Blog

From April 19–26, youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center participated in a study trip to Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Erasmus+ program, to learn about local street youth work methods, non-formal education, and ways to support young people in the NEET situation. Study trips give youth workers the opportunity to step out of their usual work environment for a moment, familiarize themselves with different practices, and bring the knowledge and effective solutions they gain back to their own community (Pavlakias and Comas, 2025). Such experiences help boost work motivation and strengthen team spirit, while also offering the opportunity to develop professional skills and create a more supportive environment for Estonian youth. The study by Pavlakias and Comas (2025) emphasizes that change and variety help organizations develop, particularly when they are treated as a natural part of professional learning rather than as isolated…

This spring, the staff of the Tartu Youth Work Center went on two study trips: to Cologne, Germany, and Lisbon, Portugal. On June 3, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we will gather in the NOKK room on the second floor of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu) for an information seminar on this year’s study trips.We invite all youth workers, activity leaders, and interested city residents from Tartu, Tartu County, and beyond to our information seminar to share the knowledge and practices we’ve gained with you all. In Cologne, we focused on the theme of inclusion in youth work. We gained an overview of various approaches and practices—we visited organizations working with youth with special needs, LGBTQ youth, and girls and young women. We had the opportunity to see and learn about street-based youth work. We will discuss the study trip to Germany first, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. In Lisbon, the focus was on mobile youth work…

With the arrival of spring, there’s a growing desire to be outdoors and do something interesting—something that brings joy, excitement, and sparks curiosity. At the Lillekese Youth Center, we’ve found gardening to be the perfect activity for this. We started one Wednesday by weeding the flower bed in front of the Lillekese building. We divided up the tasks on the spot—one person weeded here, another there, the debris went into a bucket, and a third person carried it to the compost bin. After working for about an hour with our backs to the warm sun on Lille Street, it was time for the most exciting part—sowing the flower seeds. We had bought 20 packets of different varieties of flower seeds. Although we had no prior experience in creating a flower bed, we managed to get everything done. It certainly helped…

Actively involving young people in developing the youth center’s action plan is an important step in fostering their sense of participation and responsibility. Children aged 7–11 are able to successfully express their interests and ideas when provided with a safe and supportive environment. One effective way to do this is through a monthly brainstorming session where young people can freely suggest activities and topics. Young people’s opinions matter and have a real impact on the life of the youth center. In addition to the idea generator, it is important to gather ongoing feedback on daily activities to understand what resonates with young people and what needs to be changed. The youth worker’s role here is to guide: to help make ideas more concrete, then link them to an action plan, and involve partners as needed. Even with younger children, simple tools such as voting, drawing, or discussion circles can be used. Everything changes very quickly in a young person’s life: what they might have liked two weeks ago has soon lost its appeal. To an adult, this may seem alarming, and at times even signal irresponsible behavior, but in reality, it is a natural stage in discovering one’s interests and hobbies and expressing one’s opinions. That is why, for 7- to 11-year-olds, it is particularly crucial to put the ideas suggested in the idea generator to a vote each week—for example, to choose a cooking club or a suitable movie at the cinema.  Involvement is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing process that supports young people’s self-expression and collaboration skills. When young people see that their ideas have a voice, it fosters…

Mobile Youth Worker (0.5 FTE) For the period June 1–August 31 Job Responsibilities: Establishing contact and communicating with young people on the street and in other public places;carrying out youth work activities in the mobile youth work bus; introducing opportunities to young people and supporting them in finding suitable activities; assisting youth workers in the youth center as needed. Candidate requirements: higher education (may be in progress);strong communication, planning, and negotiation skills;willingness to engage with young people on the street and in public spaces;willingness to work evenings and weekends;previous work experience in the youth sector is a plus.We offer a part-time, fixed-term position; a supportive, friendly, and mission-driven team;a salary of 860 euros for a youth worker with a college degree. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter in which you explain your understanding of mobile youth work, describe how you would establish contact with young people in public spaces, and propose ideas for activities on the mobile youth work bus, no later than…

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…