Digital Exhibition of Project Stories
01.08.2024 – 30.03.2026
01.08.2024 – 30.03.2026
A Cohesive and Caring Community
How we searched for solid ground in a changing region
Ida-Virumaa is going through a Just Transition. The economy is shifting, and people are feeling uncertain about tomorrow.
This project was dedicated to supporting the region's most important resource - its local community.
We created a space where people could meet, learn new skills, and figure out together how to live through times of change.
This project was dedicated to supporting the region's most important resource - its local community.
We created a space where people could meet, learn new skills, and figure out together how to live through times of change.
A culture of care and responsibility
25 CLIMATE CAFÉS IN NARVA, SILLAMÄE AND JÕHVI
Ecology is an inseparable part of our present and our future. Global challenges spark a lot of debate - especially about whether one person can make any difference at all. But nurturing a culture of care genuinely gives hope. Especially when you see that you are not alone.
We held dozens of informal gatherings for people of all ages. We talked about fast fashion, explored carbon footprints through board games, watched films, and simply practiced responsibility - toward one another and toward the place we call home.
25 CLIMATE CAFÉS IN NARVA, SILLAMÄE AND JÕHVI
Ecology is an inseparable part of our present and our future. Global challenges spark a lot of debate - especially about whether one person can make any difference at all. But nurturing a culture of care genuinely gives hope. Especially when you see that you are not alone.
We held dozens of informal gatherings for people of all ages. We talked about fast fashion, explored carbon footprints through board games, watched films, and simply practiced responsibility - toward one another and toward the place we call home.
“
«It was a warm and welcoming space where complex environmental topics came alive through conversation and play. We weren't just talking about ecology - we were exploring it together and finding unexpected answers».
Creativity and Second Lives
40+ WORKSHOPS
We learned to give forgotten things a new life: upcycling old clothes, painting glass bottles, weaving baskets, and making trivets. Upcycling turned out to be a wonderful reason to come together.
What proved truly valuable was not only what ended up on the table, but everything that happened around it: new friendships, long conversations, and the realisation that in any endeavour, the people beside you matter most.
40+ WORKSHOPS
We learned to give forgotten things a new life: upcycling old clothes, painting glass bottles, weaving baskets, and making trivets. Upcycling turned out to be a wonderful reason to come together.
What proved truly valuable was not only what ended up on the table, but everything that happened around it: new friendships, long conversations, and the realisation that in any endeavour, the people beside you matter most.
“
«The most valuable thing for me was the chance to feel part of a community - to do something meaningful, not sit at home alone, but to learn, connect, and take part in the life around me.».
87 FAMILIES TOOK PART IN THE PROJECT'S STUDY TRIPS
Study trips to Lahemaa: nature as a teacher
Sometimes the best way to bring people together is to take them out of their everyday surroundings. Families from Ida-Virumaa travelled to Lahemaa National Park to experience sustainable living first-hand, discover local ecosystems, and deepen their connection with the natural world.
Without desks or textbooks, walking through forests and bogs, playing board games in the evenings, participants not only discovered the nature of Estonia, but also crossed language barriers, beginning to communicate in Estonian.
Study trips to Lahemaa: nature as a teacher
Sometimes the best way to bring people together is to take them out of their everyday surroundings. Families from Ida-Virumaa travelled to Lahemaa National Park to experience sustainable living first-hand, discover local ecosystems, and deepen their connection with the natural world.
Without desks or textbooks, walking through forests and bogs, playing board games in the evenings, participants not only discovered the nature of Estonia, but also crossed language barriers, beginning to communicate in Estonian.
“
«We thank the organisers with all our hearts for this wonderful trip! It was incredibly lovely to spend time together with my child in such a warm and thoughtfully designed format. The bog walk was lively and fascinating… This trip will stay with us for a long time!»
Trips along the Onion Route
DISCOVERING HISTORY THROUGH PEOPLE
Learning about culture from a book is one thing - being welcomed as a guest by the Old Believers of Peipsiääre is something else entirely. Project participants travelled the Onion Route to see first-hand how local people carefully preserve their traditions and live in harmony with the resources of their land.
Through local cuisine, crafts, and lively conversations, the history of the region became tangible.
DISCOVERING HISTORY THROUGH PEOPLE
Learning about culture from a book is one thing - being welcomed as a guest by the Old Believers of Peipsiääre is something else entirely. Project participants travelled the Onion Route to see first-hand how local people carefully preserve their traditions and live in harmony with the resources of their land.
Through local cuisine, crafts, and lively conversations, the history of the region became tangible.
“
«The trip to the Onion Route was a true gift for my daughter and me. We were together, laughing, discovering new things and it brought us even closer. I especially loved the game night. It was very inspiring to see how locals care for nature in Peipsimaa... The atmosphere was warm and friendly; we felt like one team. Thank you to the organizers for this joy and these new experiences!»
Volunteering and civic Initiatives
203 VOLUNTEERS
We wanted the project to go beyond our own events and give people the momentum to take action independently. This is how the participants' own initiatives were born.
One of these was a summer camp and a "Dream Day" for children with special needs. Participants organized workshops, excursions, and meetings with specially trained therapy dogs entirely on their own.
203 VOLUNTEERS
We wanted the project to go beyond our own events and give people the momentum to take action independently. This is how the participants' own initiatives were born.
One of these was a summer camp and a "Dream Day" for children with special needs. Participants organized workshops, excursions, and meetings with specially trained therapy dogs entirely on their own.
“
«For Olivia, this was the best camp ever. It was so interestingly organized... Thank you for the individual approach to my child, your responsiveness, and professionalism».
Restoring internal resources
47 MEN AND 39 WOMEN
Adapting to external change in the region requires inner stability. We launched men's and women's health clubs where we talked about the fundamentals: sleep, stress, nutrition, and psychological self-care.
These weren't academic lectures, but practical meetings where participants learned how to restore their own resources so they could later share them with their families and community.
47 MEN AND 39 WOMEN
Adapting to external change in the region requires inner stability. We launched men's and women's health clubs where we talked about the fundamentals: sleep, stress, nutrition, and psychological self-care.
These weren't academic lectures, but practical meetings where participants learned how to restore their own resources so they could later share them with their families and community.
“
«In light of recent events in my life, this was a breath of fresh air - an opportunity to step back from my worries and thoughts. Projects like these are a fairytale in everyday life».
«I started paying closer attention to myself, learned to recognize signs of fatigue, and began recovering in time. It was nice to feel supported and involved, and to see how the program helps people open up, share experiences and grow».
«I started paying closer attention to myself, learned to recognize signs of fatigue, and began recovering in time. It was nice to feel supported and involved, and to see how the program helps people open up, share experiences and grow».
“
«I quit smoking after the course».
«I normalized my sleep and removed distractions from my daily life.
I wake up and go to bed at the same time, even on weekends».
«I really liked that there was no criticism regarding food. Everything is allowed, but in moderation. I have more awareness now: I control the volume and quality of what I eat».
«I normalized my sleep and removed distractions from my daily life.
I wake up and go to bed at the same time, even on weekends».
«I really liked that there was no criticism regarding food. Everything is allowed, but in moderation. I have more awareness now: I control the volume and quality of what I eat».
«Everyone is Learning» festival
Together with the VitaTiim center, we organized a festival that united people around the idea of lifelong learning. The entire program was conceived and hosted by the residents themselves and international volunteers.
Formats changed every hour: in one area they built bug hotels, in another they made okroshka, danced Breton dances, and painted with henna. Psychological workshops alternated with language cafés and partner acroyoga. Learning something new is a joy when the people next to you share what they genuinely love.
Together with the VitaTiim center, we organized a festival that united people around the idea of lifelong learning. The entire program was conceived and hosted by the residents themselves and international volunteers.
Formats changed every hour: in one area they built bug hotels, in another they made okroshka, danced Breton dances, and painted with henna. Psychological workshops alternated with language cafés and partner acroyoga. Learning something new is a joy when the people next to you share what they genuinely love.
A celebration of what we learned
186 PARTICIPANTS
The Harvest Party was the culmination of the project. Over three days in Narva, people didn't just summarize the results - they became the masters themselves. Those who had come to learn a year ago were now hosting workshops on fermentation, breathing practices, and upcycling for everyone who wanted to join.
The project has ended, but the connections, ideas, and initiatives born here continue to live on.
186 PARTICIPANTS
The Harvest Party was the culmination of the project. Over three days in Narva, people didn't just summarize the results - they became the masters themselves. Those who had come to learn a year ago were now hosting workshops on fermentation, breathing practices, and upcycling for everyone who wanted to join.
The project has ended, but the connections, ideas, and initiatives born here continue to live on.
“
«Thank you to Vestifex for the warm atmosphere, the support, and the space where people can meet, communicate, learn from each other, share knowledge, gain experience, and inspire. It is very valuable that you create such events and bring people together!»
«Such an interesting day at Vestifex! Our mentors are true experts and hardworking people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!»
«Such an interesting day at Vestifex! Our mentors are true experts and hardworking people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!»
So much has happened
Over the year and a half of the "A Cohesive and Caring Community" project, so much has happened - climate cafés and workshops, study trips, festivals, health clubs, and local initiatives.
It united people of different ages and life experiences. Some found a friend. Some dared to share what they know for the very first time. Some learned to listen to themselves.
We are immensely grateful to everyone who worked on the project, attended, learned, shared, and opened up.
We take all these discoveries and new connections with us, and the warmth of these meetings will remain in our hearts 🤍
Over the year and a half of the "A Cohesive and Caring Community" project, so much has happened - climate cafés and workshops, study trips, festivals, health clubs, and local initiatives.
It united people of different ages and life experiences. Some found a friend. Some dared to share what they know for the very first time. Some learned to listen to themselves.
We are immensely grateful to everyone who worked on the project, attended, learned, shared, and opened up.
We take all these discoveries and new connections with us, and the warmth of these meetings will remain in our hearts 🤍
Projekt: «Sidus ja hooliv kogukond»
Projekti nr: 2021-2027.6.01.24-0349