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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 operating 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 join the organizing teams. We offer various educational workshops to schools. The Lille Youth Center hosts a health-themed workshop focused on managing anxiety, conducted in the engaging format of forum theater.We recently had a visit from sixth-grade students at Annelinna Gymnasium, one of whom summarized the experience as follows: Sixth-grade students visited the Lille Youth Center and had a great day there. The youth workers there, Riin…

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 fields of natural and exact sciences, music, art, dance, performing arts, language, literature, technology, or other general culture (excluding sports). Up to 15 creative scholarships will be awarded under the program. The grant amount is the minimum monthly wage established by the Government of the Republic—946 euros (net). The grant is paid out after the successful completion of the internship and the completion of the work, within two weeks at the latest. Applications for Loomehüpe are open from April 27 through May 26, 2026 (inclusive), and applications may be submitted…

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! In Lilles and Lillekes 3:00–3:45 p.m. In Ilmatsalu 4:00–4:45 p.m. In Annes and Annekes 5:15–6:00 p.m. Come celebrate with us!

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 13- to 19-year-olds, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first encounter with working life. Over the past thirty years, thousands of young people in Tartu have participated in the brigade, for whom it has been a place to earn their first paycheck, learn responsibility, and experience teamwork.Although opportunities for young people to earn money during the summer have expanded over time, interest in the work brigade has not waned; rather, it has evolved. “Young people today have more choices than ever before, but the need for a first secure work experience has not…

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 was the main theme of our team’s study trip to Germany. We must admit that we were very fortunate with our partner organization. Miteinander leben e.V. is a team of wonderful people, experienced social workers who, since as early as 1965, have been among the first to address the issue of inclusion and create an inclusive space around themselves. We visited the youth center in Zürth, where we spent the entire day…

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 anticipation of summer. During this time, it is 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, people’s sleep needs are individual, and following a general model or “best practices” may not always be beneficial. Sleep researcher Kene Vernik states that every person has a specific chronotype that determines their sleep needs and habits, and this is something that does not change over the course of a lifetime. To many, this may sound surprising, but it is not…

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 exchange. On March 7, we set off with the other young people from Tartu Train Station toward Valmiera to join the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange. Over the course of the week, we held several group discussions and also created various themed posters and videos. Together, we also learned more about AI and how to use Canva. Of course, the project meeting also included late-night get-togethers, volleyball games, karaoke, and—for some of the young people—hair dyeing. We also visited Riga and the science center located there. The youth exchange…

At the end of February, the A. Le Coq Sport Sports Hall was filled with e-sports enthusiasts for the Game in Tartu 2026 festival, dedicated to gaming culture. Over the course of two days, nearly 500 people from across Estonia visited the event; 20 organizations showcased their activities; and more than 50 organizers and volunteers contributed to the festival’s success. As part of Game in Tartu 2026, visitors had the opportunity to try out computer games created by students, test their skills in virtual reality, and meet various providers of recreational activities. In addition, there were panel discussions, an entertainment program, and a cosplay parade on stage, and the highlight of the event was the Counter-Strike 2 tournament final held on the second day. The event took place as part of the Erasmus+ project “ACE – ambition, collaboration, and e-sports development,” whose overall goal was to provide…

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tartu Youth Work Brigade. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates Tartu’s consistent commitment to providing young people with their first work experiences, fostering their independence, and developing their social skills. To mark the anniversary, the work camp has also received a new visual identity that uses vibrant colors to reflect the energy of young people and brings together symbols that are important to the camp participants. The new branding was created by Melani-Marite Kasuk. The visual language she created helps the work camp increase its visibility and also appeal to young people who are yet to have their first encounter with the working world. Over the years, the Tartu Youth Work Camp has offered thousands of young people the opportunity to have their first real job. It is not just an opportunity to earn money…