Riga opens two weeks of free extracurricular activities

Riga has begun two weeks of open days at extracurricular education institutions, allowing children and young people to try activities free of charge before choosing a programme, LSM reports.

The “Come and participate!” open days began with “A Different Day of Knowledge” at the Riga Youth Technical Centre. The event focuses on technology, science and robotics, known as STEM fields, while the centre also offers clubs in cultural education, sport and other areas.

Interest in STEM activities has increased in recent years, said Ramona Šmitiņa, director of the Riga Youth Technical Centre. She said young people were increasingly choosing engineering-related activities, including digital platforms, modelling, wood modelling, 3D printing and CNC milling.

Chess has also become highly popular, prompting the centre to open additional groups. Šmitiņa said the activity was linked to logical thinking and mathematics and helped develop thinking skills.

The Riga Youth Technical Centre operates at two addresses in Pārdaugava, on Bauskas Street and Ernestīnes Street. A new branch will open at 15 Grīvas Street on September 7, with a focus on STEM clubs.

Activities at the new branch will include “Artificial Intelligence and Me,” applied computer science under the name “Start Programming!”, and nature science clubs such as “Environmental Experiments,” “A Journey with Plants” and “Giving Things a Second Life.”

The centre had 1,420 students last year and expects a similar number this year. Interest in extracurricular education has remained stable for many years, with no noticeable impact from demographic changes, said Irina Jākobsone, head of Riga’s Interest and Sports Education Department.

Children and youth centres had 21,995 students in the 2025-26 academic year. STEM programmes accounted for 17% of enrolments, while visual arts accounted for 11%.