Blog

This summer, an international youth exchange entitled "Stronger Together – Building Body and Mind" brought together young people from Estonia, Lithuania, and Malta. The theme was physical health and an active lifestyle, but the week offered much more – cultures were shared, new friendships were formed, and a memorable time was spent together. We asked the participants and organizers what the experience was really like for them. 🧳 First impressions and expectations Marek: "I decided to take part in the youth exchange because I wanted new experiences and to meet young people from other countries. It seemed exciting to go somewhere else and make new friends. Before the program started, I expected it to be fun and that we would do a lot of activities together. I hoped...

Both age groups from the Anne Youth Center recently visited the Annelinna Rescue Station. The experience left a lasting impression on both the young people and the youth workers who accompanied them, and many of us probably found ourselves reflecting in the evening on how rewarding a single day can be. Youth work is full of challenges, but every day brings moments that truly make your heart sing. Here are 10 things a youth worker can be grateful for in their day: The smiles of young people A morning "Hello!" from a young person who was withdrawn yesterday gives you strength for the whole day.  Real conversations When a young person trusts you and talks about their thoughts, fears, or dreams, it is the greatest recognition of the trust you have built. Small...

on September, Tead?Fest will take place in the heart of Tartu – an inspiring day of wisdom where youth, creativity, and music meet. The event will be held from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Tartu city center.  👉 We are looking for talented youth bands who want to energize Tartu with their music on the Tead?Fest stage. This is an ideal opportunity to introduce your work to a new audience, share the stage with other amazing artists, and experience the buzz of the event on the coolest day of early autumn! The main act is the brilliant An-Marlen, but you/your band also have the chance to be part of the lineup! To apply, send us: a short introduction of your band, a link (or file) with a recording, and contact details (name, email, phone) 📧 Send all this to [helen.toomsalu@tartu.ee] by July 18 at the latest.

Despite the weather not being kind to this year's summer kick-off party, young people were still there – joyful and ready for action! Our small but heartfelt tradition – celebrating the end of the school year and the beginning of summer with Anne and Anneke – happily continued. Even with a drizzle, several outdoor activities took place. One active young person had put together a playful orienteering game that engaged participants with excitement. Especially for sporty young people, the relay race offered a chance to test both speed and teamwork skills. Crafting leather bracelets proved to be a challenge. What seemed like a simple task at first turned out to be time-consuming – cutting leather is not at all the same as cutting paper, and attaching rivets also required skill. The final result…

A youth overnight event has taken place three times at Lilleke, with the last one held on the last Friday of May. The youth overnight event is very popular among young people, as they get to stay at the youth center for the entire night. Before the overnight stay, we divide tasks among the young people – someone plans evening activities, someone organizes dinner, and someone is responsible for breakfast. This time, the young people did it in teams. Those responsible for food planned the menu, removed or added dishes as needed, and went grocery shopping with a youth worker. Each group received a budget that they had to consider when shopping. Adhering to the budget is something that still needs work. The youth overnight event began with a big cooking session, where all young people could participate…

Ilmatsalu awoke with special excitement on May 17th – for the first time, a home café day took place, bringing a pleasant buzz, appetizing aromas, and many guests to the small town. The Ilmatsalu Youth Center also participated with its own café. Although the café opened its doors only on Saturday, preparations began much earlier. Together with the young people, we gathered ideas and planned activities. The day before the event was largely spent in the kitchen, where we prepared a diverse menu: cake pops, chocolate chip cookies and lemon cookies, savory and sweet mini pancakes, potato salad, and for drinks, cocoa, lemonade, coffee, and tea. We transformed the Youth Center's garage into a unique café. The day passed quickly and joyfully. The day passed quickly and joyfully. The diligent young people were already there before our arrival and ready to act. When...

The Tartu Youth Work Centre is organizing the traditional Day of Wisdom on September 1st and is looking for co-organizers.      As in previous years, the event will take place on September 1st in Tartu city centre, next to Kaubamaja. The event starts at 2:00 PM, and hobby education activities will continue until 7:00 PM. The evening will conclude with a concert by the main performer from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.   Tead?Fest is Tartu's city-wide back-to-school celebration, where hobby schools and clubs mark the beginning of the new academic year. The festival focuses on active engagements and workshops where young people can participate, try new things, and gain valuable experiences. Approximately 5,000 young people of various ages participate in the event each year.  Tead?Fest combines entertainment, sports, and the introduction of hobby activities, offering opportunities for engaging workshops and active pursuits…

Not long ago, a new club – Uue Mina Stuudio (New Me Studio) – opened its doors at the Anne Youth Center. Initially, it was intended only for girls, but we later realized that many topics could be of interest to everyone – for example, ways to cope with stress, various workshops, and quizzes. As a result, the number of interested participants grew. Young people discuss with enthusiasm, propose exciting ideas for future meetings, and name topics they would like to discuss. They also conduct workshops themselves, prepare snacks for participants, and decorate dishes – this develops leadership skills and encourages them to implement their ideas. We, the staff, are very happy to see your reactions, receive feedback, and move in the same direction with you. We appreciate...

Starting Monday, May 12, all young people aged 13-19 who are registered residents of Tartu will have the opportunity to apply for the Tartu Youth Work Camp 2025 groups. This summer, there will be an even wider selection of groups and employers than before, so everyone is sure to find something that suits them. This year, there are over 100 places available for young people aged 13-14, giving more young people the opportunity to join the work camp. Secondly, this year, in cooperation with the Tallinn Student Work Camp and the National Defense Regiment NGO, there will be work camp groups that focus on learning about national defense, and during which participants will also take part in the national defense camp on July 18-20. Groups focusing on national defense are marked accordingly. This summer, the work camp will feature several new, exciting, and diverse employers. For example, young people are welcome to work in cemeteries...