On 21 January 2026, Latvia’s Minister of Education and Science, Dace Melbārde, met with Nina Hvid Enevoldsen, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, for an introductory courtesy meeting. Building on decades of cooperation between Latvia and the Nordic Council of Ministers, the discussion focused on shared priorities for 2026 and how collaboration could be strengthened in the fields of education and science.
Many of the challenges shaping everyday life – public trust in democratic processes, societal resilience, rapid digital change and young people’s engagement – are increasingly addressed through education. Stronger Nordic-Baltic cooperation can therefore bring practical benefits for Latvia, including improved civic education approaches, shared expertise and broader opportunities for schools, teachers and young people.
A key focus of the meeting was the Signal Elections initiative, implemented together with the European Movement in Latvia, the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Youth Council of Latvia. Partners agreed on the importance of expanding the initiative and supporting schools and teachers in addressing civic and political topics in a confident and constructive manner. The next phase of Signal Elections will be presented at a press event on 28 January, alongside further information on planned teacher support measures.
The meeting also touched upon emerging cooperation areas, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, as well as language learning opportunities linked to Latvia’s ongoing education reform, with interest in exploring the potential for Scandinavian languages to be taught at school as the second foreign language. The participants also positively assessed the latest results of the Nordplus programme, noting the growing engagement of Latvian institutions in Nordic-Baltic educational cooperation – not only as project partners, but increasingly as coordinators driving innovation, mobility and language learning.
Looking ahead, the Minister welcomed regular Nordic-Baltic (NB8) dialogue in education and science and expressed support for widening access to programmes such as Norden 0–30, which could open new pathways for cooperation and exchange among young people across the wider region. Moreover, the Director welcomed the Latvian wish to engage in a more structured Nordic-Baltic cooperation that could enable larger, longer-term programmes with lasting impact.
Next steps include the Signal Elections launch on 28 January, coordination of teacher support activities in the upcoming months and continued discussions on strengthening Nordic-Baltic cooperation in education and science.
Photo: Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia
