UNESCO Learning CityVentspilsLatvia
Ventspils, located in Latvia, was inducted into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022.
Mr Janis VitolinsMayor of Ventspils
"Welcome to Ventspils, the city where we respect the past, think about tomorrow, and work efficiently today. Dear friends, we are honoured to be part of UNESCO Global Network of Learning cities and take on new challenges together with almost 300 other cities."
A diverse municipality
Ventspils is a small city with a modern port, innovative factories and beaches. In terms of economy, the main sectors are transport and communication, wholesale, retail, motor vehicle repair, manufacturing and tourism.
Mr Janis VitolinsMayor of Ventspils
"In Ventspils, appropriate 21st century education is available to every inhabitant: modern schools and a variety of costless interest groups of children, well equipped technical school and the University of Applied Sciences for youth, as well as lifelong learning programmes for adults. We are interested in sharing the unique knowledge, experience, results, and ideas of our recent educational projects. We are interested in sharing Ventspils’ experience in STEM and space education. We will be happy to make new friends and establish successful partnerships with other learning cities in Europe and the world."
Inclusive learning
Ventspils promotes inclusive learning in the local education system. As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, it hopes to engage in peer learning with other member cities through cooperation and collaboration. Moreover, it is interested in sharing with learning cities the NextGen Microcities project, which addresses issues related to brain drain, reskilling, job creation and ways to attract more students to the city.
Sustainability and health in Venspils
Ventspils’ development programme for 2021–2027 promotes healthy lifestyles, social responsibility and public participation. Its environmental education initiatives promote ‘green thinking’ and activities related to healthy and nature-friendly lifestyles.
Promoting equity and inclusion
One of the city’s strategic goals is to ensure inclusive and supportive learning opportunities based on individual and differentiated approaches.
The Business Support Centre offers ICT trainings to tackle the digital divide, and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences offers professional higher education programmes with flexible study paths to individuals who are working, creating retraining opportunities.
The Business Support Centre offers ICT trainings to tackle the digital divide, and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences offers professional higher education programmes with flexible study paths to individuals who are working, creating retraining opportunities.
Ventspils’ commitment to decent work and entrepreneurship
To ensure educational programmes match the needs of contemporary market demand, the city focuses on learning opportunities related to the ICT industry. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is an internationally recognized centre of higher education in sciences, and Ventspils Vocational Technical School supports professional education.
Mr Janis VitolinsMayor of Ventspils
"Citizens of all ages and groups are involved in environmental education. It is also included in the daily educational process starting from preschools. As the highest evaluation for the Municipality, the Blue Flag has been awarded to the Ventspils City Beach for 23 years in a row."
Ventspils’ good practices NextGen Microcities project
As part of the NextGen Microcities project, Ventspils is promoting global and digital potential through career development support, talent scouting, intergenerational marketing in educational institutions, innovative educational technologies and the championing of twenty-first century skills.
Ventspils’ good practices Ventspils Science and Innovation Centre (VIZIUM)
VIZIUM opened for visitors in the summer of 2022 and features more than 80 unique interactive exhibits centred on physics, chemistry, geography, mathematics and other fields of natural sciences.
Ventspils’ good practices ICT in education
A programme for the acquisition of computer skills was implemented in 2015 and aims to stimulate interest in information and communication technologies among students. In this context, Ventspils Digital Centre develops education classes in four main areas: 3D technologies, games development, digital housekeeping and virtual reality.
Mr Janis VitolinsMayor of Ventspils
"Activities and projects implemented in Ventspils always contribute to everyone's personal growth and development. The entire infrastructure of the city invites people to come out of their homes, be together, and learn."
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: SRoman Babakin/Shutterstock.com; City of Ventspils; Roman Babakin/Getty Images; City of Ventspils; MontaBlaze; Ratikova/Shutterstock.com; Elena11/Shutterstock.com; industryviews/Shutterstock.com; City of Ventspils; g-stock studios/Shutterstock.com; MontaBlaze; OskarsJura; City of Ventspils
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: SRoman Babakin/Shutterstock.com; City of Ventspils; Roman Babakin/Getty Images; City of Ventspils; MontaBlaze; Ratikova/Shutterstock.com; Elena11/Shutterstock.com; industryviews/Shutterstock.com; City of Ventspils; g-stock studios/Shutterstock.com; MontaBlaze; OskarsJura; City of Ventspils
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Ventspils
Mr Janis Vitolins
A diverse municipality
Mr Janis Vitolins
Inclusive learning
Sustainability and health in Venspils
Promoting equity and inclusion
Ventspils’ commitment to decent work and entrepreneurship
Mr Janis Vitolins
NextGen Microcities project
Ventspils Science and Innovation Centre (VIZIUM)
ICT in education
Mr Janis Vitolins
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities