Estonia Launches Online Youth Services to Support Vulnerable Groups via Digital Platforms

(Central News Agency reporter You Yao-ru, Vilnius, April 11) To reach young people who are out of school, unemployed, or at risk of falling into such situations, Estonia's Education and Youth Board plans to invest nearly 1 million euros to launch online youth services through social media, online games, and forum platforms, offering support to vulnerable youth.

According to ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting), the Education and Youth Board (Harno) stated that the program targets youth aged 15 to 26, aiming to help them return to the education system or enter the labor market.

Harno noted that although some youth support mechanisms currently exist, many young people in need remain unreachable by the current system.

Some youth do not participate in physical activities and are difficult to reach through traditional social welfare channels, yet they are highly active in digital environments such as social media, online games, and forums. Therefore, the program will establish contact points via platforms including Discord, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and gaming platforms such as Steam, Minecraft, and Roblox.

According to reports, Olav Kersen, youth issues expert at Harno, stated that eligibility for the program does not require complex criteria. It primarily depends on the young person's self-expression of need—for example, long-term school absenteeism, informal employment, or dropping out without plans to return—any of which may qualify them for support. Participants may also choose to remain anonymous.

Harno emphasized that the program will be fully conducted online, with youth workers proactively building visibility and interaction. This includes real-time messaging, gaming platforms, or live streaming to communicate with youth across different regions, offering assistance and counseling.

Previously, online youth services in Estonia were only piloted in a few regions and had not yet formed a comprehensive model. This new initiative will be rolled out nationwide, requiring staff to be familiar with local support networks to effectively refer cases to regional resources.

Reports indicate that nearly 20,000 young people aged 15 to 26 in Estonia currently need or are about to need support. The program aims to reach 2,500 young people over several years, primarily targeting those with only basic education and no vocational or high school qualifications, with a focus on the 15–17 age group. It is estimated that 65% of participants will see improved circumstances six months after the program ends.

According to Harno, the procurement budget for this project is approximately 956,700 euros (about 34.9 million New Taiwan dollars). (Editor: Chen Cheng-gong) 1150611