Blog

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...

During the winter months, the days in the youth center become increasingly crowded, with young people bored, not in the mood for board games, but with no time for homework either. It is cold enough outside that no one wants to go out and play.But what can you do indoors when there is nothing to do? First, you have to spend hours looking at the game shelf, thoughtfully tilting your head from side to side, touching at least three games on that shelf, and then standing there. If you now feel brave enough, you can ask loudly if anyone wants to play something. Unfortunately, there was only one brave soul in our room and no one answered. Now there is a chance that the youth worker will take the bull by the horns and come and play with you. What...

It's late afternoon. A group of young people stands in front of the shopping center. Some are scrolling on their phones, while others are simply chatting. Two adults approach them, neither asking why the young people are there nor telling them to leave. They don't immediately ask anything important, but simply say: "Hi, how's it going? Would you like to chat with us for a bit?" This is often how mobile youth work, or MoNo, begins. Mobile youth work means meeting young people in their own environments – on the street, in a park, skate park, bus stop, or even online. It is a form of youth work that moves with young people and adapts to their life rhythm and needs. A mobile youth worker does not wait for a young person to come to them – they...

Riin, the head of Lille Youth Centre and coordinator of mobile youth work, describes herself as coming from a classic background – a country child from Jõgeva, no stranger to hard work. Even as a child, she knew her calling and passion were connected to children and young people – dreaming of becoming a teacher back then. After high school, she went to Tallinn Pedagogical University, where she studied geoecology and marine biology, in addition to pedagogy. The woman reached her dream job: a school teacher, but only stayed for a year because she felt that it was not, after all, her true calling. Life then led her to Alam-Pedja, where she became an environmental education specialist for the Jõgeva-Tartu region of the Environmental Board. There, in cooperation with the Jõgeva Defence League's Youth work camp, she also created, for example…