In cooperation with the project partners – Trondheim Science Center in Norway and Daugavpils University – the city council plans to create an interactive environment and new skills and knowledge opportunities not only for pupils and students, but also for education specialists, developing their competencies and knowledge STEM – technology, engineering and mathematics – scientific fields.
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“I am convinced that the establishment of the Daugavpils Innovation Center is a significant investment in the possibility to create a space in the city for exciting cognition and popularization of various fields of science in the audience of children and youth,” said VIAA director Dita Traidās.
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According to her, youth interest and science centers in Latvia are currently developing rapidly, and the new center in Daugavpils will become a modern and creative education space for the city and all residents of Latgale region, as well as guests of the city.
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Over three years, the Innovation Center plans to create various interest education programs, activities and classes, thematic expositions, experience exchange visits and seminars, workshops, co-creation spaces, public and out-of-center events for children and youth. The activities are expected to increase curiosity about entrepreneurship and career choices in STEM areas.
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The project “Establishment of the Innovation Center in Daugavpils” will be implemented in the existing building of the Daugavpils Innovation Center, where renovation is planned.
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“I am really pleased that very soon the building, which is significant for several generations of Daugavpils, will be renovated and will be home to the renovated and expanded innovation center,” said Igors Prelatovs, Chairman of Daugavpils City Council (“Our Party”).
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According to him, the new center will broaden the horizons of young people and open new opportunities for choosing a profession, as children and young people will have a place to develop skills and abilities, as well as learn about the complex but very important field of business in an interesting and accessible way.
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The project “Establishment of an Innovation Center in Daugavpils” is funded by the European Economic Area and Norway grant program “Research and Education”. Its total costs are 2,011,605 euros, of which 1,538,877 euros are Norwegian grant funding, 271,567 euros are Latvian state budget co-financing, and 201,161 euros are municipal money investment.
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