Have you noticed how our city is getting cosier, more comfortable and greener? Many of the developments have been made possible thanks to various international projects that help make Tallinn more sustainable and improve the quality of everyday life.

For the period 2020-2029, Tallinn will receive an impressive €68.3 million in support from various EU funds, enabling landmark initiatives. Whether it's a new tram line, a cozier school or new green spaces, all these initiatives will help shape the face of our city.

Tallinn is an active participant in a number of international projects, which not only bring new solutions to the city, but also extra funding and valuable cooperation experience. All these activities support the „Tallinn 2035“ development strategy and take us step by step towards a more sustainable city.

 

So what will Tallinn get for the €68.3 million?

There are a number of projects underway in different city departments, of which we are highlighting the biggest beneficiaries:

Urban Environment and Public Works Department

- Old City Harbour tram line: This project received a €36.5 million grant from the European Union to build a new tram line that will promote sustainable mobility.

- Krsitiine public transport hub: This €9.6 million grant will improve intermodal transfers, creating a more efficient transport system.

- Bicycle paths: Nearly €10.1 million will be invested in bicycle paths on Pärnu maantee, Tehnika street and Liivalaia and Suur-Ameerika streets.

Education Department

- An energy-saving school: a project to improve the energy efficiency of the Tallinn French Lyceum building

- Youth program "Get going": Five specialists work with young people who are not in education or employment, helping them to find a suitable educational institution or job and providing long-term support to maintain their choices.

Culture & Sports Department

- Cities After Dark and Nightlife Strategies: Projects focusing on the development of Tallinn's nightlife and improving safety, sustainability and community involvement between 2025 and 2035. The total funding for these projects amounts to nearly €200 000.

Property Department

- Energy savings in municipal buildings: Projects will focus on improving energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, with a total grant amount of € 604 800.

- NonHazCity 3: A project to reduce the use of hazardous substances in buildings in order to protect the water environment, human health and achieve more sustainable buildings (grant € 140 900).

Transport Department

- Moving towards climate-neutral mobility: projects by the Transport Department aim to smartly combine public transport with new modes of mobility and micro-mobility, and another to find affordable solutions using artificial intelligence and various sensors to detect and map road damage.

Tallinn Welfare and Health Care Department is also busy with several projects, the largest of which are internationally funded:

- Humancentric special care service model - the project was officially completed just last month with a grant of €1.49 million.

- Supporting local authorities in the provision of integration and adaptation services and support services for beneficiaries of international protection: these projects will receive grants of €500 000 and €221 270 respectively.

Under the leadership of the Strategic Management Office, the following projects have received the largest grants:

- SOFTacademy: which is a renovation project that aims not just to fix up an apartment building, but to renovate the buildings and courtyards of a neighborhood in an inclusive, beautiful and sustainable way, in line with the principles of the New European Bauhaus

- URBREATH: a project to improve green spaces and urban resilience to climate change, with a demonstration area near the Linnahall by the sea.

- TREASoURcE: promotes zero waste and reuse by creating sustainable value chains for materials and products in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

- BIM4Gov: the broader aim of the project is to make public sector work processes more efficient and modern using BIM technology.

- CliNeDest: creates solutions to help Baltic Sea tourist destinations achieve climate neutrality, following the principles of the UNWTO Glasgow Declaration.

A number of project applications for urban space improvements are still in the pipeline, the outcome of which will be known in the coming months.

  

Why participate in international projects?

Participating in EU projects offers several opportunities:

1. Testing ideas - EU projects allow city officials and institutions to explore new ideas and solutions, test them, and improve them before wider implementation.
2. Innovation - EU projects bring about innovative approaches, seeking and creating them, helping to create sustainable solutions in the city and promoting innovative methods.
3. International experience - Participation in EU projects brings new experiences and knowledge to the city, helping to better understand our challenges and potential solutions.
4. Additional funding - Participation in EU projects brings additional funds to the city's budget, enabling further funding for city development projects and initiatives.

All projects carried out support the goals and objectives of the "Tallinn 2035" development strategy.