Latvian Academy of Culture celebrates its first year in the ACE²-EU European University Alliance
It has been one year since the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) joined the ACE²-EU European University Alliance, a year marked by significant institutional development, intensive cooperation, and the launch of new joint initiatives. During this period, we have established the SPACE Centre as an important platform for international collaboration, organised the “Kaleidoscope of Culture” festival in Germany, and developed several joint short-cycle study programmes – three initiated by LAC and two created together with partner universities. LAC representatives have taken part in collaborative research, contributed to guidelines and processes shaping the alliance’s long-term framework, and participated in both staff and student mobilities.
“Over the course of just one year, the ACE²-EU Alliance – through Ace-plorations and different other initiatives – has created vibrant and super-enthusiastic interdisciplinary experiences. In this short time, it has also built a strong and supportive network that empowers lasting academic and personal connections across our institutions. Most importantly, ACE²-EU has really united our different regions and cultures in a way that has fostered genuine friendships, creating bonds that go far beyond the projects themselves.,” says LAC Rector Dāvis Sīmanis, reflecting on the alliance’s first year.
The numbers demonstrate a clear growth in engagement: a 12-member team ensures the implementation of ACE²-EU at LAC, 22 academic staff have taken part in alliance activities, 54 staff and 48 student mobilities have been completed, and 146 applications have been received for joint study programmes. These indicators show that ACE²-EU has already become a meaningful part of LAC’s work – in studies, research, and international cooperation.
A strong foundation has been created for continued development, and in 2026 the SPACE Centre will further expand its offer, providing targeted professional growth opportunities for both staff and students. Staff members will be able to participate in the “Train the Trainers” programme in Portugal, aimed at developing change-management skills and supporting intercultural teams. They will also have the opportunity to join the online Social Think Tank knowledge-interpretation group, designed to strengthen research collaboration and explore topics related to inclusion and multiculturalism, social well-being, dignity and honour, and gender equality.
In 2026, students will benefit from a wide and diverse range of short-cycle study programmes, available on the LAC website: https://lka.edu.lv/lv/starptautiska-sadarbiba/eiropas-universitasu-alianse-ace2-eu/. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Kaleidoscope of Culture” festival in Romania and in the Social Think Tank knowledge-creation workshop in Portugal. Early next year, the ACE_RISE volunteer programme will also be launched, offering 72 volunteer placements. Eight LAC students will have the possibility to go on mobility or engage in local organisations in Latvia, including Rīgas Cirks, Viskaļi, Lastādija, Active Rainbow, and the Latvian Samaritan Association.
Overall, the first year of ACE²-EU has been intense and productive, demonstrating that LAC is not only able to participate but also to significantly shape the alliance’s
development. The year ahead promises even broader cooperation, research, and mobility opportunities, strengthening our shared vision of an inclusive, sustainable, and interdisciplinary European University.
For the coming years of collaboration, Rector Dāvis Sīmanis shares his wish with the entire ACE²-EU community: “My wish for our ACE²-EU community is that, like a bold film crew working closely together and mastering every genre from documentary to avant-garde, we continue to push the boundaries of our collaboration, generating more unexpected visionary ideas and crafting our own brand-new storytelling of academic excellence.”
We express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved, as well as to the Ministry of Culture for its invaluable support.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project 101177596. The ACE²-EU project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Information prepared by
Aija Lūse Communication Expert,
ACE²-EU European University Alliance
Latvian Academy of Culture
