TYPA Centre is an experienced coordinating, hosting, and supporting organisation within the European Solidarity Corps programme. Since 2021, TYPA also holds the Quality Label, confirming its capacity to implement projects in line with ESC principles and objectives. TYPA’s journey with European volunteering program began in 2010, when the organisation - then known as NELK (Noor-Eesti Loomekeskus MTÜ) - received its accreditation as a sending, hosting, and coordinating organisation. The organisation’s long-term motivation has remained consistent: fostering international cooperation within the creative sector, supporting youth development and cultural management skills, promoting arts and heritage preservation, and creating opportunities for self-expression and professional growth. Over the years, TYPA and its partners have hosted 29 long-term volunteers in Tartu. Of these, 20 volunteers served directly at TYPA (formerly Eesti Trükimuuseum MTÜ and NELK), while others were placed in partner organisations: Aparaaditehas (3), Tartu 2024 (3), Tartu Art School (1), Tartu Nature House (1), and Kogo Gallery (1). In addition, three volunteering teams have been organised - two connected to former, current, or future European Capitals of Culture, and one hosted by TYPA. Through steady development and expanded partnerships TYPA has become a key organisation in Tartu’s international cultural volunteering landscape, contributing to community development, creative exchange, and youth empowerment.
Dates: 31.12.2025 – 30.12.2027
Awarded budget: 49 628 €
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Aparaaditehas
Number of activities: 3
Volunteer(s): Selection process ongoing
DESCRIPTION
The project addresses the need for international volunteering opportunities that foster cultural exchange, mutual learning, and the sharing of creative skills. It also responds to the need to strengthen collaboration between cultural institutions and to provide meaningful experiences for young people in community-oriented projects.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.09.2024 – 31.08.2026
Awarded budget: 43 058 €
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Aparaaditehas
Number of activities: 4
Volunteer(s): Joanna, Pawel, Tadeusz, Teona
DESCRIPTION
This project aims to build an international network of volunteers which would help us to pass on the skills of printmaking and its heritage through open exchange. This network also helps us to create meaningful international collaborations and mutual understanding through skill-sharing. Furthermore, we aim to strengthen connections across institutions in Tartu, which will create a wider and more diverse interaction for volunteers and local citizens. This network will nurture new cultural exchanges and acts of solidarity rooted in community and its traditions. Connecting with other organisations on the ESC level will open up new opportunities for European Solidarity initiatives.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.07.2023 – 30.06.2025
Awarded budget: 156 660 €
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Aparaaditehas, Tartu 2024
Volunteering Teams: 2x Tartu2024, 1x TYPA
Number of activities: 7
Volunteers: Emma, Shabnam, Julia & Pia
DESCRIPTION
The main aim of the project was to strengthen TYPA as a hub for cultural heritage, creativity, and community engagement by involving international volunteers in our daily activities. Through the project, we wanted to:
– Support cultural heritage preservation by engaging volunteers in hands-on work with traditional printing and papermaking techniques, ensuring these skills are kept alive and shared with the public.
– Promote intercultural dialogue by bringing together volunteers from diverse backgrounds and integrating them into the local community in Tartu.
– Provide non-formal learning opportunities for young people to develop practical skills, creativity, teamwork, and initiative through volunteering.
– Strengthen community engagement by involving volunteers in workshops, exhibitions, and events that connect local audiences with European cultural values.
– Build long-term capacity for TYPA by developing the skills of our team, expanding our international networks, and fostering future collaborations.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.06.2022 – 31.01.2024
Awarded budget: 71 628 €
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Aparaaditehas, Kogo gallery
Number of activities: 3
Volunteers: Saule, Salome & Paola
DESCRIPTION
The project aimed to strengthen a European network, sharing key ideas and knowledge, especially within culture and heritage. We sought to promote TYPA and partners as a hub for international exchange in Tartu and Estonia, enhancing the city’s European dimension and fostering networks across Europe. Objectives included improving volunteer experiences and opportunities within TYPA, developing partnerships with organisations like Tartu2024 and the Art Museum, and utilising digital communication for faster exchanges. Working with our artists-in-residence program, and education programs, the project aimed to enhance international relations.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.01.2019 – 30.06.2021
Awarded budget: 33 360€
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Tartu 2024
Number of activities: 4
Volunteer(s): Anton, Julia, Myrsini & Isabella
DESCRIPTION
In the third stage of project ESP (European Solidarity for Partnerships), four young people were set to volunteer at two cultural organizations in Tartu, Estonia. They supported daily activities within their host organizations while collaborating with fellow ESP volunteers to develop new forms of inter-organizational cooperation.
Building on previous stages, new partners such as Tartu 2024 Foundation became involved in the ESC program, ensuring continuity and growth. The partnership structure allowed flexibility in case the pandemic significantly affected any organization.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.01.2019 – 30.06.2021
Awarded budget: 27 657€
Hosting organisations: TYPA MTÜ, Tartu Loodusmaja, Tartu 2024
Number of activities: 3
Volunteer(s): Aydan, Jelisaveta & William
DESCRIPTION
As the second stage of project ESP (European Solidarity for Partnerships), three young people were invited to volunteer at three different cultural organizations in Tartu. They supported the daily activities of their host organizations while also collaborating with other ESP volunteers to brainstorm and introduce new forms of cooperation between the organizations. Some host organizations continued from the first stage of the project, ensuring continuity and strengthening the tradition of hosting volunteers in Tartu.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.01.2019 – 30.06.2021
Awarded budget: 27 657€
Hosting organisations: Eesti trükimuuseum MTÜ, Tartu Kunstikool
Number of activities: 3
Volunteer(s): Juhi, Roser & Anna
DESCRIPTION
Project ESP (European Solidarity for Partnerships) brought together three volunteers from different countries to work in two cultural organizations in Tartu. Their main goal was to strengthen cooperation between the organizations through creative and collaborative cultural activities.
Throughout the project, volunteers supported daily operations such as art events, workshops, and educational programs under the supervision of staff members. In addition to their regular tasks, they met across organizations to identify shared interests and develop joint initiatives.
The core focus of the project was the planning and implementation of collaborative cultural events that combine the strengths, skills, and resources of multiple organizations. Volunteers led the brainstorming, development, execution, and evaluation of these events, while supervisors provide guidance and support.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dates: 01.08.2018 – 30.09.2019
Awarded budget: 8 305€
Hosting organisation: Eesti trükimuuseum MTÜ
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): Lea
DESCRIPTION
Project CreMe (Creative Messages) encouraged one volunteer to work during one year in a historic printing studio-museum with other young persons to create and distribute a series of small printed messages, offering fresh and novel ways to understand and approach current issues in the society. In this manner the project brings together cultural heritage and the digital meme culture to give young persons a voice while encouraging artistic expression in the process.
During the project, the volunteer worked with students in the historic city of Tartu while herself learning from visiting artists who are drawn to the museum from all around the globe, taking a bit of the experience back with them. In this manner, everyone who comes to contact with the project will gain a better understanding of the ways that cultural heritage can be used as a creative tool in current context as well as how and why to include young persons in community discussions.
Dates: 01.08.2017 – 31.10.2018
Awarded budget: 16 264€
Hosting organisation: Eesti trükimuuseum MTÜ
Number of activities: 2
Volunteer(s): Mira, Mona
DESCRIPTION
Cooperation by Art was a long-term European Voluntary Service project where two volunteers worked in two organizations of art and culture to bring the organizations and their
audiences closer together.
The project was based on the existing non-formal cooperation between the print media museum Studio Tartuensis and the vocational Tartu Art School. With the help of the
volunteers, a community of students, local volunteers and art enthusiasts participated in a series of collaborative art events. The EVS volunteers were at the center of these
events with their new perspectives and youthful energy to connect people, organizations and offer novel approaches..
The workshops, exhibitions, classes, artist’s talks and other events that were undertaken during the project, gave the participants opportunities to learn and share, but also
helped both organizations to plan and prepare for more such activities in the future.. In this way, the lasting impact of the project is an increased cooperation between Tartu Art
School and Studio Tartuensis, which will in turn benefit students and art enthusiasts in Tartu.
On the practical side, the project also taught participating volunteers skills in arts management which they can use to their benefit in the job market or choose to pursue
academically if they so wish.
Dates: 01.08.2015 – 30.09.2016
Awarded budget: 7 725,34€
Hosting organisation: Eesti trükimuuseum MTÜ
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): Nele
DESCRIPTION
Project ECHO (Erasmus Cultural Heritage Orienteering) explored the the cultural heritage and the contemporary cultural scene in Tartu to make it more accessible to young persons. To this extent one volunteer worked for one year with the Studio Tartuensis team, lending help in ongoing cultural exchange projects and developing own activities such as workshops, discussions, group visits involving other volunteers, visitors, artists and young persons.
Extra emphasis was on the field of literature connected to Tartu joining the UNESCO network of literary cities and the launch of Studio Tartuensis reading room “Fahrenheit 451”. Other genres were investigated vigorously, such as organizing city tours, dinners and exhibitions for printmakers, painters and various other artists.
For the volunteer, the project was a successful course in cultural management, for the host organization it allowed to reach a wider audience and for the other participants, it was a chance to gain new cultural experiences, meet like minded young volunteers, artists and enthusiasts. In total the project reached several hundred participants and was a successful experience for all parties.
Dates: 17.06.2014 – 31.08.2015
Awarded budget: 7 685€
Hosting organisation: Noor-Eesti Loomekeskus MTÜ (NELK)
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): Suzanne
DESCRIPTION
Project CITY (Cartographic Interpretation Through Youth) took a look at how communities perceive an urban setting, based on the cooperation of the project volunteer, international artists in residence and local activists. During the project, various activities were undertaken to gather and disseminate information about local hot spots, routes and the stories connected to them. In addition to providing valuable knowledge about the surrounding environment to the host organization, the project also facilitated the mingling and sharing of ideas between participants of varied backgrounds. In conclusion the project was a success for the volunteer, the participant organizations, local volunteers and visitors alike.
Dates: 01.08.2013 – 30.11.2014
Awarded budget: 7 638€
Hosting organisation: Noor-Eesti Loomekeskus MTÜ (NELK)
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): Vincent
DESCRIPTION
Project AC/DC (Art & Creativity Developing Communities)took a novel path in building and developing local communities, leveraging artistic residencies and volunteering to do so. During the project, one volunteer worked closely with a project manager from NELK to research the impact of artistic residency in several rural Nordic communities. These activities were carried out by cooperating with the project “Tales from the Woods”, which in turn was supported by the Nordic Culture Fund. The joint activities and resulting know-how enabled NELK to also build a stronger link to the local community, especially with emerging artists, who were introduced to the concept of creative mobility as well as the opportunities of the Youth in Action programme.
Dates: 01.01.2013 – 31.03.2014
Awarded budget: 7 728€
Hosting organisation: Noor-Eesti Loomekeskus MTÜ (NELK)
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): James
DESCRIPTION
MYCAT (MYCAT – Mapping Youth Culture and Alternative Tradition) aimed to map youth-led independent cultural initiatives in Estonia, create a platform for sharing experiences, and foster cooperation nationally and internationally. The project supported joint activities to highlight young cultural operators and strengthen collaboration among individuals and organizations in culture and youth work.
Overall, MYCAT was implemented largely as planned, with a slight shift in focus from building a database toward enhancing cooperation. This adjustment led to the foundation of a new initiative that the volunteer continued developing after the project ended, creating an immediate and lasting impact on the international youth cultural scene.
Dates: 01.08.2012 – 31.08.2013
Awarded budget: 7 638€
Hosting organisation: Noor-Eesti Loomekeskus MTÜ (NELK)
Number of activities: 1
Volunteer(s): Elise
DESCRIPTION
Project PARIS enabled a volunteer to gain hands-on experience in managing a creative industry center, focusing on intercultural dialogue and community-building. The volunteer organized diverse art- and intercultural-themed events—such as field trips, film screenings, workshops, discussions, and city games—bringing together NELK’s international community and local residents in Tartu. Collaborating with various local and international partners, the project increased the visibility of cultural activities, enriched participants’ experiences, established a sustainable event cycle, and fostered lasting connections among young people, artists, and the local community. The project concluded with an interactive art exhibition showcasing the volunteer’s work.