Latvia

1. The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027 published by the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers focuses on five priority areas, including digital skills and education, digital security and trust (consumer data protection and secure platforms), and increasing access to telecommunications services and computing. The development of this strategy took into consideration key European policy documents, e.g. the Digital Europe Agenda and the EU Digital Strategy. 

Developing Digital Skills in Education outlines the direction for developing digital skills within the education process. This includes actions to enhance digital competencies at all levels, from basic skills to high-level expertise. Objective: “4.1.1. Promoting Safe Online Practices: The guidelines include measures for digital safety and reliability, ensuring that citizens are protected against harmful content and fostering a safe online environment. Objective: “4.2.4. Innovative and Inclusive Digital Society: The guidelines aim to create an innovative digital society by leveraging digital technologies for education and ensuring inclusive access to digital tools and resources for all citizens. 

2. Education Development Guidelines for 2021-2027, adopted on 22 June 2021, include the integration of education for sustainable development and global education topics in education policy, development of education process and education environment, professional development of teachers, inclusive approach, and more active involvement of stakeholders, including the local level, promoting effective use of resources and civic participation. The implementation of the Guidelines includes measuring the indicator related to the level of students’ civic competence (based on the data of the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study). The Guidelines also emphasize a balanced acquisition of skills relevant to future needs, covering both general or transversal skills (including digital skills, etc.).  

The concept of digitalisation is also mentioned in the Guidelines: 

• development of digital skills as a cross-cutting competence in the society; 

• increasing the offer of e-learning in vocational, higher and adult education, including non-formal education; 

• development and integration of digital learning management platforms, digital learning resources and support materials in the learning process, thereby creating high-performance digital educational ecosystems. 

3. On January 30, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an informative report titled “Strategic Roadmap for Latvia’s Digital Decade until 2030”. This roadmap was developed by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) in collaboration with other relevant ministries. Latvia has prepared the informative report in accordance with the decision of the European Parliament and the Council (EU) 2022/2481, which establishes the Digital Decade policy program. This program outlines general digital objectives and targets to be achieved by 2030, monitors their progress as well as facilitates the development of multi-country projects. 

Sources

1. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
2. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324332-par-izglitibas-attistibas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
3. https://tapportals.mk.gov.lv/legal_acts/82b52f77-febe-4480-ac95-c11eff9c283a  

1. The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027 published by the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers. The Latvian Safer Internet Centre is highlighted in strategy as an organization dedicated to increasing internet safety awareness among children. 
2. In Q3 and Q4 of 2023, the 9th round of the European Union (EU) fund project “Improvement of Professional Competence of Employed Persons” took place, along with related awareness-raising activities specifically focused on digital skills acquisition. Employed individuals aged 25 and above had the opportunity to choose from nearly 200 educational programs, which provided the chance to learn both basic digital skills and to acquire higher-level digital competencies. 
3.  Other initiatives/awareness raising activities: a) My Latvija.lv! Do Digitally!, trained over 6000 Digital Agents(librarians, teachers, civil servants, NGO representatives, and media representatives) across Latvia to help people access e-government services using video tutorials. b) The “Computer for Every Child” initiative aims to provide a computer to every child in Latvia by 2025. It was launched by the President of Latvia 30th January 2023. c) The European School Education Platform offers ‘Digital Citizenship Education and Democratic Participation’ course   

Sources

1. https://drossinternets.lv/lv/info/par-mums
2. https://www.macibaspieaugusajiem.lv/jaunumi/atverta-pieteiksanas-macibam-pieaugusajiem-digitalo-prasmju-izglitibas-programmas 
3. a) https://daridigitaliarhivs.lv/
4. b) https://www.president.lv/en/article/president-latvia-computer-every-child-strategic-initiative-aimed-strengthening-digital-skills-latvian-population-and-closing-digital-gap-latvia?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Feducation-profiles.org%2F  
5. c) https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/networking/projects/148219 

The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027. The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development is tasked with overseeing the implementation and preparing periodic assessment reports.  

According to the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers No 436 (22 July 2021) on the Education Development Guidelines for 2021-2017, the Ministry of Education and Science must submit an interim evaluation report on the implementation of the guidelines by 1 July 2025. 

Other information: 

Latvia is introducing the Education Quality Monitoring System, which is based on statistical information, the results of comparative research, indicators of state level students’ achievements and other indicators of education institutions’ work, centralized examinations, accreditation / licensing, teachers’ work quality, considering mid-term and long-term strategic goals and results. This System aims to provide a comprehensive contribution to policy planning and implementation, including regarding education for sustainable development and global education. 

One of the elements of the Latvian Education Quality Monitoring System is participation in worldwide students’ assessments, including Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 

Latvia also participated in the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study 2022 to acquire the data on students’ civic competence. 8^th grade students participated in the study, whose age at the time of the study was 13-14 years. 

Latvia participated in International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2023. The study measures international differences in students’ computer and information literacy (CIL): their ability to use computers to investigate, create, participate and communicate at home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community. 

Sources

1. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
2. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324332-par-izglitibas-attistibas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
3. https://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/oecd-petijums-latvija-vairums-jeb-93-skolenu-ikdiena-sazinas-divas-vai-vairak-valodas
4. https://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/latvijas-skoleni-jutas-piederigi-eiropai-un-raugas-uz-tas-nakotni-pozitivie

1. The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027. Stakeholders involved in the design of this policy include government institutions (Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, sectoral Ministries, Industry Associations), public and private sector, the research & academia and the civil society. 
2. Education Development Guidelines for 2021-2027: stakeholders involved in the design of this policy document include government institutions (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, sectoral ministries), public and private sector, the research & academia and the civil society.  
3. According to Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No 639 (15 October 2024) on the procedures for public participation in the development planning process, state institutions are required to ensure public participation in the process of development of normative acts and strategic planning documents, and in other initiatives and processes important to society, especially in the process of developing and implementing reforms and public funding planning, providing opportunities for society representatives to obtain information and make proposals about reform or public funding priorities. 

Sources

1. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
2. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324332-par-izglitibas-attistibas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
3. https://m.likumi.lv/ta/id/355632-sabiedribas-lidzdalibas-kartiba-attistibas-planosanas-procesa

1. The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027. Stakeholders involved in the implementation of this policy include various sectoral ministries (Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia, Ministry of Economics of Latvia, Ministry of Culture of Latvia, the Latvian State Employment Agency, Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association, Latvian Open Technology Association, Latvian Confederation of Employers, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), The Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, public and private associations -National Library of Latvia, Latvian IT Cluster. 
2. Education Development Guidelines for 2021-2027: stakeholders involved in the implementation of this policy document include government institutions (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, sectoral ministries, Latvian State Employment Agency, etc.), public and private sector (Latvian Confederation of Employers, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.), the research & academia and the civil society.  

Sources

1. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam  
2. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324332-par-izglitibas-attistibas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam 

1. The Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027: Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development is responsible for preparing and submitting an interim evaluation report. Other stakeholders involved sectoral Ministries, State Chancellery. 
2. Education Development Guidelines for 2021-2027: stakeholders involved in the evaluation of this policy document will include government institutions (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, sectoral ministries, Latvian State Employment Agency, etc.), public and private sector (Latvian Confederation of Employers, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.), the research & academia and the civil society.  

Sources

1. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
2. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324332-par-izglitibas-attistibas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam

1. The International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (IEA ICCS 2022) is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Science and the University of Latvia to measure digital citizenship and civic engagement among students.   
2. Ventspils Digital Centre is a government-established hub dedicated to enhancing digital skills and promoting digital citizenship. The centre offers a variety of IT courses and training programs for different age groups, including socially vulnerable learners, to bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusive access to digital education. Ventspils Digital Centre collaborates with multiple local and international partners to implement its activities. Key collaborators include the Ventspils University College, Ventspils City Council, and international partners like the science centre “VilVite” in Bergen, Norway. These partnerships help enhance digital skills and promote digital citizenship through various training programs and educational workshops. 
3. The “Computer for Every Child” initiative aims to provide a computer to every child in Latvia by 2025. It was launched by the President of Lativia 30th January 2023. “Computer for Every Child” Initiative is a strategic project launched by the President of Latvia. It involves collaboration between various government bodies, including the Ministry of Education and Science, local municipalities, and private sector partners.  
4. The programme “My Latvija.lv! Do Digitally!” was launched in 2018 by Latvian government in order to encourage society, including businesses, to use government e-services and to ensure that maximum wide population is informed about online services offered by the government. 
5. The National Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition in Latvia, known as the eSkills Partnership, was established in March 2013 by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA) and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Developmentof Latvia. The coalition provides a platform for different stakeholders to discuss and execute digital skills development goals for Latvia and to cooperate on joint initiatives​. The coalition works on developing digital skills for all citizens to fully exploit digital services, raising awareness about cybersecurity skills, and promoting safe and responsible use of digital technologies. 
6. The Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LIKTA) is constructing an online platform for information exchange on Digital Skills funded by the EU “European Platform for Digital Skills and Jobs in Latvia Project No. 2020-LV-IA-0217.”  
7. Riga Technical University (RTU) students are starting to approbate 12 study courses aimed at acquiring digital skills in the field of high-performance computing technologies. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate attesting to a high level of digital skills. Study courses have been prepared within the framework of the European Union Recovery Fund project “Development of high-level digital skills in Latvia in the field of high-performance computing” administered by the Ministry of Education and Science. 

Sources

1. https://www.izm.gov.lv/en/article/international-study-will-measure-level-civic-competence-latvian-students?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F  
2. https://www.ventspils.lv/
3. https://www.president.lv/en/article/president-latvia-computer-every-child-strategic-initiative-aimed-strengthening-digital-skills-latvian-population-and-closing-digital-gap-latvia?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Feducation-profiles.org%2F   
4. https://digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu/en/inspiration/good-practices/my-latvijalv-do-digitally
5. https://eprasmes.lv/
6. https://likta.lv/en/home-en/
7. https://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/sak-augsta-limena-digitalo-prasmju-studiju-kursu-aprobaciju

No information found

1. Media literacy expert group (E02541)  
2. Working Group on Digital Education: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) (E03787)   
3.  Commission Expert group for Digital Education Content (E03942) 
4.  Commission Expert Group – Expert group on Safer Internet for Children 
5. Global Education Network Europe (GENE)  
6. Member of INHOPE / INSAFE (Centres from BIK+) network 
7. DiCE.Lang – Digital Citizenship Education and Foreign Language Learning – is a transnational European Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (KA 203) project aiming to strengthen the profile of Digital Citizenship Education vis-à-vis Foreign Language Education. Countries part of this initiative are Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia and Portugal 
8. Member of BECID – Baltic Engagement Centre for Combating Information Disorders 
9. The Digital Citizenship Movement in School Project promotes digital citizenship education in schools. The Erasmus+ strategic project “Digital Citizenship Movement in School” aims to develop the digital citizenship skills of students and their parents through teachers, and to promote a safe digital school policy, getting to know the culture of other nations and improving English language skills. The project is together with Italy and  Türkiye. 
10. The Digital Competences Development System is a consortium of NGOs working to improve digital skills among adults in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Romania, and Spain         
11. Latvia is among the first European countries that have joined the UNESCO and UNICEF Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative. Being part of this community allows to advance the national commitment to raise the profile of Latvia’s digital learning. It is a unique platform to promote access to government-endorsed learning platforms as well as access to structured, curriculum-relevant digital contents. The Gateways also aims to facilitate mutual learning and raise the standard of digital learning globally.   
12. The UNESCO Associated School Project network in Latvia organizes special seminars, workshops and other activities for teachers, principals, students related to different dimensions of global citizenship education and education for sustainable development. The project theme is related to different aspects of value education, environmental education, principles of human rights and promotes safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage.  
13. The Latvian National Commission for UNESCO together with the Ministry of Education and Science coordinates the Advisory Council “Education for All” that focuses on the implementation of the Education 2030 Framework for Action and SDG 4, including the SDG 4.7 on global citizenship and education for sustainable development. The Council facilitates co-operation and coherence of activities between ministries and other institutions, local municipalities, the private sector, non-governmental and international organizations. It provides a discussion platform to promote effective education policy and to ensure inclusive, equitable and high-quality education, lifelong learning and sustainable development. 
14. Member of Commission Working group on Schools 

Sources

1. https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=2541                                                       
2. https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=3787                                                       
3. https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=3942                
4. https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=3624  
5. https://www.gene.eu/members  
6. https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/policy/insafe-inhope  
7. https://www.dicelang.anglistik.uni-muenchen.de/index.html  
8. https://becid.eu/  
9. https://digitalschool.lv/  
10. http://www.dcds-project.eu/dcds-platform/  
11. https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-education/learning-platforms-gateway   
12. https://www.unesco.lv/lv/unesco-asocieto-skolu-tikls 
13. https://www.unesco.lv/lv/konsultativa-padome-izglitiba-visiem 

Training on DCE to teachers and other professionals:
The requirements for teachers are based on the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia No. 569, adopted on 11 September 2018, “Regulations regarding the education and professional qualification required for teachers, and the procedure of teachers’ professional competence improvement”, which define the education and professional qualifications necessary for a teacher and the procedure for the improvement of professional competence of teachers. 

Source: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/301572-noteikumi-par-pedagogiem-nepieciesamo-izglitibu-un-profesionalo-kvalifikaciju-un-pedagogu-profesionalas-kompetences-pilnveides 

In Latvia, digital issues and citizenship education issues are included both in teachers’ initial training and in in-service training (professional development). 

Professional development is an obligatory part of teacher’s work. The National Centre for Education ensures professional development courses for teachers: coursed can be obtained within the state budget or other sources, for example, EU funded projects.  

Some examples of professional development courses for teachers and other training activities: 

• Conference “Digital skills and tools for modern vocational education and training” (June 2022) showcased how digital competence and the use of various digital tools allows teachers to make the learning process more attractive, interactive, inclusive and personalised; 

• Online courses for vocation and training education teachers (October 2022) to learn new methods and tools for teaching and assessing transversal (including digital) competences; 

• Professional development programme “Digital transformation of education institutions” (August – September 2024) aimed to improve the professional competence of the management team of educational institutions in planning and implementing the digital transformation of the educational institution;  

• Conference “Day of ideas” (March 2024) for teachers and schools management, which included best practice from education and technology experts, introduced teachers to specific tools and methods for meaningful technology use in teaching process. 

Source: https://www.visc.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi?category%5B82%5D=82&created%5Bmin%5D=–.–.—-&created%5Bmax%5D=–.–.—-  

Translation and dissemination of DCE Recommendation:
No response from the national authorities in the online survey