Blog

The Ilmatsalu Youth Center has plenty of small nooks and crannies filled with exciting games and materials. Over the years, however, these have quietly accumulated, fallen into oblivion, and created their own chaos. Last week, our brave heroes – the volunteers – arrived to bring order to the chaos. It was a week full of hustle and bustle, noise, and organization, but it was all for a noble cause. The work provided activities for the young people during the summer, and at the same time, the center's hidden treasures found their place in the sun again. The volunteers' day began relatively early. A short distance before the younger ones arrived at the center. After a short settling in and assignment of tasks, it was time to get to work. Some took on...

Youth from the Tartu Youth Work Camp participated for the first time in a national defense-themed program aimed at student youth work camps. “National Defense Student Youth Work Camp 2025” is a special project coordinated by the Student Youth Work Camp Foundation, carried out thanks to the support of the National Defense Regiment and the Ministry of Defense, where national defense education is added to the work-educational student youth work camp format. Youth from the national defense groups of the Tartu Youth Work Camp participated in the second shift of the program, which took place from 16-20.07.2025. During the program, they visited the Tartu unit of the Defence League and participated in a field camp held in the Humala complex. The field camp held over the weekend was educational and rich in content. On the first evening, equipment was distributed, and the youth were given a short break, while on the second day, after breakfast, the day immediately began with rotating workshops. During the training, young people got to try extinguishing fires with an extinguisher, starting fires with fire steels, inter-team…

On August 12, International Youth Day was celebrated worldwide – a significant day established under the leadership of the UN, aiming to highlight the role of young people in society and draw attention to their needs and opportunities. On this occasion, a memorable party was held at the Lille Youth Centre, where the organizing team this year included young people from both younger (7–11) and older (12–19) age groups. Every team member had their specific role – some helped with the stage, others with catering, and some with the program – and they were supported by guiding youth workers. This kind of cooperation is important to us because we believe that young people should be given space and trust to have a say and participate in initiatives important to them. The day unfolded…

Summer has arrived, and with it, of course, the long-awaited long break. In public spaces, more young people can be seen spending time with friends, playing sports, or simply relaxing and chilling out. We are usually accustomed to moving along quick and convenient routes from work or school to home and the store. However, for example, between large apartment buildings, on playgrounds, near garages, in shopping centers, and elsewhere, there are various places where young people regularly spend time together. Public spaces, especially streets, can be the only place where a young person feels at home and free. To ensure that young people in public spaces are safe both physically and mentally, and that adult support and help reach them, mobile teams are operating in Tartu…

On August 12, the International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the role of young people in society. The aim of Youth Day is to highlight the voices of young people, draw attention to their ideas, needs, and contributions to shaping the future. The Tartu Youth Work Centre is organizing a fun event called Wild Youth Day, which will take place on August 12 from 16:00 to 20:00. Volunteer youth are also actively involved in organizing the event. Ensuring that the event truly reflects the youth, from the selection of activities to design details, young people can get hands-on and contribute to shaping a memorable event. What's planned? The program definitely has something for everyone. Visitors will have the opportunity to test their balance skills on a mechanical rodeo bull, capture fun moments…

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…