Vocational Secondary School "Victoria" — Taking Part in an ESF+ Project

Vocational Secondary School "Victoria" is taking part as a cooperation partner in a large-scale national ESF+ project aimed at broadening our students' learning experience, connecting theoretical knowledge with practical experience, and helping young people make more informed choices about their future education and careers.

About the project
Full project title: ESF+ project "STEM un pilsoniskās līdzdalības norises plašākai izglītības pieredzei un karjeras izvēlei" (STEM and Civic Participation Activities for a Broader Educational Experience and Career Choice), No. 4.2.2.1/1/25/I/001.
The lead implementing body and beneficiary is the State Education Development Agency (VIAA). As a cooperation partner, Vocational Secondary School "Victoria" plans the practical activities and arranges students' participation in them.

Project aim
The project gives young people the opportunity to take part in practical, educational activities in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — and in civic participation activities.

These activities help to:

1. connect classroom theory more effectively with practical experience;
2. build understanding of the demands and opportunities of the labour market;
3. introduce students to a range of professions and industries;
4. support well-considered choices about further education and careers.

What this means for our students in 2026/2027?

1. Two educational activities during the school year
   In 2026/2027, every student will have the opportunity to take part in two project activities.
2. Activities from a catalogue approved by VIAA
   Activities are selected from the catalogue available within the project. In August 2026 the catalogue included 106 activities: 64 in STEM and 42 in civic participation.
3. Funding for students' participation
   The costs of the activities are covered in accordance with the funding rules set out in the project. The final cost of a single activity per student may not exceed EUR 10, and the amount can vary depending on the format of the activity and the resources it uses.

Key developments in 2026/2027

The project has been extended until 31 August 2029.

For our students, this means the chance to learn outside the usual classroom setting, to experience STEM and civic participation in practice, to gain new experience and to develop a clearer sense of their future education and career options.