 2026.
The amount of the creative arts grant was the minimum monthly wage set by the Government of the Republic (€946 net).
Payment was made after the internship was completed and the work was finished (within 2 weeks).
Fifteen scholarships were funded. The prerequisite for receiving a scholarship was:
Internship Content
Article from Tartu Postimees “Loomehüpe Helps Tartu’s Youth Bring Their Ideas to Life”July 13, 2026
Tartu City Government Press Release “Youth Capital 2026 and Loomehüpe Bring an Active Creative Summer to Tartu’s Youth”June 10, 2026
Tartu City Government Press Release “Tartu Invites Young People to Apply for the Creative Leap Scholarship”April 29, 2026
Press Release from the Tartu Youth Work Center “Create Your Own Summer Art and Spend the Best Summer Ever with Rapper Säm” May 9, 2025
The 2026 Creative Leap lasted a total of six weeks and took place from June 15 to July 26, 2026.
Each week, there was one group meeting and individual counseling sessions, which helped participants achieve the project’s goals (staying on schedule, reviewing weekly action plans, clarifying goals, creating a learning environment, providing support, offering information, collaborative planning, providing feedback, etc.).
In 2026, the mentors for "Loomehüpe" were staff members of the Tartu Youth Work Center.
Project – Development of a Management Tool for a Cybersecurity Attack-and-Defense Competition
This project developed a web-based tool for cybersecurity teams participating in offensive-defensive competitions. The tool’s purpose is to consolidate information critical during the competition into a single, clear, real-time view: attack notifications, service status, team members’ areas of responsibility, and observers’ notes.
In offensive security competitions, information is often scattered across multiple platforms: logs, chat channels, monitoring systems, notes, and service tables are all stored separately. This makes the team’s work extremely slow and confusing, especially in situations where decisions must be made quickly. Teams from larger countries have developed their own internal solutions, but there is currently no public or user-friendly tool suitable for Estonian youth and schools.
The prototype currently under development will help the team leader, players, and monitors see what is happening at any given moment, which services are under attack or down, and who on the team is responsible for what. The tool will enable better coordination, faster response times, and a clearer overview throughout the competition.
Project Author: Markus Erkmann
Project – Creating a Fashion Collection from Old Jeans
The initial concept of the creative project was to design and sew garments from old jeans and other recycled materials, which, where possible, would also form a cohesive fashion collection. The design practices employed emphasized recycling and zero waste. Textile waste was given a new lease on life, and efforts were made to incorporate all scraps generated during the work process back into the creator’s work. Some of the finished products will be sold on the Yaga platform to gain a little business experience for the future.
Project Author: Lille Riin Kask
Project – Creating a Photography Exhibition on the Theme of Birds
The goal was to create an exhibition of self-taken photos of some of the birds living in Estonia. The plan was to photograph at least 20 different birds in their natural habitats. The photo exhibition was scheduled to be on display at various cultural institutions (e.g., libraries, community centers) according to a pre-agreed schedule from the summer of 2026 through the summer of 2027. The first stage of the exhibition creation process involved shadowing a nature photographer, with support from the renowned ornithologist Leho Luigujõe. Additionally, the goal was to further develop software skills for digital photo editing and to promote oneself as a photographer.
Project Author: Uku Mardiste
Project – Development of a 3D-printed, solar-powered, self-watering flower pot
As part of the project, a 3D-printed, energy-efficient flowerpot was developed that is self-sustaining, at least during the Estonian spring and summer. Power comes from a solar panel attached to the pot, and excess energy is stored in a battery for future use. The battery can be charged via USB during periods of darkness. Inside the pot is a water reservoir from which a pump uses a hose to deliver water to the plant. The system receives data from a moisture sensor in the pot and notifies the processor when the plant’s soil is too dry. Additionally, the water reservoir could include a water level sensor that alerts the user when the reservoir is empty. The flower pot must allow the user, via a Bluetooth connection, to view the readings from the moisture sensor and water level sensor, adjust the thresholds that trigger watering as needed, and turn the pump on or off.
The greatest value of this project was the message it conveys: engineering can be creative, practical, environmentally friendly, and directly improve people’s daily lives.
In addition to the above, there was also the potential to inspire young women who are considering studying technology or engineering.
Project Author: Eliisabet Judin
Project – Creating an interactive installation and seating area in Tartu’s Ülejõe Park
Let’s imagine it’s a wonderful summer day—the sun is shining, life is good, and you’d like to sit somewhere with friends, but you don’t want to waste money going to a café. But as you walk through downtown Tartu, you notice some tables and chairs, and it feels as if your prayers have been answered. And these aren’t just ordinary chairs and tables—they’re decorated with mosaics created by Tartu’s own young people, and they’re chairs and tables that tell their own stories.
That's my little dream of a summer idyll in Tartu.
Project Author: Aurora Mikk
Project – Creating a Music Video for a Song I Wrote Myself
As part of the creative project, a music video was produced for a song the artist has been working on for two years. The song is particularly important to him because it addresses painful issues in society. The song’s message is “no young person is alone.” The goal was to tell a story about family conflicts that are kept hidden from the public and to show how this affects children and young people.
Project Author: Sandra-Merys Tasa
Project – the creation of a dance film that combines nature, the dancers’ unique movements, and friendship, and captures the joy of summer dancing in the natural surroundings of Tartu County
As part of the project, a dance film was produced, shot over the summer in various natural locations throughout Tartu County. The film featured dancers whose movements and improvisations, combined with the music and the natural surroundings, create a cohesive whole. The film focused on young people’s sense of freedom, collaboration, and the support of friends. The film reflects on how important it is to cherish your friends and loved ones, and how these people are always there for you. The film showcases the beautiful and nature-rich places of Tartu County and aims to inspire people to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the summer with their loved ones.
Project Author: Hanna Talving
Project – Building an Open-Top Light Off-Road Vehicle (“Bagi”)
Project Author: Taniel Tamm
Project – Creating Three Songs for the Mini-Album "SussaVussa"
The goal of the EP was to bring emotionally profound Estonian-language rock music back to the Estonian music scene; you can learn more about it in the attached file titled “Introduction to Maaria’s EP ‘SussaVussa’.”
Project Author: Maaria Õun
Project – Role-Playing Game
The main goal of the game is to develop young people’s creativity, communication skills, adaptability, and self-expression. The game encourages participants to step outside their usual behavioral patterns by placing them in different roles, time periods, and situations. This helps young people socialize more effectively with both new and existing groups of friends and broadens their understanding of how people think and behave in different eras and environments. In addition, the game develops their attentiveness and ability to react quickly to changing situations.
Project Author: Harli Oliver Vaher
Project – Creating a classical-style musical composition, or soundscape, for an audiovisual performance or as a standalone work
The piece is in a fantasy style, composed for multiple instruments (and voices) and consisting of various melodies and their variations. The piece employs minimalist techniques, yet at the same time conveys a sense of “oceanic undulation” and progresses into powerful yet delicate passages inspired by Impressionist composers.
Project Author: Helari Tehver
Project –Creation ofthe solo exhibition“Silence Afterthe Storm”
Format: Mixed media (oil paintings, acrylic paintings, photography, drawing, and contemporary sculpture)
Theme: The central theme of the exhibition is the psychological and emotional state of limbo that follows a period of major life changes (such as changing schools, graduating from college, or being laid off from a job). It is a moment when the turbulent phase that preceded it has passed, but the future lies entirely ahead and remains unknown.
The aim of the exhibition is to convey to the viewer this specific sense of limbo, where a person is no longer in their old place but has not yet reached a new one. This silence is not necessarily peaceful; rather, it carries within it a sense of anticipation, confusion, and the unknown.
Project Author: Juliana Klement
Project – Creating Your Own Comic Book
The comic was created as part of the author’s research and practical project. The author had also created a comic book in middle school, but now wanted to make a new and better one, as he has developed as an artist in the meantime.
The comic has a slightly surreal/dystopian theme. The main character is the Moon, who lives on the Moon and loves crossword puzzles more than anything. When he runs out of crossword puzzles, he has to come down to Earth, but finds that Earth is no longer the way he remembered it. On Earth, Kuu loses his only friend, Tähe, in a crowd, and realizes for the first time in his life what that friend meant to him.
Project Author: Piibe Jagomägi
Project – Writing the manuscript for a debut poetry collection
The goal of the creative project was to write the manuscript for a debut poetry collection. The author is a poet and will complete her master’s degree in classical philology this spring. Her first poetry collection draws inspiration from the myths and archaeological findings associated with Mount Lykaion, located in Arcadia on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. Specifically, in 2016, human remains with a partially intact skull were discovered there in a massive ash altar dedicated to Zeus Lykaion (among the remains of numerous sacrificial animals), dating to approximately the 11th century BCE. Plato and Pausanias had already spoken of the human sacrifice rituals associated with Mount Lykaion, which were closely linked to the myth of cannibalism and the transformation into a werewolf. In his (Estonian-language) poetry collection, the author writes from the perspective of the sacrificed youth, imaginatively depicting the possible events that led to his death and the discovery of his remains in the present day.
Project Author: Hanna Stiina Kangur
Project – Research on the Risks Posed by the Development of Quantum Computers to Modern Data Protection and Their Impact on the Future
The author sought to write a research paper on the potential impact of quantum computers on modern data protection, particularly on cryptographic systems and the long-term security of data.
The study focuses on the “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” (HNDL) attack model, in which encrypted data is collected and stored with the aim of decrypting it in the future, once sufficient computational power becomes available. The research analyzes in which areas this risk may be most significant and how it affects data security planning in the long term.
Project Author: Adeele Mikelsaar
Creative Leap 2025 lasted a total of six weeks and took place between July 21 and September 1. Each week included one group meeting and individual consultations, which helped achieve the project's goals (staying on schedule, reviewing weekly action plans, clarifying objectives, creating a learning environment, providing support and information, collaborative planning, feedback, etc.).
The Creative Leap mentor for the summer of 2025 was Sam Schmidt (SÄM).
Project – Illustrated prose work “City Full of Emptiness”
The aim of the project is to print and publish a unique illustrated prose work titled “City Full of Emptiness,” which addresses profound philosophical themes and represents the experiences of young people and LGBT+ members.
Project author Heliise Doris Teekivi
Project – Short film
A short film that tells a couple of stories, conveys a youthful feeling, and creates hope through unique characters and sweet dialogue. Film synopsis: A group of young people spend four days in a cottage in a small village during the last month of their summer vacation. Away from the city noise, they listen more to themselves and others, and talk about the worries that are truly on their minds.
With the completed film, it is also planned to apply to film festivals.
Project author Aleksander Erik
Project – Children's book
The aim of the project is to create a short children's book, 5-7 chapters long, to develop text creation skills and creativity. It also aims to encourage stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Project author Brittany Otti
Project – Song creation
The aim of the project is to create a complete original story and develop oneself as a songwriter and creator. It also aims to collaborate and build connections with people working in the music industry.
Project author Stella Seim
Project – Building a CNC milling machine
The aim of the project is to build a CNC milling machine for milling wood. It should be at least a three-axis milling machine with a cutting surface area of at least 25x25cm.
Project author Mart Väljamäe
In the summer of 2024, a creative summer internship format was piloted for the first time, targeting young people aged 16-26 who wished to develop themselves and create projects in various fields of hobby education over six weeks. The scholarship recipients began their meetings in the last week of June, and with the help of mentor Sam Schmidt, they focused on project development over the following six weeks.
Stella Seim, Sandra-Merys Tasa, Paul Piirimäe, Aleksander Erik, Liisa Nurme, Alice, Mart Väljamäe, Aurora Mikk, Hedi Lii Riives, Anneli Metsoja participated in the summer internship.
Project author Stella Seim
Project author Mart Väljamäe
Project author Anneli Metsoja
Producer and songwriter Alice, mix and mastering by Jass Johannes Leis
Project author Hedi-Lii Riives
Contact us and start your volunteering journey at Tartu Noorsootöö Keskus!
Helen Toomsalu (project manager)
helen.toomsalu@tartu.ee
+372 5399 8333