One year after taking office in April 2024, the Tallinn City Government marks its first full year of work. Over the past year, the city has launched a number of major reforms to improve management efficiency, make public services more accessible and of higher quality, increase transparency, and invest strategically in the living environment and civil protection.
“A year ago, we set a shared goal within the city government to turn a new page in how Tallinn is governed,” said Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski. “Over the past year, we’ve launched a number of ambitious reforms to ensure that the city is run wisely, honestly, and effectively. Many of these reforms have already been implemented and are showing positive results, while several major changes are still in preparation. Of course, it’s not possible to solve all long-standing problems in just one year, but together with colleagues across all departments, we are working every day to ensure that Tallinn is governed in a way worthy of a global city– with openness, integrity, and real results.”
Smarter city management and cost efficiency
Tallinn has completed a major reform of its management system. For the first time, clear principles have been established for the city’s participation in companies and organisations.
First, ownership expectations have been approved for the business incubator and AS Tallinna Arendused. This spring, the city will launch a new data-driven dashboard to support more effective planning and decision-making.
In 2024, structural changes and optimisation of staff posts resulted in €3.2 million in savings – including through the closure of the municipal media unit.
Record investments in education
In 2025, education investments will total €418 million – nearly 40% of the city’s budget. From 1 September, the minimum salary for qualified teachers will rise to €1,920, with a €10 million investment in teacher pay. The transition to Estonian-language education is supported with €8.8 million.
The city has opened new kindergartens, and construction and renovation continue in multiple schools and nurseries, with total investments reaching €100 million.
Additional investments in children’s well-being include free breakfast and lunch for all students, and one educational field trip per year. From September, class sizes for Year 1 students will be capped at 24 to support a better learning environment. School stadiums and sports fields remain open for public use. As of April, kindergarten fees are fixed at €50 per month.
Expanded civil protection capacity
A structural reform of the Municipal Police has increased patrolling and civil protection capabilities. The Rescue Board has rated Tallinn’s crisis preparedness at the highest possible level since 2022 – confirming the city’s capacity to respond even to complex emergencies.
Tallinn is currently prepared to provide essential support to more than 2,000 people for a 72-hour period, with capacity set to grow to 5,000 by the end of the year. A citywide sheltering plan and a support scheme for housing associations to create shelter spaces and acquire emergency supplies are in development.
More support for families and seniors
From 1 May, Tallinn will consolidate child protection services under unified leadership to ensure stronger support for families.
Birth grants have been increased: to €350 for one child, €1,000 for twins, and €6,500 for three or more children.
The city continues to expand family-friendly services, including a growing network of parental guidance centers (Perepesa), offering advice and support to expectant and new parents.
To ensure the availability of care services, the co-payment cap for nursing homes has increased to €856, aligning with the average pension. The city will also consolidate service structures, including launching a new Home Services Centre in June and merging day care services into Iru Care Home.
A more strategic, data-driven city space
To strengthen the city’s spatial development, the position of City Architect has been restored and planning procedures accelerated. In Q1 2025, Tallinn issued 20 planning decisions – double the number from last year and four times more than in the same period in 2023.
City planning is increasingly supported by data-driven tools, including a mapping application to assess kindergarten locations and space needs. The new Old Town development plan is complete, and the draft general plan for Põhja-Tallinn will be published soon.
Smoother traffic and modern public transport
The green wave system on Liivalaia Street has reduced travel time by up to seven minutes for drivers, while improving safety for pedestrians. Lowering speed limits has also contributed to an increased sense of safety among road users.
A major reform of the public transport network has improved connections between districts and enabled better transfers.
By 2026, 40 new trolleybuses will be added, and the trolley infrastructure will be fully renewed. Tallinn’s fleet now includes modern PESA trams and 100% biomethane-powered buses, bringing the city closer to clean public transport.
Greener, better-maintained city
Tallinn has upgraded 8,000 streetlights to LED technology, added 60 km of sidewalks to its maintenance network, and is installing new benches and waste bins.
In spring, 1,800 trees will be planted, with the total reaching up to 3,500 by the end of the year to make the city greener and improve the living environment.
The Urban Environment and Public Works Department has accelerated design procedures and improved work processes. To better coordinate projects, contracts have been updated and mapping tools introduced.
The city also supports apartment associations in transitioning to district heating and modernising courtyards to promote energy efficiency and enhance quality of life.
Infrastructure that improves quality of life
Tallinn is developing urban infrastructure to promote sustainability and improve quality of life. In Lasnamäe, the city is building a swimming pool that meets international standards, a circular economy centre, and a social welfare building. In Mustamäe, a public service centre is being developed. The Kristiine circular economy centre and the Kadriorg Orangery have been completed, and the renovated Tallinn City Theatre will open in the near future. The modernisation of school and kindergarten infrastructure is ongoing.
The Tallinn Property Department has initiated a detailed planning proposal for Linnahall, with the aim of shaping the city centre of Tallinn into a cohesive and appealing urban centre.
The development of Tallinn’s housing policy is based on an analysis prepared by the University of Tartu and the Estonian Academy of Arts, which examines the challenges of affordable housing and proposes possible solutions.
Innovation, circular economy, and tourism growth
Tallinn has expanded partnerships with companies and cities in Finland, Germany, Spain, and Canada. In 2024, 16 projects were tested through the “Test in Tallinn” programme, bringing the total to 28.
Innovation is also supported through circular economy initiatives: Estonia’s first circular economy centre opened in Lilleküla, and a larger facility is planned in Lasnamäe, covering up to a quarter of the city’s population. The centres support innovation and circular economy-based entrepreneurship.
Tallinn’s international visibility is also growing through tourism. In 2024, the number of foreign visitors rose by 7%, reaching 3.18 million visits and 3.31 million overnight stays – with the largest increases from Germany, the UK, the US, and Asia.
Culture and sports for all
Since 2025, every Tallinn school class and kindergarten group can visit a cultural institution for free once a year through the new youth culture ticket programme. The programme has a budget of €550,000.
To streamline sports facility management, the city has established the Tallinna Spordikeskus, uniting 7 centres and over 20 sports buildings.
Additionally, a new three-year operating support system has been launched for cultural institutions, offering independent organisers a more stable and sustainable operating model.
Source: tallinn.ee