Over 12,000 square metres of camouflage nets have been made at the University of Tartu for Ukraine

The new year starts differently for everyone. The start of the year often involves promises, mostly made to ourselves – for example, to exercise more and eat healthily, or to spend more time with family. The list of promises could also include one to find time for charity or to get involved in a voluntary organisation. Such an opportunity is offered at the University of Tartu by MTÜ Aitan Kaitsta (Helping Defend), which brings together volunteers to help Ukraine.

For almost three years, camouflage net weaving for the Ukranian armed forces has been taking place at the Institute of History and Archaeology and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Tartu. It is a calming activity that anyone can do. We are looking for new weavers to join again this year.  

Volunteers can weave camouflage nets and helmet covers at

There is always a supervisor present to give you some initial tips on how to make a good-quality camouflage net with a guaranteed protective function.

In addition to weaving, volunteers have organised campaigns to collect school supplies and toys for civilians, and have sent seasonal children's clothes and footwear to Ukraine, hygiene supplies for the front, non-perishable foods, trench lighters, battery banks and other aid. Bedding, T-shirts and sweatpants have been sent to hospitals. 

In addition, many volunteers knit woollen socks, which are shipped together with the nets. They are still in high demand. Most of the materials come to us from recycling, so the cost of the activity is low. In addition to physical help, donations can be made to the account of MTÜ Aitan Kaitsta EE487700771011351792 (payment description: Tartu konto).

Until 2 February, there is also a campaign during which you can bring residual candle wax to the cardboard box in the lobby of the Jakobi 2 academic building to be used to make candles for trenches. The candles can still have wicks and be in their containers. We collect suitable textile material for the camouflage nets throughout the year, but for the latest information on ongoing collection campaigns, please contact the persons in the above weaving sites. The weavers at Jakobi 2 have their own mailing list (jakobi2.varjevorgud@lists.ut.ee) which anyone can join on Sympa. You can also write to Kristel Kajak (kristel.kajak@ut.ee) to be added in the list.

Camouflage nets have been woven all over Estonia under the auspices of MTÜ Aitan Kaitsta since March 2022. Over 55,000 square metres of camouflage nets and 5,200 helmet covers have been sent to Ukraine so far. The first camouflage nets were sent from the University of Tartu to Ukraine on 13 April 2022. Over 12,599 square metres of camouflage nets and 1,202 helmet covers have since been made at both weaving sites of the university. 

In February last year, European journalists visited Tartu as part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, including the university’s weaving sites. The weaving site at Omicum was covered by the French publication LeDevoir, while snippets of weavers at Philosophicum can be seen in a film by German media channel VDR.