Tallinn's 2024 participatory budgeting vote continues for four more days, with the deadline for casting votes being midnight on Sunday, December 3. As of today, approximately 5,430 Tallinn residents have already voted for their favorite projects.
Yesterday's Ajujaht (Brain Hunt) entrepreneurship competition finale announced the winner of the Tallinn Special Prize, recognizing the technology company Raw Edge for its innovation and eco-friendly approach in the food industry. Raw Edge specializes in developing ultra-low-calorie products that support gut health and overall wellbeing, using fermentation technology.
Tallinn is gearing up for major investments in sports ahead of its designation as the European Capital of Sport in 2025. According to the city’s budget proposal for the next year, the largest investment in sports will be allocated to the renovation of Kadriorg Stadium, along with initiatives to expand exercise and sports facilities throughout the city.
Tallinn is set to continue its support for international conferences, a initiative started last year, with funding for 28 international conferences, several of which will take place in 2024. The budget for this support measure is 275,000 euros.
On Wednesday, December 6, the segment of Gonsiori Street between Reimani and Laikmaa streets will reopen to city centre-bound vehicle traffic, restoring routes to Estonia Boulevard. This section had been closed since April due to the construction of the Old City Harbour tramway. The reopening of this segment, along with the earlier opening of major nearby intersections, significantly improves traffic in the city centre.
Projects aiming to add more greenery to the city and facilities promoting active lifestyles emerged as the winners in Tallinn's 2024 participatory budget vote. One million euros have been set aside in the budget for the realization of these projects.
For the upcoming year, Tallinn's budget allocates nearly 396 million euros for educational operations, representing almost 41% of the total operating costs. The primary focuses include the transition to Estonian-language education, increased investment, and raising the minimum wage for teachers.
Tallinn’s social sector budget for 2024 prioritizes providing need-based services and support to its residents, ensuring social well-being. The budget allocates €121.9 million for operational costs and €9.7 million for investments. Operational expenses in the social sector are set to increase by 22%, with enhanced support for the elderly and children. The 2024 budget for Tallinn awaits approval by the City Council.
Tallinn has shown progress in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) 2023 analysis, a program renowned as the most reliable benchmarking and improvement tool in tourism sustainability. Since joining the program in 2021, Tallinn has consistently improved its performance. Today, it surpasses the average scores of cities in North America, Eastern and Western Europe, and also ranks higher than any other city in Eastern Europe in individual assessments.