ESTEEM – YOUTH WORK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE

March 24, 2023

ESTEEM – Youth Work is Responsible for the Well-being of Young People is an innovative 24-month Erasmus+ cooperation partnership project implemented by five organizations in Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Spain.

The ESTEEM project focuses on the well-being of young people and measures that can be developed and offered in youth work to improve and strengthen their well-being. As there is no single definition of well-being, we have studied existing models and defined a model that retains elements of the Ryffi and Seligman models and, in our opinion, is best suited to youth work and, specifically, the objectives and means of this project. We do not claim that this is the only correct model, but rather consider it to be the vision of our partners, based on years of experience working with young people in youth centers, non-governmental organizations, and mental health
institutions.

The European Youth Goals define well-being and mental health as the most important aspects of a young person's life. These are fundamental areas that require thorough attention when developing up-to-date policy initiatives and youth work responses. Mental health and well-being are fundamental values of life and prerequisites for a young person's continuous development of potential, readiness to take responsibility, and care for their own life. This includes building healthy relationships, choosing education and
professions, and being an autonomous and active member of society. In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the mental health of young people. The mental health of young people (aged 15-24) significantly deteriorated in 2020-2021, and in most countries, mental health problems in this age group have doubled or more. With sufficient support and timely intervention, young people can recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but there is a risk that the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis will continue to cast shadows over young people's lives and their mental health.

news:

“Let’s start a green-thumbed club!”

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 Lille House gate. We divided up the tasks on the spot—one person weeds here, another

The Voice of Youth in the Action Plan

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, during which 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. In a young person’s life, everything changes very quickly: what was relevant two weeks ago

Come work with us this summer – 0.5 FTE mobile youth worker

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 at the youth center as needed. Requirements for the candidate: higher education (may be in progress); good communication and planning

Students from Annelinna High School visited the Lille Youth Center

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 are welcome to visit us for project days or to encourage their 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 participate in the organizing teams.

Creativity is on the rise in the Youth Capital: Loomehüpe is returning for the third time this year

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 natural and exact sciences, music, art, dance, performing arts, language, literature, and technology

Let’s celebrate the Tartu Youth Work Center’s eighth anniversary together!

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! At Lilles and Lillekes from 3:00–3:45 p.m., at Ilmatsalu from 4:00–4:45 p.m., and at Annes and Annekes from 5:15–6:00 p.m.—come celebrate with us!

The Tartu Work Brigade is opening its anniversary exhibition today at the Tartu City Museum!

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 young people aged 13–19, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first exposure to working life. Over the course of thirty years, thousands of young people from Tartu have participated in the brigade,