High-level digital skills policy event in Latvia "Digital Skills in Adult Education: forward DigComp 3.0"

On 18 March, the high-level digital skills policy event "Digital Skills in Adult Education: forward DigComp 3.0" was organized by the Latvian National Digital Skills Coalition partners: the EPALE National Support Service, the Latvian Information and communications technology association (LIKTA), the Ministry of Education and Science, the State Education Development Agency (VIAA), and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM). The aim of the event was to discuss how the latest version of the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp 3.0) could be implemented into adult education system in Latvia.

On 27 November 2025, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the latest version of the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, DigComp 3.0, which offers new functionalities for anyone interested in understanding, identifying, and supporting the development of digital competence.

The seminar was organized to promote a common understanding of DigComp 3.0 as a practical tool in adult education and to strengthen the capacity of adult education providers – educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, libraries, employers, and others – to plan, evaluate, and improve digital skills learning offers in line with societal needs and national development priorities.

Opening Remarks and Strategic Vision

The seminar was opened by Jeļena Muhina, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, who welcomed participants both in person and online and emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to reduce the digital divide in society.

Deep Dive into the DigComp 3.0 Framework

The first part of the seminar, titled “The Digital Competence Framework for European Citizens DigComp as a Practical Tool,” began with a presentation by Jeļena Muhina, “Challenges and Solutions: Digital Skills for Adults in Latvia.” The presentation provided a strategic overview of the current situation regarding digital skills and defined digital competence as a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. As almost 90% of jobs require at least basic digital skills, the need for their continuous development throughout life was highlighted. The presentation also explored in detail how the DigComp framework is integrated across all levels of education, from basic transversal skills to higher education standards. Various state support programmes for the development of citizens’ digital skills available on the national individual learning accounts platform STARS were also presented, including the State Education Development Agency training for employees and self-managed training for ICT specialists.

Māra Jākobsone, Member of the Council of the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA), provided a more detailed overview of DigComp 3.0, presenting digital competence levels, areas, competences, and more than 500 learning outcomes in her presentation “DigComp 3.0 Framework – what is new and why is it particularly relevant in adult learning?”

In her presentation “From the DigComp framework to learning content: how to evaluate and improve adult education programmes,” LIKTA expert and Head of SIA “FITA,” Iris Zvagule, offered practical recommendations for education providers on how to improve and evaluate adult education programmes in accordance with the DigComp 3.0 standard, which includes 21 competences and the cross-cutting integration of artificial intelligence (AI). She emphasised that training should focus on competences rather than specific tools, which change rapidly. The expert also provided advice on how to avoid overly general programme objectives and how to create practical, real-life learning outcome assessment exercises.

The first part of the seminar concluded with a presentation by Elīna Purmale-Baumane, Director of the Adult Education Department at VIAA, who explained how the DigComp framework is integrated into the national individual learning accounts platform STARS. 

She presented the platform and the individual learning accounts approach, which provides a unified environment for planning learning and tracking results. The platform integrates the MyDigiSkills self-assessment test, which allows citizens to determine their level of digital competence. Data show that more than 37,000 STARS training courses have been launched so far, with the most popular programmes at DigComp levels 4–6 focusing on artificial intelligence and e-commerce.

Expert Panel: Digital Skills and Public Demand

In the second part of the seminar, a discussion titled “Digital skills training offer: what society expects from us” was held. The discussion was attended by LIKTA expert Andra Jākobsone; Anna Beāte Būmane, Senior Expert at the Methodological Support Unit of the Teachers’ Professional Support Department at the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) and National Methodologist in General Education (Computer Science); Zanda Rutkovska, Head of the Lifelong Learning Analytics and Support Unit of the Adult Education Department at VIAA; Liene Priede, Head of the Digital Engagement and Skills Unit of the Project Management Department at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM); and Kristīne Kalniņa, Senior Specialist in the Education Management and Projects Unit of the Riga Education and Information Methodological Centre in the field of adult education.

During the discussion, participants addressed how Latvia’s training programs align with labor market and societal needs. They emphasized the importance of using DigComp as a common reference framework for digital skill development and assessment across all education levels. Additionally, the panel explored public engagement with the national individual learning accounts platform STARS, regional training availability, and strategies for promoting current educational offers.

The seminar was attended in person by municipal adult education coordinators, teachers, librarians, representatives of training centres and universities, policy makers, and adult education experts. The seminar was also streamed online via the Facebook pages of EPALE, Ministry of Education and Science, LIKTA, and VIAA, with over 1200 participants following the event online.

The high-level digital skills policy event "Digital Skills in Adult Education: forward DigComp 3.0" was organised within the framework of the European Commission’s Erasmus+ project “EPALE National Support Service” (Grant Agreement No. 101196944-EPALE NSS LV), implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science.