Hobby Education Conference 2026: Boundless Hobby Education in Cosmos — What Limits or Opens Access to Cosmos?

13.11.2026 at the Narva campus of Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Centre

We invite leaders and practitioners from the education and youth sectors to Narva to discuss how hobby education supports young people on their path to vocational skills and mastery, and which barriers need to be overcome quickly along the way.

At this year’s conference, we will discuss and seek answers to these questions: Does hobby education support young people in vocational education, and if so, how? How important is knowledge of Estonian in (hobby) education? What are the obstacles and problems, and how can they be solved? Who should solve them?

This is a meeting place to pause and take an honest look at reality: does hobby education actually support young people in vocational education, and if so, how? Where do we connect with general education, and which obstacles need to be addressed together? Our discussions will draw on both emerging trends (including the Estonian Human Development Report 2026) and the experiences of those in the room, while keeping one focus: how young people genuinely benefit from all of this.

We welcome the following people to share their thoughts and take part in the discussion:

**Hobby-school teachers, heads of studies and school leaders**
To discuss how interests and practical or technical skills nurtured at hobby schools can pave the way for young people’s further studies—and how to build better connections with vocational and general education without talking past one another.

**Vocational and general education teachers and leaders**
To identify ways hobby education can support young people’s persistence and motivation to learn, help break down language barriers, and support their path towards a profession.

**Local government education and youth-work leaders and specialists**
To see the whole picture of young people’s educational journeys in their area: where, through lack of awareness, we duplicate resources, where gaps arise, and what we can change locally right away.

**Decision-makers and implementers from ministries, agencies and other state organisations**
To hear perspectives directly from the grassroots: which obstacles stem from the system, who should take responsibility for what, and how policy supports young people in real life, not just on paper.

A discount is available for groups of at least 4 people. Discount codes have been sent to the mailing list for participants from EHKL member schools.

Information: https://huvihariduskonverents.ee/

Registration is open until 06.11.2026 at 23:59, or while places remain!

**Terms of participation**

Attendance is by pre-registration and subject to the requirements in force at the time of the conference. Tickets for the 2026 Hobby Education Conference cannot be purchased at the venue. All requests to attend must be registered by 06.11.2026 at 23:59, and invoices issued on the basis of registration must be paid by their due date.

**SUBSTITUTING A PARTICIPANT:** If you are unable to attend the hobby education conference and the cancellation deadline has passed (registration has closed), you may transfer your place to a colleague or another interested person by finding a substitute. Please send the substitute’s name and details to info@huvikoolideliit.ee no later than 11.11.2026.

**CANCELLING YOUR ATTENDANCE:** You may cancel your attendance until 05.11.2026 at 23:59 by notifying us in writing at info@huvikoolideliit.ee. Your cancellation will be confirmed by a reply acknowledging receipt of your notice. You may also initiate a ticket refund through Fienta until 05.11.2026 at 23:59.

If the organisers receive your notice before registration closes and you receive an email confirming your cancellation, your participation fee may be refunded or a credit invoice issued. If you notify us later or forget to do so, the participation fee will not be refunded and 100% of the invoice will remain payable.

The organiser may take photographs and video recordings at the event and share them with participants and in public media channels, as well as use them to promote similar events.