In 2025, the European Commission (EC) launched the international #ChooseEurope initiative, aimed at strengthening Europe’s visibility as an attractive research area and promoting the professional mobility of researchers. The initiative is also supported by the Ministry of Education and Science, highlighting Latvia’s engagement in the international research landscape and the development of an environment open to cooperation.
#ChooseEurope is a European Union–wide initiative presented in May 2025 in Paris by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
It emphasises Europe as a community of values where academic freedom, a stable institutional environment and opportunities for long-term professional development in research are ensured.
The implementation of the initiative is backed by substantial funding: 93.5B EUR under the Horizon Europe programme, along with an additional 500M EUR million allocated for the period from 2025 to 2027. This investment demonstrates the EU’s strategic commitment to advancing research and innovation and strengthening global competitiveness.
The European Research Area is characterised by principles of academic freedom, social security provisions, accessible healthcare and education, as well as a work culture that supports a balance between professional and private life.
Researchers have access to various support instruments, including the EURAXESS platform for job opportunities, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships, and European Research Council grants of up to 2M EUR.
As an EU Member State, Latvia is part of this shared research area. The country offers a research infrastructure, an international working environment and competitive living costs, creating favourable conditions for academic activity and cooperation with international partners. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening ties with the Latvian scientific diaspora.
In September 2025, #ChooseEurope was one of the central topics at the European Research and Innovation Days held in Brussels. Discussions focused on mechanisms for attracting researchers and long-term approaches to retaining talent in Europe, with Latvian representatives actively following these debates.
A digital database for the Latvian scientific diaspora has been established on the researchLatvia portal. It provides an opportunity to maintain professional links with Latvia’s research environment, develop joint projects and strengthen the international visibility of Latvian science.
The value of the platform grows with the number of its users: registered researchers form an interconnected community in which the exchange of knowledge and experience fosters new cooperation opportunities. The international experience of re-emigrated and diaspora researchers represents a significant resource for the development of Latvia’s research landscape.
The #ChooseEurope initiative highlights the openness and diversity of the European Research Area. In Latvia, this approach is reflected in the development of cooperation mechanisms with international and diaspora researchers, regardless of their current professional location.
