Meet our volunteer Burak!

February 17, 2025

Hello, I am Burak! I am from Türkiye, 29 years old, and studying for a master’s degree in the humanities in Italy. In my free time, I mostly do drawings or photography with my beloved analog camera. The best advice I could give to my 12-year-old self: “Do not fear speaking up and do not let anyone else set barriers to your dreams or desires…”

Three words that describe me best: Creative, mindful, and solitary.

What inspired me to become a volunteer:

For a long time, I really wanted to do something that could touch the lives of young people in a local environment. When I was younger, I couldn’t find a place to channel my energy outside of school hours, nor did I understand what kind of skills I had. Missing these kinds of experiences in my teenage years, and having the chance to experience them with youth, was another major reason I decided to become a volunteer. Thankfully, my path crossed with beautiful Estonia and the wonderful organization of TNTK, giving me the opportunity to impact the lives of young people.

Previous volunteering: I worked as a content writer for the Istanbul-based urban-hacking platform Onaranlar Kulübü (Fixers’ Club) and participated in urban-hacking installations around Istanbul.

A typical day at the youth center: My work starts around 1 p.m. When the different age groups come to our center in Ilmatsalu, I play board games with them, help them with crafts, and draw pictures together. Every Thursday, we organize cooking clubs, where the young people are the main stars of the activity.

Favorite moment: On my first day at Ilmatsalu, I was greeted with applause and a heart-warming hug from two sisters who regularly attend our youth center. They said, “We already like Burak so much!” When I heard that, I realized I was already touching their hearts.

One message for the youth: Always pursue your desires. It’s better to experience them, even if they don’t have a perfect ending. Having regrets about not doing what you truly wanted is worse than experiencing it, even if the outcome is far from ideal.

If my life were a movie, the director would be Martin Scorsese, and the genre would probably be drama/musical.

news:

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,

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion — Our German Learning Mobility Program

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in youth work mean creating a safe and supportive environment where differences are not only acknowledged but also genuinely valued and encouraged. This means ensuring equal access, active participation, and a sense of belonging for all young people. This approach goes beyond merely taking into account differences in origin, gender, abilities, or orientation; it is aimed at removing barriers, expanding opportunities for marginalized and minority groups, and ensuring their full inclusion in all activities. Inclusion

For Your Information: Sleep as a Superpower

With the arrival of spring—accompanied by birdsong and the awakening of nature—comes a period that is stressful and hectic for so many young people and adults alike. Whether it’s due to graduations, the final stages of various projects, or simply the anticipation of summer. During this time, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain your routines, one of the most important of which is a healthy sleep routine

Connected internationally! A week in Latvia—fun, interesting, and memorable!

Eight young people from the Tartu Youth Work Center had the amazing opportunity to take part in the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange in Latvia, which focused on digital tools, environmental development, design, and storytelling. Over 40 young people from Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Italy, and Hungary took part in the youth exchange. On March 7, we set off with the group from Tartu train station toward Valmiera,