The activity locations of the Tartu Youth Work Centre impress with their versatility.

January 3, 2020

Three open youth rooms for young people, youth work camp, excursions, training courses, local and international projects, volunteer work, and support for youth initiatives.

These are the opportunities that the Tartu Youth Work Center offers to young people active in the city of Tartu.

Along with the administrative reform, much has changed for young people, in addition to the city's physical borders. As of this year, Ilmatsalu Youth Center is one of Tartu city's open youth centers, and engaging the local youth there has been a challenge for youth workers. Nevertheless, visitor statistics show a clear interest among local youth in the youth center's activities, and the motivation of youth workers has also brought young people to Ilmatsalu from surrounding areas and the city.

Nevertheless, changes in youth work are daily, and youth workers often find themselves racing against them. Free county-wide transport brings an increasing number of young people to the centers from surrounding municipalities. With the implementation of street youth work and the change of seasons, more and more young people find their way from urban spaces to centers to escape the weather. The interests and desires of young people also change faster than the weather and seasons.

The Tartu Youth Work Centre was established in May 2018 as a sub-institution of the city government, succeeding the former Lille Maja and Anne Youth Centre, and today, the founders of the institution have acknowledged the correctness of their decision. The Centre has successfully established itself, with each activity location finding its own direction, thereby significantly reducing the duplication of activities and competition for numbers.

At Lille Youth Centre, the focus is on youth health, approaching it as holistically as possible through various components: mental, environmental, physical, social, spiritual, and emotional. Anne Youth Centre follows its own path in youth employment, coordinating Tartu's youth work camp. In addition to gaining initial work experience, young people at Anne Youth Centre acquire broader knowledge about career and working life topics. The excellent opportunities for outdoor activities located in the immediate vicinity of Ilmatsalu Youth Centre have greatly provided motivation and opportunities for launching the centre's nature education focus area. Adventurous survival camps, hikes, and daily recreational activities have successfully launched the youth centre with a nature education focus. Thus, each centre, when viewed from the side, follows its own path, yet all centres operate as a unified whole based on teamwork, offering diverse opportunities for young people with different interests.

news:

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.

Youth Counselor Kairi Kivaste: “My job is to listen and provide guidance, together with the young person”

There are times in a young person’s life when they don’t have to face their thoughts, worries, or questions alone. The Tartu Youth Work Center employs two youth counselors whom young people can turn to when they need someone to listen, help them make sense of a situation, and work together to find possible solutions. The youth counselors also support youth workers and help them identify and resolve

Tartu, the Youth Capital, Opens a New Playground at the Anne Youth Center

Today, October 2, at 3:00 p.m., a new playground will open in the courtyard of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu), providing younger visitors with more opportunities for active leisure.The playground is part of a comprehensive plan for the Anne Youth Center’s outdoor area, which is being implemented in stages. In the coming years, the plan is to develop the entire outdoor area to create a space that meets the needs of young people of all ages.