Living Environment and Regional Development in Tartu County
The Association of Municipalities of Tartu County supports the development of a high-quality living environment through strategic planning, sustainability-oriented action, community development and regional cooperation. Our work brings together long-term county development with practical initiatives that strengthen local communities, cultural life and place-based solutions across Tartu County.
We see the living environment as more than physical space. It includes how people move, participate, create, work together and use local resources in ways that support both community life and long-term sustainability.
What we do
In this field, our role is to support and coordinate county-wide cooperation. This includes:
- contributing to strategic planning and long-term county development;
- supporting sustainability-related action in areas such as circular economy, energy, climate and mobility;
- strengthening cultural life and community-led initiatives;
- coordinating and supporting programmes that help local communities develop their ideas and services;
- participating in regional and international projects that improve the living environment and strengthen place-based development.
Strategic and sustainable development
Long-term development in Tartu County is guided through shared planning and cooperation. The county’s development framework includes the Tartu County Development Strategy 2040, the county spatial plan, the circular economy roadmap, the energy and climate plan and other strategic documents that help municipalities and partners move in a common direction.
This work helps connect long-term goals with practical implementation and supports a more balanced and future-oriented development of both urban and rural areas in the county.
Circular economy, energy, climate and mobility
Sustainability is one of the key dimensions of how we approach the living environment. The Tartu County Circular Economy Roadmap focuses on reducing waste generation and increasing reuse, with key areas including co-creation and communities, renewable energy and energy use, sustainable food systems, agriculture and land use, and industry and services.
Mobility is treated as an important topic in its own right. The circular economy roadmap notes that transport and mobility are addressed separately through the Tartu County Sustainable Mobility Action Plan, which also identifies actions needed for the transition to a more circular economy.
The Tartu County Energy and Climate Plan has been prepared at two levels: a county-level framework integrating the City of Tartu’s energy and climate plan, and municipality-specific plans for Elva, Kambja, Kastre, Luunja, Nõo, Peipsiääre and Tartu Rural Municipality.
Community support programmes
We also support the living environment through programmes that help communities take initiative and develop locally relevant ideas. The Local Initiative Programme supports the emergence and continuity of strong, self-initiated communities.
The Peipsiveere Development Programme supports the sustainable vitality of the Peipsiveere region and the Old Believers community by developing the local business environment, human capital and marketing, increasing the attractiveness and diverse use of Lake Peipsi, and applying the region’s cultural, natural and economic potential.
Place-based regional development
Regional development in Tartu County is closely tied to local conditions and territorial strengths. A good example is the South Estonian waterways development project, which is based on the shared understanding that the comprehensive development of South Estonia’s waterways is key to improving the region’s business environment, living environment and the competitiveness of water tourism.
Our work in this field is also supported by international cooperation. Projects such as Digital Rural, GOOD CITIES and Coop4RURALGov contribute to smarter rural development, more sustainable consumption, stronger local sharing ecosystems and better governance that takes rural areas into account.