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TARTU LIVING LAB
RESULTS
A Community-Driven Model for Sustainability
The Tartu Living Lab, established in 2022 and hosted by the Tartu City Government, is a dynamic platform aimed at facilitating sustainability and driving the circular economy in the Tartu region.
With a vision of becoming a leader in circular economy practices in South Estonia by 2030, the lab brings together diverse stakeholders, including municipalities, universities, private enterprises, and community activists. A key milestone is the creation of the Tartu County Circular Economy Roadmap, which sets principles and actionable goals to reduce environmental impact, promote reuse and recycling, and advance climate neutrality.
A Collaborative Approach to Energy and Climate planning
The Tartu Living Lab engages a broad spectrum of stakeholders through workshops, focus groups, and seminars to co-create solutions and align efforts with the city’s Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP).
The lab has also facilitated regional and international collaboration, such as seminars with the Tampere region in Finland, to exchange best practices in circular economy. More than 30 organizations and 50 individuals are actively involved in the lab, underscoring its inclusive and participatory approach.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Influence
Challenges, including sustaining motivation and addressing lengthy processes, have been mitigated through focused communication, clear management practices, and timely planning. The lab’s regional and cross-border initiatives have strengthened its influence, fostering partnerships to achieve shared climate and sustainability goals. Notably, over 10 events involving more than 200 participants have been organized to advance circular economy practices and promote climate neutrality.
Key Achievements and Lessons Learned
Achievements include:
- Circular Economy Leadership: Development of the Tartu County Circular Economy Roadmap, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU’s climate neutrality mission.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building a robust network that integrates regional municipalities, universities, and private companies into a shared sustainability vision.
- Knowledge Exchange: Organizing seminars and workshops that foster collaboration and innovative thinking.
Lessons learned emphasize the importance of strong management, sustained communication, and the need to actively involve decision-makers at all levels. Establishing a Living Lab requires significant effort and adaptability, but the results can drive meaningful regional transformation.
FUTURE PLANS FOR TARTU LIVING LAB
The Tartu Living Lab is committed to an ambitious agenda for the coming years:
- Consolidating the Circular Economy Roadmap: The lab will further develop and implement the roadmap, focusing on actionable strategies that reduce environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency.
- Expanding Community-Oriented Projects: New initiatives will target areas such as sustainable food systems, community-based sharing solutions, and renewable energy to engage citizens and foster grassroots sustainability efforts.
- Updating the SECAP: The lab will review and refine Tartu’s SECAP to ensure it remains aligned with the evolving goals of climate neutrality and regional sustainability.
- Scaling Activities Across the Region: The lab aims to deepen collaborations with neighboring municipalities, creating a broader network to tackle shared climate challenges and scale successful initiatives.
- Cross-Border Partnerships: Building on its collaboration with regions like Tampere, Tartu seeks to establish more international partnerships to exchange knowledge and accelerate progress toward its goals.
“With the support of project methodologies, we created an effective Living Lab management, which has helped us operate Living Lab successfully and keep the originally set focus.“
Jaanus Tamm, City of Tartu
