On 13 February, the National Library of Estonia hosted a gala evening dedicated to the Tallinn Youth Work Recognition Contest “Great Deeds 2025“. Each year, the competition is open to nominations in various categories: Great Achievements of Youth; Great Achievements for Youth; Youth Worker of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Youth Organisation of the Year; and for the first time this year, nominations were open for the category “Innovative Activity of the Year”.

The Mayor of Tallinn, Peeter Raudsepp, and Deputy Mayor Andrei Kante delivered speeches at the event. In their speeches, they stressed the importance of youth work, highlighted the fact that young people are a driving force for progress and development, and recalled how much the development of social skills adds to life. The importance of a safe and trusting environment for young people at school or in a youth centre – and the role of youth workers in creating this – was also discussed.

Two nominations were submitted by TTRK: our “Christmas Ball for secondary school students” and Jevgenia Zovmer’s nomination in the category “Youth Worker of the Year”.

The Christmas Ball is one of the most special events in our school because it is organised by the students themselves from start to finish. This year, the organising team consisted of around 20 students, with more than 10 primary school students volunteering to help, in cooperation with teachers. The students went all the way: from the idea and the search for sponsors, to the budget and the ordering of decorations, to the realisation, organisation and coordination of the event. The ball brings together students from different grades and develops a wide range of social skills, and this year around 140 people took part. This is an event that certainly deserves attention.

This year we did not make it to the prize places. However, it is already a great recognition for us to be invited as guests to such an important event. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and supported us!

Photo by Johan Hallimäe