When we travelled to Tallinn, we expected to learn. What we found was a city, and a country, of doers. Estonia radiates a unique blend of humility and ambition: a culture where people don’t just talk about the future, they build it step by step, prototype by prototype, policy by policy. What impressed us most was not perfection, but the progress. Tallinn is honest about where it stands. They know they are not finished, not even close. That is exactly what makes their journey so compelling.
Every conversation, every location we visited carried the same underlying message: ambition only matters when it becomes tangible for people. Whether through digital public services, new concepts, workplace wellbeing programmes or urban innovation districts, Tallinn continually shows how ideas can be transformed into something real, visible and meaningful for its citizens. It is a city working hard, every day, to shape its own future.
Ülemiste City, for example, is far more than an innovation district. It is a living demonstration of what can happen when strategy meets execution. It breathes experimentation, new developments and human-centred design. Across the city we saw people who are not just imagining tomorrow, but actively building it in ways that are measurable, scalable and grounded in daily life.
This trip was also a mirror for us at the European Sports and Wellbeing Alliance for Municipalities, a reflection of what becomes possible when European cultures collaborate. It challenged us to sharpen our own vision, to rethink how we work with organisations and municipalities and to strengthen our commitment to sports and wellbeing as a cornerstone of thriving communities.
There are two individuals who played a crucial role in giving us access to this world of doers. Alo Lõoke of the Estonian Competence Center of Physical Activity and Tarvi Pürn of the City of Tallinn curated a program that didn’t just inform us. Their openness, dedication and relentless drive reflect exactly what makes Estonia special. Their work embodies the spirit of a nation that is building its future with focus and courage. They can be profoundly proud of what they are creating in Tallinn and across Estonia. I look forward to their progression with the Estonian ambitions of 2035, when they are the most active nation in Europe.
As you explore this eMagazine, I encourage you to read between the lines and see the energy of a city that refuses to stand still. See how ambition becomes reality when collaboration is strong and when innovation is not a slogan but a daily practice.
To everyone who joined us on this journey: thank you for your curiosity and your engagement. And to Tallinn: thank you for reminding us what becomes possible when a city chooses to build. Not only for today, but for generations to come. For now, grab a coffee (or tea or water), get comfy and enjoy the read!
Arno Hermans
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