Virtual community

Kursors.lv is one of the most used Latvian platforms when we talk about skills and digital technologies.

Originally launched in February 2014 as a technology news portal in Latvia, the goal of Kursors.lv is to inform Latvian citizens on all key digital developments in Latvia, and in the world. Since its launch, the online portal, available in Latvian language, has brought together several previous tech news projects (androids.lv, AboluBlogs.lv and WindowsPhone.lv, and the tech blog krizdabz.lv.).

Context and background

News, posted on the portal, are not limited to day-to-day tech news only. Instead, there is a vast world of knowledge for any user, interested to know more about the latest trends in tech. Reviews of the latest technologies and various solutions are also regularly published on the portal. In these reviews, independent observations and tests are carried out to compare, for example, the speeds of mobile Internet services in the networks of different providers, or electric car comparison tests.

From news and interviews, to reliable overviews that take you from one device to another (or one topic to the next). Get to know the latest mobile devices, computers, software, and other tech news themes, and dive into relevant, bite-sized insights into the technology developments in Latvia, and all over the world.

Users are encouraged to share their views on tech topics of interest and engage in a debate and knowledge-exchange in a virtual community powered by Discord that supports bringing together new professionals from the ICT sector in Latvia. The virtual community hosts discussions about various tech topics and also skills development.

Podcast

In parallel with this initiative, a podcast "Ko Kursors.lv tev neraksta" looks at developments in technology and skills. The podcast and the virtual community discuss various technology-related issues, giving readers and listeners the opportunity to get advice and share experiences with other enthusiasts in Latvia and abroad.

Why is this a good practice?

The portal is a cornerstone of verified information, with reviews of the latest technologies and various solutions published frequently. In these reviews, independent observations and tests are carried out to compare, for example, the speeds of mobile Internet services in the networks of different providers, or electric car comparison tests.

A variety of specialists and digital experts were engaged at the kick-off of Kursors.lv. to populate the portal with content that is verified: an aspect that speaks to the relevance of the initiative, as well as to its potential to offer objective and high quality information.

Since the start of the initiative in Latvia, a priority for Kursors.lv is to raise awareness of technological innovations, and promote the use of digital equipment. Another goal is to disseminate information on nature-friendly means of transportation, and skills intelligence. A special section on the portal is dedicated to the promotion of electric transport solutions and promotion of citizens' abilities to use electric cars.

Kursors.lv was created as an objective source of technology vision, critically assessing the usefulness, functionality and user-friendliness of the technologies it talks about. The initiative has succeeded in setting up a vibrant and diverse social media community of more than 9.000 stakeholders, active in the field of digital skills and jobs, ICT and technology (on common platforms like Discord, X, Meta).

Audience of the Latvian portal has also grown massively: just in the first 9 months of 2023, more than 400.000 users visited the Latvian portal, highlighting showing the public relevance and popularity of these topics in Latvia.