Opportunities and Challenges of Contemporary Youth and Community Work: An Estonian Perspective

About

The course provides an overview of Estonia’s social, educational, and youth policy framework, introducing the professionalisation of youth and community work and practical approaches to promoting inclusion, diversity, and civic participation.

Participants explore key national strategies, such as the Youth Sector Development Plan 2021–2035, alongside European initiatives including Erasmus+ and the European Youth Strategy. The course examines youth work as a profession, covering competence models, qualifications, ethical standards, and its links to community education and lifelong learning.

Special attention is given to inclusion and diversity, with a focus on working with vulnerable and minority groups, ensuring equal opportunities, and supporting intercultural dialogue. Civic competences and participatory democracy are addressed through topics such as youth involvement in decision-making, volunteering, community initiatives, and digital participation platforms. The course also looks ahead to future developments in youth and community work, considering demographic change, digitalisation, and emerging opportunities for innovation and cooperation up to 2035.

Course leader

Piret Talur Programme Director of Community Education and Hobby Activity, UT Viljandi Culture Academy Lii Araste Junior Lecturer, UT Viljandi Culture Academy

Target group

bachelor's, master's, lifelong learners

Course aim

- explain the main features of Estonia’s social, educational, and youth policy system;
- identify competence models, qualifications, and ethical standards that define youth work as a profession and connect these to broader community education and lifelong learning;
- sketch and implement approaches that promote inclusion and diversity;
- encourage active citizenship through participatory democracy tools such as youth councils, participatory budgeting, volunteering, and digital participation platforms;
- critically reflect on demographic changes, technological developments, and innovation trends, and anticipate their implications for youth and community work up to 2035.

Fee info