Young people gave our buildings a new look through a graffiti project

March 18, 2021

Grasping Graffiti The idea for the project was born a little over a year ago from the thought of what graffiti is and why it is done. This was followed by discussions about what is art and what is actually vandalism? How to understand this and make it clear to others?

From there, a graffiti-themed project made its way to the European Solidarity Corps project competition. The project received funding, and numerous events have been organized within its framework, primarily for young people. We participated in a training session led by street artists SÄNK and Bach Babach. The first artist introduced us to the origins of graffiti and how the culture of tagging, or drawing names, began; there, we had our first practice session with a smaller group.

This summer, together with the Tartu Youth Work Center, we organized an open graffiti workshop for everyone on Tartu Car-Free Avenue, where all interested participants could try their hand at freehand drawing.

At the most recent training, street artist Bach Babach spoke about his experience and familiarized us with the general Estonian graffiti scene. Also, through a discussion circle, we clarified what should be painted in the city. However, it is neither polite nor reasonable to paint over someone's freshly painted fence, and we discovered that there are also places where it is not possible to reach a consensus.

During the project, the Grasping Graffiti team has given a new look to the wall next to Lille Youth Centre, the Ilmatsalu Xbox room, and the front door of Anne Youth Centre.

The project is supported by the SA Archimedes Youth Agency from the European Solidarity Corps program.

The European Solidarity Corps is a new European Union program that gives young Europeans and organizations the opportunity to jointly build a more caring society by responding to societal challenges in the fields of education, culture, youth work, environment, social services, human rights, and others.

The Solidarity Corps project is an ideal opportunity to learn teamwork, gain new experiences, and give back to the community at the same time.

Additional information:

Kaisa Saluste

Kaisa.Saluste@raad.tartu.ee

+372 53 088 999

news:

DigiWork: How can digital technologies help young people find jobs?

How do you find your first job if you have no prior work experience? How do you figure out which career is right for you? How do you feel confident during a job interview? Many young people are facing these very questions. Looking for your first job can seem daunting: where do you find job openings, how do you write a resume, and what skills do employers expect? But starting a career means more than that

Activities for Youth Work Week at the Tartu Youth Work Center, November 9–15!

November 9–15 marks National Youth Work Week, with this year’s theme being “By the Side of Young People. For Real.” Exciting activities are also in store at the Tartu Youth Work Center! Monday, Nov. 9: We’ll open the exhibition “By the Side of Youth. For Real,” which highlights young people’s stories and experiences. Tuesday, November 10 At 4:00 p.m., we’ll open the Annekese youth art exhibition “Segasummasuvila” at the Annelinna Branch Library (Kaunase pst 23).

The winner of the TNTK sock design contest has been announced!

The Tartu Youth Work Center organized a sock design contest with the goal of giving young people the opportunity to put their creativity to the test and contribute to the design of new TNTK souvenirs. A total of 14 entries were submitted to the contest. The winning design was selected by a jury consisting of young people from all of our youth centers, a representative from the Tartu City Youth Council, an artist, and the director of the Tartu Youth Work Center. The winner of the contest was a 16-year-old

A New Chapter in My Journey in Youth Work

Change, Learning, and Growth at the Tartu Youth Work Center A New Beginning in a New Place A while ago, a new chapter began in my professional life. I started working at the Tartu Youth Work Center as a senior youth worker. This brought with it a new work environment, new people, and greater responsibility, but also the opportunity to view youth work from a slightly different perspective than before. Starting a new job always means adapting.

Clubs at the Lille Youth Center 2026

As befits the start of a new school year, the Lille Youth Center is kicking off the new season with a bang and an expanded selection of clubs. All clubs will meet on Fridays, and activities related to the clubs’ themes will take place throughout the week. But what are our new clubs? We’re continuing with the hiking club, where we don’t just talk about hiking—we also learn essential life skills.

Youth Counselor Oksana Knjaz: “None of us has to handle everything on our own!”

Every young person has their own story, questions, and challenges. Sometimes, all it takes to move forward is for someone to help them clarify their thoughts and identify possible solutions. The youth counselors at the Tartu Youth Work Center support young people in precisely these moments, offering them the chance to talk about both everyday worries and more complex issues. Let’s meet Oksana Knjaz, a youth counselor working at our Anne House.

Design socks for the Tartu Youth Work Center!

The Tartu Youth Work Center’s sock design contest is about to begin! Design socks using the provided sock template. You can find the template here or get a paper copy from your youth worker. You can create your design by hand or digitally. Include your name, contact information, and—if you’d like—a brief explanation of your design. Submit your finished work by October 25 at the latest to helene.toomeoks@tartu.ee or give it to your youth worker.