Winning ideas for the participatory budget have been revealed
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ A total of 6316 Tartu residents took part in the participatory budget vote, which took place from 2–8 October, casting a total of 13 177 votes. The most votes were received by idea " Smarter, more user-friendly traffic lights" (1276 votes) and idea "Install food sharing cabinets in every city district" (1188 votes).
In the winning idea “Smarter, more user-friendly traffic lights”, the aim is to make traffic lights more people-friendly through small, smart improvements, focusing on smoother pedestrian movement, as well as pedestrian safety and waiting times.
The idea that placed second, “Install food sharing cabinets in every city district”, proposes adding food sharing cabinets to districts that don’t yet have them and upgrading the existing ones.
Ranking of ideas
• Smarter, more user-friendly traffic lights – 1276 votes
• Install food sharing cabinets in every city district – 1188 votes
• Low adventure trails in Karlova – 1106 votes
• Make bus shelters visible – 1077 votes
• Bicycle lanes on one-way streets – 921 votes.
• Raadi fitness campus and outdoor gym – 816 votes.
• Modernisation of the Põllu Street sports field – 660 votes.
• Antonius Courtyard – always open to everyone! – 649 votes.
• Low adventure trails in Ihaste and Ülejõe – 585 votes.
• A new lease on life for Officers’ Park: a climbing forest, playground, and a community space – 581 votes.
• Climbing wall in Tartu’s public space – 414 votes.
• More radar speed signs – smoother, safer, and quieter traffic – 411 votes.
• The Anne Canal diving tower: a new landmark in Tartu – 399 votes.
• Playground for Lillemägi – 388 votes.
• Jogentaga School and the Anne Youth Centre promote physical activity – 377 votes.
• Changing rooms and swimming pier for the Haage Lake swimming area – 364 votes.
• Picnic areas alongside playgrounds – 360 votes.
• Hammock sunbeds – 359 votes.
• Restore the Art Nouveau garden! – 358 häält.
• Updating of the Ihaste playground – 252 votes.
• Benches along the Ilmatsalu cycle and pedestrian track – a place for us all to rest – 197 votes.
• Swing benches for the whole family by Supilinn Pond – 189 votes.
• Suur Mõisakaar (great winding manor road) – 171 votes.
• Bringing more beauty and greenery to Kvissental – 79 votes.
More information about the content of the ideas is available here: https://www.volis.ee/gvolis/osale/index?kid=14833
Each voter had the opportunity to choose between 24 ideas submitted by fellow city residents, and to cast up to 3 votes. In 2026 at least two of the ideas that received the most votes will be brought to life. The maximum upper limit for one idea is EUR 100,000. The total budget for Tartu’s participative budget is EUR 200,000.
Tartu launched its participatory budget in 2013 and organized it for the thirteenth time this year. So far, twenty-two ideas have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented with the support of the participatory budget.
Further information on the participatory budget: www.tartu.ee/en/participativebudgeting
Last changed 08.10.2025
