Following the completion of the Ministry of Culture’s national research programme project “Latvia’s Cultural Ecosystem as a Resource for National Resilience and Sustainability” / CERS, 11 policy reports developed by researchers at the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) have been published, bringing together the results of three years of research and recommendations for the development of Latvia’s cultural sector. The reports cover a broad range of issues – from the diversity and accessibility of cultural offerings, employment in the cultural and creative industries, and the alignment of cultural education with labour market needs, to the economic impact of culture, digital cultural consumption, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the role of culture in improving quality of life in society. The research findings provide evidence-based information for cultural policymakers, industry professionals and anyone interested.
From 2023 to 2026, researchers from five Latvian scientific institutions carried out the CERS national research programme project, conducting an in-depth analysis of Latvia’s cultural ecosystem, its development trends and its role in strengthening national resilience and sustainability. Particular attention in the research was devoted to the diversity and accessibility of cultural offerings, employment and education of professionals in the cultural and creative industries, the impact of digital technologies, the representation of historical processes in contemporary culture, and the assessment of the social and economic impact of culture.
The policy reports are intended for national and municipal cultural policymakers, managers of cultural organisations, artists, representatives of the creative industries, educational institutions, researchers and other industry professionals. They provide data-based arguments for decision-making, help identify the sector’s development needs, model cultural policy scenarios and encourage discussion about the role of culture in Latvia’s future.
Policy Reports of the CERS National Research Programme Project:
1. Diversity and Accessibility of Cultural Offerings. Assessment of the “Cultural Services Basket” as a Cultural Policy Instrument
The study analyses the diversity, quality and accessibility of cultural offerings across different areas of Latvia, with particular attention to regional differences and the specific cultural needs of various population groups. Based on a representative survey of Latvia’s population and an in-depth study of five municipalities, the barriers to implementing the “cultural services basket” as a cultural policy instrument were assessed, and a new approach to balancing cultural offerings across Latvia’s municipalities was proposed.
Authors: Anda Laķe, Agnese Hermane, Sabīne Ozola and Diāna Mierture.
2. The Role and Interaction of the Public and Private Sectors in Shaping Cultural Offerings in Latvia: Analysis of Sectoral, Regional and Funding Structures
The report analyses the involvement of the public and private sectors in shaping cultural offerings in Latvia, examining sectoral and regional differences as well as the structure of cultural funding. The study provides insight into the roles of different cultural service providers and their interaction with one another.
Author: Edgars Čerkovskis.
3. Report on Employment and Income-Generation Models and Trends in the Cultural and Creative Industries
The study identifies employment and income-generation models among professionals in the cultural and creative industries, analysing forms of work organisation and employment trends characteristic of these sectors. The report provides a basis for assessing the working environment in the cultural and creative industries and the economic situation of professionals.
Authors: Ilona Kunda, Agnese Karlsone and Gints Klāsons.
4. Report on the Alignment of Vocationally Oriented, Vocational Secondary and Higher Cultural Education with Long-Term Labour Market Demand
The study assesses how well cultural education offerings align with the long-term needs of the labour market in the cultural and creative industries, focusing on different levels of vocational education. The report highlights issues concerning the links between the education system and the labour market, as well as the development of professional competences required in the cultural sector.
Authors: Ilona Kunda, Agnese Karlsone and Gints Klāsons.
5. Cross-Sectoral Policy Recommendations for a Methodology Adapted to the Specific Characteristics of the Cultural and Creative Industries for Identifying Labour Market Demand
The policy recommendations focus on the specific characteristics of the labour market in the cultural and creative industries and the need to take these into account when determining demand for professionals and their competences. The proposed recommendations are aimed at improving the methodology for identifying labour market needs so that it more accurately reflects the employment characteristics of the cultural and creative industries.
Authors: Ilona Kunda, Agnese Karlsone and Gints Klāsons.
6. Digital Cultural Consumption Habits of Latvia’s Population
The study analyses the digital cultural consumption habits of Latvia’s population, focusing on the use of digital cultural content, audience choices and online cultural participation. The report provides insight into the role of the digital environment in cultural consumption and its interaction with in-person cultural experiences.
Author: Līga Vinogradova.
More about the research findings
An English-language summary is available: “Digital Cultural Participation in Latvia (Summary)”
7. Report on Cinema Audiences in Latvia: In-Person and Digital Film Consumption Practices
The study analyses the film consumption habits of cinema audiences in Latvia, focusing on cinema attendance and film-viewing practices in the digital environment. The report helps to understand audience choices and changes in film consumption that are important for planning the development of the film industry and audience engagement.
Author: Līga Vinogradova.
8. Preservation of Digital Heritage in the Museum Sector: Regulatory Framework and Practice
The study analyses the regulatory framework and existing practices for preserving digital cultural heritage in Latvia’s museum sector. The report highlights issues related to the long-term preservation of digital heritage and the need for appropriate legal and practical solutions.
Author: Elīna Vikmane.
9. Identifying the Design Economy and Its Role in Latvia’s National Economy
The study analyses the design economy and its role in Latvia’s national economy, focusing on the economic contribution and development potential of the design sector. The report provides a basis for assessing the economic significance of design and strengthening its role in Latvia’s national economy.
Authors: Ieva Zemīte and Baiba Tjarve.
More about the research findings
10. Comparative Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Cultural and Creative Industries
The study assesses the economic impact of the cultural and creative industries, providing data on their contribution to Latvia’s national economy. The report offers a comparative perspective on the economic significance of the cultural and creative industries and provides information to support decision-making in cultural policy and sector development.
Authors: Ilze Judrupa and Ieva Zemīte.
11. The Impact of the Cultural and Creative Industries on Quality of Life and Well-Being in Latvia: Current Situation and Development Potential
The study examines the relationship between the cultural and creative industries and people’s quality of life and well-being, focusing on the social significance of culture and its development potential. The report broadens the perspective on culture’s contribution to society, highlighting its importance not only for economic development but also for improving people’s quality of life.
Authors: Ieva Zemīte, Baiba Tjarve, Ance Kristāla, Inga Surgunte and Agnese Karlsone.
The conclusions and recommendations of the CERS national research programme project’s policy reports were also discussed at the project’s closing conference, “Cultural Research for Our Future Choices”, held in Riga on 9 and 10 September 2026. At the conference, researchers, cultural sector professionals and policymakers discussed how the research findings could be applied in practice and what solutions are needed for the further development of Latvia’s cultural ecosystem.
Watch recordings of the conference presentations and discussions
Over the three years of the CERS national research programme project, 92 researchers participated, including 32 students. The project’s scientific outputs also include 86 scientific publications, eight monographs, four collections of scientific articles and 18 datasets. Publishing the policy reports is an important step in making the knowledge generated within the project available to a wider public and usable in the further development of cultural policy.
About the Project
The national research programme project “Latvia’s Cultural Ecosystem as a Resource for National Resilience and Sustainability” (CERS, No. VPP-MM-LKRVA-2023/1-0001) was implemented from 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2026 by the Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with the Art Academy of Latvia, Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, the National Library of Latvia, and the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia. The project was funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia within the national research programme “Latvian Culture – a Resource for National Development” (2023–2026). The programme is administered by the Latvian Council of Science.
More about the CERS national research programme project: https://www.lka.edu.lv/lv/petnieciba/petijumu-projekti/valsts-petijumu-programmas/cers/
