Development projects of priority in 2023-2030 are:
Tartu food network – Tartu County Development Association (TAS) is the coordinator of the network. The basis of the activities is the implementation of the Tartu county food strategy and action plan. Other funds, along with TAS’s measures, are used in order to support the project, including additional workforce when possible or necessary. In order to implement the Tartu county food strategy, TAS will carry out following projects: Leader joint projects “Tartu county series of food event and development of food network”, “Development of Tartu county food area”, “Short supply chains” with the support from Agricultural Registers and Information Board (PRIA).
River Emajõgi network – TAS is the coordinator of the network. Along with Gauja area in Latvia, TAS carries out the project “River Networks” funded by the Estonian-Latvian programme. With the Association of Municipalities of Tartu County, TAS carries out the RTK project “Development of Võrtsjärv-Emajõgi-Peipsi network and waterways”. TAS also organises the river trips series and collective action events in river Emajõgi.
Tartu 2024 South Estonia Community Programme (South Estonia cooperation) – TAS helps to carry out one of the biggest regional programmes of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, which involves around 120 events organised by local communities for the visitors of the culture capital in the years 2023-2024. For the period of 2025-2027, a follow-up project for the rearrangement of the yellow windows journey is also planned.
The Smart Village programme – TAS is the leader of the programme in Estonia. We continue our cooperation with the cross-European network Smart Rural 21 as well as carry out several projects supporting the field, such as raising digital capability through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project „eRural Resilience“ and cooperating with Tartu Regional Energy Agency in the Life programme “Renoverty”. An additional international cooperation project to further support the field is currently in the process of development.
The Youth Fund – activities are carried out with the help of Tartu County Youth Council, Tartu Business Advisory Services, and the Union of Tartu County Youth Workers. TAS is the partner and provides the funds for the activities, as well as carries out the call for applications.
ESF+ implementation – launching and administrating the Social Fund requires separate attention in order to assure the largest possible impact of the activities. During the implementation of ESF+, TAS works in cooperation with countries with those LEADER areas who have previous experience with the Social Fund. Cooperation projects are currently in the process of preparation. TAS will begin the call for applications in 2025.