A new initiative funded by the European Union aims to bolster digital skills within Latvia’s media sector. The project, operating under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, will provide training and resources to media professionals across the country.
The “Latvijas Mediju nozares kompetenču centrs” – or Latvian Media Industry Competence Centre – is designed to enhance the digital literacy and media expertise of industry specialists. The project as well seeks to support the sustainability of local media content creators, maintain a diverse media landscape, and strengthen resilience against disinformation.
The initiative, formally known as investment 2.2.1.5.i within the EU’s 2.2.1.5.i investment plan for “Promoting the Digital Transformation of the Media Sector,” will focus on training programs to improve the digital competencies and knowledge of media professionals. It falls under the broader measure of “Training for Enhancing the Digital Competencies and Knowledge of Media Industry Specialists.”
With a budget of 2,000,000 EUR, the project is scheduled to run from November 21, 2024, to June 30, 2026. SIA “KOMERCIZGLĪTĪBAS CENTRS” is the implementing organization, working in partnership with Vidzemes Augstskola (Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences) and the Baltic Media Excellence Centre.
The Latvian Media Industry Competence Centre plans to announce a call for applications from Latvian media organizations by January 31, 2025, offering financial and non-financial support to selected applicants. The centre aims to upskill at least 202 media professionals across a minimum of 22 media companies. Recent training sessions have already covered topics such as video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, mobile journalism, and cybersecurity fundamentals for media workers. The project also hosted a hackathon focused on media innovation using artificial intelligence.
This effort to modernize Latvia’s media sector underscores the growing importance of digital skills in a rapidly evolving information environment. The initiative aims to ensure Latvian media organizations can adapt to new technologies and maintain a competitive edge.
