Latvian senior policy professionals participate in high-level Digital Leaders training

Between September 29 and October 2, the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu proudly hosted a high-level Digital Leaders training program, welcoming a delegation of Latvian senior public sector professionals. The training was the result of a concerted effort of the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, Vidzemes University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), and the University of Jyväskylä (Finland).

The training program brought together fifteen Latvian high-level public professionals from key Latvian public institutions, including the State Chancellery, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, the State Employment Agency, Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Internal Security Office.

During the visit to Tartu and under the energetic supervision of University of Jyväskulä’s professor Tuure Tuunanen, participants were challenged to design innovative digital public services for their respective agencies. The training also featured lectures and case studies on international digital policy trends and innovative applications, delivered by Dr Mihkel Solvak and visiting professor Dr Vincent Homburg of the Johan Skytte Institute. Insights from the ECePS ERA Chair project played a pivotal role in shaping discussions on the future of digital governance in Latvia. Thanks to Varje Kuut’s unwavering dedication and support, the event unfolded with flawless precision.

After four days of collaborative work, five prototype digital services were presented in the form of visual mockups. These concepts will be further refined in Latvia with the support of experienced professionals, with the goal of implementing them within the Latvian public sector.

The Johan Skytte Institute will again participate in the training of a new cohort of Latvian senior professionals in Jyväskylä in November 2025, with which it reinforces its commitment to advancing digital transformation in public administration.

Dr Kristiina Tõnnisson, director of the Johan Skytte Institute, commented: “This Digital Leaders program has brought together Estonian and Finnish academics and Latvian professionals who are at the forefront of shaping Latvia’s digital future. I am thrilled to see the societal impact of the Johan Skytte Institute’s body of knowledge that the ECePS ERA Chair project has contributed to, and I am looking forward to developing this and other partnerships with European academic and government institutions. This training program marks an important step in demonstrating how research excellence and life-long learning can be effectively combined.”