Here you will find an overview of previously held youth-initiated projects and information on how to apply for a project yourself!
The aim of youth initiative projects is to support the implementation of young people's ideas so that they become entrepreneurial and active members of society, to motivate young people to notice and solve bottlenecks in the city of Tartu and the community, and to give young people their first experience in project writing and management.
During the project's implementation, young people are assisted by a youth worker.
Projects initiated by young people active in Tartu
For events aimed at the community or young people
Support for implementing youth ideas
Applying for Initiative Project support is easy
Submit a 1-2 minute video that reflects the idea of the grassroots project and introduces the team.
The video will be posted on the Tartu Youth Work Centre's Facebook page and must collect 50 positive reactions (like, heart, etc.).
Describe in the application form published on the Tartu Youth Work Center website:
⚠️To apply for support for a youth-initiated project, the application must be submitted at least 1 month before the start of the project.
Event date and time:
Nov. 13–14, 26
Event overview:
The goal of the Tartu Student Councils’ Night School: “Do Students Have a Voice?” is to develop the knowledge and skills of student representatives in Tartu in the area of advocacy, so that they can better represent students’ interests in their schools and play a more active role in school life. Across Estonia, a major problem is the lack of student involvement in decision-making processes, and the activities of student councils are often limited to organizing events. The level of advocacy by student councils
is low or completely absent. Young people lack the necessary knowledge and do not know how to represent students’ opinions or make their voices heard.
The main goal of the project is to address a problem that students face on a daily basis. Implementing this project is necessary to ensure that young people in Tartu are aware of how to effectively represent their interests.
We believe that by organizing this project, we will see positive changes in the future activities of Tartu’s student councils.
The Tartu Student Councils’ Night School: “Do Students Have a Voice?” is a free two-day event during which student representatives can develop and gain knowledge about the implementation of school democracy and the protection of students’ interests in schools. The event features educational workshops and training sessions led by representatives and experts from various organizations. Through these sessions, students will learn how to better represent student interests and ensure that young people’s voices are heard in school life.
Read the City of Tartu’s press release: "Do students have a voice? As part of Tartu Youth Capital, a night school will be held to amplify students' voices"
Facebook Event: Tartu Student Councils’ Night School: Do Students Have a Voice?
The event was part of the "Tartu: Capital of Youth" series of events.
Event date and time:
May 16, 2026, through October 25, 2026
Event overview:
The goal of the project was to stage the musical "Ride the Cyclone" and offer a high-quality, memorable theatrical experience to a wider audience. We also wanted to support young people interested in theater by giving them the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills on stage and to provide them witha suitable outlet for artisticself-
.
To carry out the project, it was necessary to acquire the performance rights for the musical and rent a suitable venue where the performances could take place. The main goal of this youth-led initiative was to cover the costs of acquiring the performance rights,
, which constitute a significant portion of the project’s budget.
As part of a student-led project, the group sought to stage the musical “Ride the Cyclone.” To this end, the performance rights were acquired and an Estonian translation was completed.
The musical was translated into Estonian by professional translator Pirjo Jonas. A production team was then assembled, and
a casting call was held, during which suitable performers were selected from among the young actors.
Preparations for the production included a rehearsal period focused on acting, singing, and movement. Rehearsals took place regularly, and a cohesive production took shape during this time. At the same time, the set design, costumes, and lighting and
sound solutions were also prepared. Enthusiastic young people were brought in to carry out these tasks.
In the final phase of the process, technical rehearsals and run-throughs were held to ensure that all elements of the production worked together.
At the same time, marketing and ticket sales were underway.
As a result of the project, a production was created that was performed at least four times.
The event was part of the "Tartu: Capital of Youth" series of events.
Event date and time:
12.09.2026
Event overview:
The goal of the project was to offer young people in Tartu (ages 13–19) the opportunity to learn about various career options and educational paths through direct interaction with inspiring speakers.
The event helped young people understand that career paths are not always linear and that everyone can find a path that suits them. In addition, the goal was to raise young people’s awareness of educational and employment opportunities and encourage them to make more informed decisions about their future. The project supported the growth of young people’s self-confidence, the development of their communication skills, and their active participation in discussions.
The event was part of the "Tartu: Capital of Youth" series of events.
Event date and time:
24.04.2026
Event overview:
The main goal of the project was to organize a memorable and exciting eventfor the entire Hugo Treffner
high school community to kick off the second semester of the school year. The second goal was to gain experience in organizing a large-scale event, time management, and communication (e.g., with sponsors). And the third goal
was to continue the tradition of the Playback Show.
Event date and time:
02.05.2026
Event overview:
The "What's Next?" festival was an inspiring and practical creative event aimed at supporting young people in making choices about their future.
"Many young people feel uncertain about their future educational paths and career choices, and since schools tend to emphasize the sciences, our event provided an opportunity to explore various creative fields
," the young people explained. The festival offered young people the chance to explore creative fields, gain hands-on experience, and meet industry experts who shared their journeys and practical knowledge.
The "What's Next?" festival program consisted of inspirational talks and various workshops. The evening program also featured a party with various youth bands and young solo artists.
Check out more about the event on their Instagram page: @mis.edasi_fest
Event date and time:
20.06.2026
Event overview:
Dräg Folgi was a unique event held in Tartu, aimed at bringing together drag culture and folk traditions and creating a safe and inspiring space for self-expression for young people aged 16 to 19.
The young people wanted to popularize drag in Estonia and show that the seemingly opposing worlds of modern drag culture and traditional folk art and dance actually go very well together. The youth team was international, and they also helped organize a related event in Liepāja, while the team there assisted our local youth. Through this, they gained broader experience in international communication and were able to forge connections between Estonian and Latvian performers.
The event featured workshops on dance and character creation. It was part of a series of events organized by House of Kuko, the first installment of which took place in collaboration with the event on the same day. The day began with a workshop on the history of drag organized by House
of Kuko, followed by a collaborative session on character creation. This was followed by folk and vogue dance workshops, after which the stage was taken over by various performers, offering the opportunity to enjoy drag performances(by Estonian and Latvian performers), folk dancing, and choral singing.
Event date and time:
August 24, 2026, through August 29, 2026
Event overview:
The goal of the project was to create a safe and supportive environment for young people from Estonia and Ukraine, where they could spend time together actively, learn the basics of self-defense, develop teamwork and communication skills, and become familiar with various Christian traditions in a respectful and open atmosphere
.
The camp combined sports activities, character education, and intercultural exchange. The project’s goal was not to impose any beliefs on anyone or to encourage young people to join any particular denomination.
The young people wanted to introduce Christian values—such as respect, compassion, honesty, a sense of responsibility, and love for one’s neighbor—and show how these values can support young people in their daily lives.
One key goal was to bring together young people from Estonia and Ukraine so they could get to know each other better, form new friendships, and interact in everyday situations. This environment gave the Ukrainian youth the opportunity to practice Estonian in natural conversations
with their peers and boosted their confidence in using the language. At the same time, the Estonian youth also learned to better understand people from different cultural backgrounds.
In addition, the goal was to boost young people’s self-confidence, teach them practical self-defense skills, and offer them the opportunity to spend their summer break in a meaningful, active, and safe environment.
"We want the young people to leave the camp with new knowledge, positive experiences, and greater self-confidence, and to feel that, regardless of language, culture, or religious background, it is possible to understand, respect, and work together!" the young people explained.
Event date and time:
May 25, 2026 through June 5, 2026
Event overview:
Event date and time:
May 28, 2026, through June 2, 2026
Event overview:
The goal of the project was to offer students in grades 7–9 at Tartu Jogentaga School a fun and memorable experience through a themed youth dance that took them back in time to the 1920s.
At the event, participants learned about history, explored fashion, and took part in various creative activities. Together, they developed their creativity, self-expression, and teamwork skills.
The young organizers also placed great emphasis on the learning process that took place throughout their organizational activities.
The project helped young people learn through non-formal means, gaining new knowledge through fun and practical activities and experiences—ranging from an introduction to history to the development of collaboration skills, hands-on activities, and project implementation.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Tartu City Museum.
Event date and time:
23.02.2026
Event overview:
Noor wanted to organize an SSBM tournament in Tartu and had always wanted to organize something more than just casual game nights. The project helped him learn how to organize tournaments independently and solve the problems that arose in the process, as well as how to use the website start.gg, take responsibility for keeping people and players informed, and maintain the reputation of both the city of Tartu and himself. He had the opportunity to learn how to prioritize tasks related to events.
The tournament was held in a 1-on-1 league format. The games were played on Wii consoles and CRT televisions.
Event date and time:
16.01.2025
Event overview:
On January 16, 2025, an inspiring and joyful talent show "Talented Peetris 2025" took place at Tartu Lutheran Peetri School, where primary school and home-schooled students performed. The event offered young people the opportunity to develop their performance skills, share their talents, and strengthen the sense of community within the school.
The stage featured diverse and creative performances – from singing and dancing to an impressive memory act and a comedy routine. The jury's favorite was Tristan, a 6th-grade student who recited 200 decimal places of pi from memory, and the audience's hearts were won by the energetic dance routine of 9th-grade students Ingeli, Adeele, Rao, Joonatan, and Hans.
Many thanks to everyone who helped organize the event – especially to the diligent team of the student council, to Tartu Youth Work Center for their support and guidance in project writing, and to parent Nele Tammeaid, who documented the event!
Event date and time:
January 31, 2025 – February 1, 2025
Event overview:
From January 31 to February 1 the Tartu basic schools' student councils' overnight school took place, bringing together 75 young people and 12 youth leaders from 14 different schools. This two-day youth initiative project offered participants a wealth of new knowledge, opportunities for self-expression, and memorable experiences.
The evening began with ice-breaker games and a financial literacy workshop led by Hanna Nõmm, also known as Miljonineiu. Young people received valuable advice on how to earn money alongside school, save, and start investing. During the workshop, a dream and ideas worksheet was completed, which helped direct thoughts towards future plans and financial awareness.
This was followed by elective workshops, where participants could bake cookies, make soap, take part in a French language crash course, or play sports ball games. The highlight of the evening was the anticipated Playback show, featuring 13 brilliant performances. The jury evaluated the performances based on several criteria, and the awards were distributed as follows:
🥇 1st place: Emajõe School
🥈 2nd place: TäheTERA
🥉 3rd place: Ilmatsalu Basic School
🎤 Audience favorite: Descartes' School
In addition, special awards were given to soloists. The night continued with a disco and an exciting orientation game in the school building, where facts about the school's namesake hero had to be discovered. Sporting activities also continued into the late hours of the night – the young people did not tire easily!
The morning began with invigorating exercises and breakfast. The day concluded with a joint summary and the drawing of lots for the right to organize the next overnight school – the baton passed to Tartu Forseliuse School.
The night school was both entertaining and educational, fostering cooperation, creativity, and self-expression among young people.
Event date and time:
07.02.2025
Event overview:
On February 7th , a delightful original creation evening "Looma peab" (One Must Create) took place at Mart Reinik School, gathering creative individuals and fresh perspectives. During the evening, young performers took to the stage, sharing their creations with the audience – poems, songs, texts, and other creative acts were heard.
The event was made special by guest speaker Keret Altpere, director of Tartu Children's Art School, who conducted an inspiring workshop. During this workshop, participants were able to experiment with various forms of self-expression: pictures were created, poems were written, and portraits were drawn.
The evening was characterized by a warm and supportive atmosphere, where everyone felt welcome and could shine with their creativity. ''One must create'' once again proved how important it is to give young people space for creativity and self-expression – a place where ideas take shape and thoughts take flight.
Event date and time:
13.02.2025
Event overview:
On February 13, 2025, an inter-school Valentine's Day ball was held at Tartu Kivilinna School, which brought together young people aged 13–18 from 21 different schools across Estonia for one evening. 149 participants registered for the event, of whom 126 attended – 97 from Kivilinna School and 29 from other schools.
One of the main goals of the ball was youth socialization and inter-school communication. The largest representation was from 7th-grade students, who added a lot of energy and excitement to the evening. The ball began with participant registration and then moved on to games, dancing, a photo hunt, and prize distribution.
Several entertaining activities took place during the evening. For example, the tchair game, the “Guess the Teacher” Kahoot based on emojis, the Texas Rose, where participants tested their agility, and of course, lots of dancing and fun.
A special feature was the photo corner with a photo booth, which captured stylish moments of young people throughout the evening.
The ball concluded with the traditional election of the king and queen by popular vote. All participants were elegantly dressed and enjoyed good music, the company of their peers, and joint activities.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive – praising the diversity of games, design, friendly atmosphere, and food quality.
The Valentine's Day ball showed how much joy and opportunities for collaboration lie in young people's interactions with each other.
Event date and time:
14.02.2025
Event overview:
Tartu Annelinn Gymnasium's Valentine's Day event passed in a joyful atmosphere, bringing together many young people who enjoyed good company, engaging activities, and delicious food. The day was full of warmth, laughter, and good emotions – proving once again that celebrating Valentine's Day doesn't require grand gestures, but simply pleasant togetherness.
During the event, several different competitions took place, testing participants' creativity, teamwork skills, and sense of humor. The competitions for singles, friends, and couples generated particular excitement, leading to new acquaintances and strengthening old ones. The main competition, which involved singing, dancing, and answering humorous questions, became the highlight of the evening – the audience actively participated, and the participants' courage and energy created a truly lively atmosphere.
Simple dances got everyone moving, and the pantomime game offered plenty of fun and surprises. The photo booth also proved popular, where people could capture fun moments with friends – creating many wonderful memories.
The evening's delicious food disappeared from the tables in an instant – alongside good food, there was no shortage of good cheer. Overall, it was a heartwarming event that emphasized the importance of friendship and collaboration.
Event date and time:
14.02.2025
Event overview:
On February 14th, a heartfelt Valentine's Day ball took place at Tartu Karlova School, bringing together eighty young people to celebrate love, friendship, and shared joy. The evening offered participants the opportunity to enjoy dancing, quizzes, fun games and capture moments in a specially created photo booth.
The culmination of the ball was a lively dance party, provided by enthusiastic DJs, who managed to draw the crowd to the dance floor and heat up the atmosphere. Catering and decorations were carefully chosen to match the romantic and friendly vibe of Valentine's Day.
The organizers emphasized that the goal was to create an evening that brings people together and creates a warm feeling – and based on feedback, it can be said that this goal was achieved. Participants left in good spirits and with a desire to experience a similar event again.
During the project's implementation, young people are assisted by a youth worker.
The city of Tartu, which was awarded the title of “Estonian Youth Capital,” offered young people additional opportunities for self-fulfillment.
For the first time, initiatives proposed by young people aged 13–19 living in Tartu were supported through the “
” program with grants of up to 1,000 euros!
The activities of the Youth Capital are supported by the Ministry of Education and Research, the Erasmus+ program, and the European Solidarity Corps Agency. The activities are funded by the European Union.