City of Tallinn

🔷 MELT Innovation Forum 2025 asked: how can Estonian businesses succeed globally? 🔷 On April 15, The Creative Hub hosted a day of ideas, tools and inspiration to help local companies grow beyond borders and thrive on the world stage. Looking back at the day, some ideas truly resonated: 🌍Succeeding globally isn’t about copy-paste. What works in Estonia won’t necessarily work elsewhere. Markets are different. Expectations are different. 🔑 Those who adapt — who solve problems in new contexts — are the ones who grow. 🙌 Yes, modesty is in our nature. But modesty won’t sell our stories. Our products, our values, our brands — they’re strong. 🗣️ Let’s speak about them with confidence. Let’s tell our stories boldly. 🎼 And why not, alongside the beautiful minimalism of Arvo Pärt’s tintinnabuli, let your wilder side out from time to time — just like Tommy Cash does? The event was organized by Tallinna ettevõtluskeskus/ Tallinn Enterprise Centre, Tallinna Ettevõtlusinkubaator / Tallinn Business Incubator & Tehnopol.

🔹 According to Swedish analyst Christopher Lyrhem, keynote speaker at MELT Innovation Forum 2025, emerging technologies such as self-driving cars, robotics, renewable materials, and the widespread use of artificial intelligence are set to significantly reshape the principles of how economies function. 🔹 Lyrhem predicts that the adoption of #AI is likely to lead to the next industrial revolution, transforming how and where physical products are made—and even what those products are. 🚀 While this shift brings new opportunities for businesses across Europe and beyond, it also means that old business models may no longer apply. As with previous turning points in history, today’s most successful strategies could soon become obsolete. 🔗With the theme "Growth begins with exports: How to take Estonian companies to the global market?", the MELT Innovation Forum will explore various aspects of international expansion. More than 20 entrepreneurs and experts will take the stage to discuss export opportunities and challenges. The 10th MELT Innovation Forum takes place on 15 April at Tallinn Creative Hub. 🎟️ Don’t miss out — get your ticket now: melt.ee

Helping frogs cross safely – Tallinn closes street for spring migration 🐸 Each spring, thousands of frogs and newts cross Astangu Street in Tallinn to reach nearby ponds for spawning. To protect these amphibians during their peak migration period, Tallinn will close a section of Astangu Street to traffic nightly from 4 April to 2 May between 21:00 and 05:00. 🔹 Astangu is one of Estonia’s busiest amphibian migration sites 🔹 Even light traffic can result in mass fatalities 🔹 Amphibians play a key role in maintaining ecosystem balance Volunteers have supported safe crossings for years, but a long-term solution is in the works — #Tallinn plans to build amphibian tunnels under the road in the near future. This seasonal traffic closure is a small but meaningful way to protect biodiversity in the city. 🌿🐸

Tallinn empowers citizens to shape their city 💡 Through the participatory budgeting initiative “A City Created Together”, every #Tallinn resident can propose concrete ideas to improve their district — from new playgrounds to green spaces or sports facilities. 📅 Submissions are open until 14 April. The most popular ideas will be implemented by the city following a public vote. 🌐 More info: koosloodudlinn.tallinn.ee Pictured: community saunas by Lake Harku, built as part of the initiative in 2023.

🌍 Explore Estonia’s most exciting innovations at MELT The 10th MELT Innovation Forum brings together entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders to discuss global business growth, exports, and innovation. 🚀 One of the highlights is the demo area, where some of Estonia’s most forward-thinking companies showcase their products and services. A great opportunity to get inspired and discover what’s next in tech, design, and beyond. 📅 15 April at Tallinn Creative Hub/ Kultuurikatel! 🎟️ Don’t miss out — get your ticket now: https://melt.ee

🌍 Tallinn joins the path to Zero Waste! ♻️ 🎉 We’re glad to announce that Tallinn has become the first European capital to join the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) Certification as a Zero Waste Candidate City. ✅ What does becoming a Candidate City mean? Tallinn will now work with MiZA experts to evaluate current systems, set measurable goals, and implement practical actions that reduce waste and scale up circular practices across the city. 🌱 Key targets ahead: • Achieve 66% separate collection by 2026 • Reach 65% recycling rate by 2035 • Reduce landfill disposal to below 5% by 2026 • Phase out incineration of unsorted waste 🔗 Read more about the programme here: https://lnkd.in/dvfS7P9j

🔷 European city leaders express support for the Mayor of Istanbul The Mayor of Tallinn, alongside mayors of other European capitals and major cities, has signed a joint statement expressing support for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was recently arrested by the Turkish authorities. The protest letter — initiated by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo — condemns efforts to suppress local democracy and silence political opposition ahead of Turkey’s presidential elections. The signatories call for: • The immediate release of Mayor İmamoğlu • An end to political pressure and attacks on local freedoms • Full respect for democratic rights and human freedoms in Turkey Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and main rival to President Erdoğan in the upcoming elections, was detained on 19 March under politically motivated charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorism. 👉 Read the full declaration and list of signatories here: https://lnkd.in/dQJqvMiq

🌍💡Tallinn and Valencia join forces to Hack the Future! On 20–21 May, Tallinn will host HACK THE FUTURE, an international hackathon that brings together bold innovators to develop groundbreaking solutions for more sustainable and resilient cities — with the goal of implementing them in Valencia. 📍 Location: Energy Discovery Centre/Energia avastuskeskus 🎯 Hack the Future is an official Latitude59 side event The program is brought to you by e-Residency and Startup Valencia, in collaboration with the City of Valencia, the City of Tallinn, and Garage48. 💡 Focus areas include: • Circular economy • Smart mobility & infrastructure • Public space recovery • Digital transformation • Tourism-driven economic recovery 💶 The top 3 teams will receive up to €50,000 in funding and the chance to pilot their solutions in Valencia, with global exposure at VDS 2025. 👉 Applications open until 30 April: https://lnkd.in/dM9jTqNT Be part of shaping tomorrow’s cities — starting here in #Tallinn.

💻 Programming enters Tallinn schools Starting this autumn, ten Tallinn schools will offer programming courses developed by kood/Jõhvi. The self-directed courses cover programming basics, web development, and data analysis — giving students a flexible and hands-on introduction to digital skills. The idea is simple: make coding more accessible and give students a head start in digital skills that actually matter in the real world. #TallinnEstonia

📢 Calling all Tallinn-based entrepreneurs! Are you looking to expand your business, adopt new digital solutions, or break into international markets? The City of Tallinn offers targeted support to help local entrepreneurs grow and thrive. 💡 Whether you're a startup or a growing small enterprise, Tallinn's business support services and grants are designed specifically for you. ✅ What’s available? Business counseling and expert guidance Digital solutions grant for small enterprises Foreign trade fair grant to support international exposure Internship instructor grant to grow future talent Support for hosting international conferences Test in Tallinn – support for piloting innovation Explore all available services and funding opportunities here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dps8d4CS