Children's wisdom finds practical application
Vivita Lahenduste Laboratoorium, a children and youth creativity accelerator, is launching a large-scale international innovation project “Future Blocks” with the support of the European Commission in cooperation with the National Library of Estonia, the University of Gröningen, and several Estonian schools and municipalities, which will result in a model for involving children in shaping their living environment for the whole of Europe.
With the support of the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, a model is being implemented in Estonia where children are involved in shaping their living environment not only in appearance, but as substantive decision-makers.
“We are honored that the European Commission sees the potential in our methodology to solve a pressing democratic problem – the low level of involvement of children,” says Sigrid Kägi, member of the board of Vivita Lahenduste Laboratoorium, who added that thanks to the support of CERV, we are no longer talking about a single playground, but about a systemic change in decision-making processes – be it the urban space of Tallinn or the village center of Hiiumaa.
“In collaboration with Vivita Lahenduste Laboratooriumwe are delighted to develop a “toolbox” based on design sprints that will support the involvement of young people in communities and libraries in the future. This way, the library can be even more present for its community,” said Riina Tamm, Head of the Education Centre of the National Library of Estonia.
What will be done with the support of the project (2026–2027)?
- 24 design sprints: They will take place in six locations in Estonia (including partner schools in Tallinn, Hiiumaa, Saaremaa and Võru), where children will develop solutions to improve public space.
- Evidence-based toolbox: Vivita Solutions Laboratory, in collaboration with Professor Özlemnur Ataol from the University of Gröningen, is developing and testing a unique design sprint methodology that meets the European Union standards for child participation.
- Nationwide exhibition: The National Library of Estonia (RaRa) will take the project results and prototypes created by children as a travelling exhibition to 15 county libraries.
The project aims to achieve a situation where at least 30% of the solutions proposed by children are implemented by local governments. At the end of the project, an open toolbox will be created and made available to all local governments in the European Union.