A three-day conference, Week of Innovative Regions Europe VI (WIRE VI), is proposed to be held in Riga during the Latvia’s Presidency of the European Union in 2015. The WIRE VI will focus on enhancing research and innovation investment as well as policy efficiency in the context of the new programming period (2014-2020). The WIRE VI will concentrate on the new specific objective of Horizon 2020 on Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation and will pay attention to the newly proposed measures to help address the innovation divide through actions on Teaming, Twinning and ERA Chairs, bringing excellence and innovation to research institutions. The links and synergies of research and innovation policy with Cohesion Policy and the specific tool of clusters will be examined, especially regarding the modalities stemming from the new legislation of the European Structural and Investment Funds. The conference will contribute to research, innovation and regional policy development following the traditions of previous conferences of WIRE series.

The proposal outlines the organisation of the 36th annual summit, European Union Contest for Young Scientists 2025, EUCYS, which is to be held in Riga, Latvia, in September of 2025. The European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) has been hosted in various European nations since 1989 and its main goal has always been to advance science and research across regions. The event highlights the work and the ideas of young researchers, giving them a platform to showcase their passion and interest. It also provides an opportunity for young scientists to connect with their peers and seek perspective from accomplished mentors. EUCYS encourages young scientific talents to share their skills and interests and to receive mentorship from leading scientists in Europe. Through this initiative, EUCYS aims to bolster national and regional efforts to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology. National Centre for Education Republic of Latvia (NCE) is the official host of EUCYS 2025. NCE plans to host young scientists from all over Europe to provide inclusive and encouraging experiences for young and upcoming European scientists. NCE has broad experience organising international educational events that circle around empowerment and education for young people, for example “Future Heroes” girls leadership program and various Erasmus + functions (Green Micro Credentials pathways: Upskill and Reskilling Low Skilled Adults for Lifelong Learning, InClass - Using Telepresence Robots in the Classroom, Good DEEDs - Digital Energy Efficiency Designers, etc.). NCE is a public administration institution directly subordinated to the Minister of Education and Science which is very honored by the opportunity to host EUCYS 2025 in Latvia and welcome science enthusiasts from 40 different countries.

"Project “Experience Exchange between Latvia and Estonia in Developing Occupational Qualifications System"" will promote exchange of experiences and starting new international cooperation between National Centre for Education (VISC) and Sihtasutus Kutsekoda - the institutions that are responsible for development of national sectoral qualification structures, elaboration of occupational standards and register. New experience will promote realization of reforms of vocational education in both countries and exchange of the best practices between the project partners. The project participants will exchange the best practices in developing sectoral occupational systems and in organizing development of occupational standards, in development of methodological materials for these functions. Estonian experience is very important in Latvia realizing the reformation in vocational education in Latvia. This experience corresponds to the needs of reorganization and modernization of VET in Latvia. The project will enhance the reorganization process of contents of VET according to the needs of economic sectors. It is very important to start cooperation between both partnerinstitutions. In Latvia in the reformation of VET the methodology for developing occupational standards is written, 14 sectoral qualification structures, 14 occupational maps have been developed. This experience is important for Estonian partner to learn. Therefore both partners will benefit.Project participants- 3 senior experts form Unit of Vocational curriculum Development who want to exchange experience with the similar institution in Estonia to gain new experience for their work as experts in Sectoral Expert Boards in Chemical Industry and related sectors, Energy industry, Food industry and Agriculture, Tourism and Beauty, Metal Industry, Transport and Logistics.The project participants will participate in the mobility to get experience in developing occupational standards, sectoral qualification structures, the curriculum of VET. The main activities in the project: visiting Sihtasutus Kutsekoda, meeting with the head and employees, sectoral experts who are moderators of occupational standard development groups, exchanging experiences in methodology of writing occupational standards and supervision of Occupational Qualification System and Register, comparison of sectoral qualification systems, methodology and learning the best practices of both countries, visiting VET schools (different profile and size) and social partners - employers' and employees' organizations: Tallinna Tööstushariduskeskus (Industrial Education Centre) http://www.tthk.ee/?id=831, Tallinna Teeninduskool (Tallinn Service School) http://www.teeninduskool.ee/, Pärnumaa Kutsehariduskeskus (Vocational Centre of Pärnu County) http://www.hariduskeskus.ee/component/content/article/66-english/578-introduction-in-english.html, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (http://www.koda.ee/en) in Tallinn.The project experience will be used to improve the work quality of Unit of Vocational Curriculum Development and Sectoral Expert Boards."

"Proposed project ""Introduction Of Dual Education System And Identification Of Its Quality"" (IDES) will be realised by partnership of 5 subjects from 4 countries (Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia).The aim of the project: to strengthen the key practical competences and skills of young people during their study at secondary vocational schools (VET institutions) and also after their graduation to be more competitive and better prepared for labour market in order to better utilize local human resources, to increase economic development of rural areas and to prevent brain drain.Objectives:- To analyse and compare the dual education systems and related experiences of involved, which will result to recommendation for national level decision makers (if necessary, to legislative changes too). - To highlight the perspective of vocational educational training in the form of awareness among the general public - to define steps toward better awareness of VET institutions and their approaches (incl. dual education) among pupils, their parents and companies. Target groups:- young people at final year of primary school, their parents, teachers, students of VET institutions and industry – one of the project objectives is to inform them understand and accept the combination of professional-vocational training and academic training, a.k.a. dual education system, which ultimately drive economic sustainability.- government, regional government – another project objective is to analyse and compare dual education systems in involved countries and to set recommendations for improving the systems for the second target group Most important activities will be finished by production of intellectual outputs:O1 - Comparative analysis of dual education systems of involved countries and country specifics recommendations for policy makers – legislative environment is not optimal for the WBL development. Better motivation of schools and companies (also motivation of potential students) depends on many factors, from which financial, contractual and other legislative conditions are one of most important. Proposals for improvements can be inspired by experiences of all relevant stakeholders, but significant source of inspiration can came from abroad. It is also reason, why project partners were selected from Latvia, Poland and Slovenia. Comparison of dual education systems, together with opinions of relevant stakeholders will provide source for recommendations for improvements in all aspects influencing environment of VET and work-based learning.O2 - Communication strategy and communication tools – in involved countries, there is problem with interest of potential VET trainees in VET institutions and also WBL and dual training system. This problem will be addressed by communication strategy, which will propose communication mix with aim to provide information to potential VET trainees and companies which can join dual education system. Two important communication tools will be also delivered – Videos of best practice examples of working dual education system (3 promo videos per involved country) and Promotional brochure about dual education system with practical examples (country specific).ImpactOutput 1 will be used on regional level and provided to central government. Recommendations will be based on comparative analysis and via established channels and forums transferred to national level with aim of improvement of legislation and other relevant national documents.Output 2 will provide proposal of tools usable by many schools in involved regions. List of tools and details about communication tools will be available for all VET institutions.Training events will also create motivation for activity for participating stakeholders, which will be transferred to local level."

The TOSCA project was based on cooperation between three European countries - Latvia, Estonia and the Netherlands - in organizing the content of vocational education, qualification standards and skills competitions in order to promote the comparability of nationally recognized professional qualifications and ensure their transferability, strengthen the link between the education sector and the labor market, support the development of vocational skills and vocational education and training, as well as to improve the organizational quality of skills competitions at local, national and international levels. One of the main objectives of the Project was to promote stronger coherence between designated EU countries, national skills transparency, and recognition tools, to ensure that skills and qualifications can easily be recognized nationally and across borders.The project aimed to support skills and VET developments in the three project countries, make the cooperation more efficient for the development of test models to be used in local, regional and national skills competitions.Development of online database for approved and mutually evaluated test models was another goal.Four organizations from three EU member countries participated in the project:National Centre for Education (Latvia) is a public administration institution subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science.It organises the development of occupational skills standards; provides organisational and methodological support for the development of the national skills and qualification standards; methodological support to VET schools to develop VET programmes, etc. Foundation Skills Netherlands (Netherlands) – main targets are the promotion of Skills and craftsmanship and the related vocational education. Foundation Innove (Estonia) has the leading role in content development of VET in Estonia and also organizes skills competitions in Estonia and prepares youth for the international skills competitions. European Skills Promotion Organisation, WorldSkills Europe (Netherlands) raises awareness of the importance of professional excellence and high quality vocational education and training for Europe by orchestrating the biennial EuroSkills competition for youth around Europe. Four occupational groups were identified as mutual interest (leading countries in the brackets):1.Fashion Technology (LV)2.Wood working (NL)3.Catering and Restaurant Services (EE)4.Web page and graphic design (EE)Three main activities and several dissemination events were carried out:1.Development of methods for comparison and analyses of occupational standards and development of standardized descriptions of selected skills.2.Standardized test models and assessment toolkits including a description of the relevant skill technical outline, infrastructure list, test project, assessment criteria, recommendations for teachers and potential contests etc.3.Database (https://idt.skillscompetitions.eu/auth/login) to store, systematize and provide access to the developed documentation, available to all partner countries and a demo version of the database available to anyone interested.Dissemination activities and seminars.Major information on project members’ websites, meetings with VET teachers, presentation at WSE meetings, as well as China International Skills Competition. At the end of the project, an international project outcome dissemination conference was organized.Within the first activity of the project (Standardized descriptions of selected skills), eight standardized occupational descriptions of selected skills were developed. Each description includes both a description of the occupation's job responsibilities and information about what the individual needs to know, understand and be able to fulfil. Within the second activity (Standardized test models and assessment toolkits) test models were developed.The test model includes standardized terms of reference for the competition and documents such as standardized occupations/employment descriptions, descriptions of infrastructure, and inventories of materials, tools and equipment necessary etc. as well as the evaluation system (assessment toolkits). The third activity included the development of the database and input of the elaborated materials.The online database, methodology and tools can be used in vocational education institutions to organize the teaching and learning process, also to evaluate the acquired knowledge and skills, to prepare contestants for skills competitions, to organize teachers/trainers competence upgrade activities in any country.The developed documentation in the long run can be used to organize skill competitions at different levels in any country of interest.This could save time and resources to develop documentation for professional competitions, further promoting the creation of a unified understanding, recognition and transferability in VET at transnational level.