Blog

Hello! I am Alessio. I am a young man from Southern Italy who wants to do and experience as much as possible to develop and improve myself. I enjoy engaging in a wide variety of activities – both mental and practical. I try to see everything as an experience that, with the right attitude, can help me grow. By education, I have a bachelor's degree in sociology, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in innovation and social development. I wanted to join the European Solidarity Corps to personally understand the meaning of volunteer work in a country so different from my own. I believe this experience will help me to be more open-minded and better understand my role in society. This is a very good project for people who want to gain new...

Need a helping hand for the summer? Tartu Youth Work Camp is looking for employers. Tartu Youth Work Center invites companies, organizations, and individuals to contribute to the success of the Tartu Youth Work Camp's 30th year of operation. The camp offers young people in Tartu aged 13-19 the opportunity to gain their first work experience in a safe and supportive environment. For employers, this is an opportunity to contribute to the community and youth development by offering simpler seasonal jobs to young people who have joined the camp during the summer. Providing young people with their first work experience is important. The youth work camp helps to foster work habits, develops a sense of responsibility, and supports the development of social skills – communication, cooperation, and adherence to agreements. A safe and supervised work experience gives young people confidence and helps them better understand the world of work. Over the years, camp participants have worked in various roles – maintenance, service, cleaning, painting, stacking wood,…

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 is not merely about organizing activities for young people, but an important space for self-development and communication. Most frequently, young people highlighted that youth work helped them become braver and more self-confident. Describing how they learned to believe in themselves more, express their thoughts, and have a more positive attitude towards themselves and others. Pointing out how they...

I thought that the Youth Party would be just one big performance for me as the host. That it would be just one role for me as a theater lover. But it was so much more than that... As soon as I had the opportunity to be part of the organizing team for the 2026 Youth Party, I didn't think twice and signed up. And then things moved very quickly – weekly meetings with the entire organizing team as well as smaller teams, where specific tasks had already been assigned to the members. Gradually, the picture began to come together: the stage, lighting, sound, workshops, guests – every detail mattered. The party started at 6 p.m., but we, the organizing team, were already there at 12:10 p.m. and started setting up the equipment, lighting...

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 pay attention to financial literacy and organize various themed activities and events. Together with young people, we discuss how to plan their money, what expenses to make, and we try to get a better overview of their daily expenditures. We also talk simply about budgeting, distinguishing between needs and wants, and why it is important to think through one's expenses. Important...

In the Ilmatsalu youth and community center, urban and rural environments, with their respective lifestyles, have merged into a unique symbiosis. Significant changes are underway in the Ilmatsalu area: construction of new residential buildings will soon begin, bringing new people. But there are also people who have lived here their entire lives and keep long-standing traditions alive. There are also those who left and have now returned, as well as "newcomers" who have recently moved to the area and found or created a home for themselves. Some temporarily, some for longer. All age groups participate in activities at the library, youth or community center, and elsewhere in the area. Sometimes all together, often separately. Activities are carried out at a pace and time that suits each individual. The building where Ilmatsalu...

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, do city orienteering, and take an evening walk through Narva. They will also visit the Victoria bastion passages. The outing is designed for young people aged 10-14. The event is free and requires pre-registration; for more information, contact Julia.Barsukova@tartu.ee. A signed parental consent form secures a spot on the outing. (Or from a youth worker or Julia.Barsukova@tartu.ee) On Monday, the Tartu-based school holiday program will begin. At the start of the week, a week-long friend bingo will kick off! On Monday, crafting and…

At the beginning of February, a digital youth worker joined the team of Tartu Youth Work Centre – 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, receive initial advice, and participate in online activities. There are many young people who never visit youth centres or are visible in the city, but they also need information about the opportunities available to them, where to get help, and how to find support for their concerns, so that they do not feel alone. In addition to counselling and information exchange, the digital youth worker also plans to host:🎮 game nights (CS2, Rocket League, Fortnite, Jackbox, etc.)🧠 quizzes💬 chat & chill – let's talk about life, thoughts…

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 first learned about the NOA project about 2 years ago. My homeroom teacher is the head of extracurricular activities, so she's aware of all these things, and she already mentioned something about the NOA project in the student council. Otherwise, we got [information] from our homeroom teacher and from the girls who did exactly the same creative work last year. They explained and recommended the NOA project to us...