As part of the project “Family Well-being Navigator”, the Daugavpils University Society “Intellect Park” for Lifelong Learning, Culture, and Science Communication organized a series of events aimed at strengthening family welfare and well-being.
On April 22, 2025, the Society announced a creative works competition for children and young people titled “My Family’s Wallet”, with the goal of promoting financial literacy, enhancing understanding of family budgeting and financial management, and encouraging awareness of personal contribution and responsibility in fostering family well-being.
The next project activity, the conversation language club “Successful Online Entrepreneurship – Business ABC”, led by the Society’s project coordinator, Dr. philol. Ingrīda Kupšāne, was organized on May 20, 2025. During the meeting, the participants discussed the experiences of entrepreneurial individuals and learned inspiring stories shared by Zaiga Lāce, founder of the eco-print studio “MAARGA”, and Agnese Birzenberga, founder of the serum workshop “Dzīvie”. The participants worked in groups with the entrepreneurs, discussing the nuances and challenges of starting a business.
On Friday, May 23, activities of the “Enterprising Families Week” took place at Park Hotel Latgola, bringing together families from the city of Daugavpils and Augšdaugava Municipality. Adults gained knowledge in financial literacy and personal financial planning by participating in the “Financial Literacy School”, while children took part in a “Games Tournament”, developing their thinking around money and decision-making. The activities were led by Dr. philol. Inese Valtere, Mg. oec. Inga Zelča, Dr. philol. Evita Badina, Dr. philol. Žans Badins, and Mg. paed., Mg. philol. Ilga Stikute.
The project’s culmination took place on Saturday, May 24, with the organization of the “Family Entrepreneurship Initiative Hackathon”, where families developed and presented their own business ideas: the e-commerce brand “Red and White Soul”, offering souvenirs with Latvian cultural symbols; “Mazās kazas”, providing goat therapy services on a countryside farm; the cat furniture production project “KĶVecāki”; and “Tu esi mans draugs”, offering pet burial services.
Under the guidance of entrepreneur Mg. oec. Inga Zelča, the hackathon participants strengthened their competence to channel their knowledge and skills toward the development of innovative economic products and the promotion of well-being.
Alongside the hackathon, the simulation game “My Budget” took place, involving young people and led by Dr. philol. Inese Valtere and four-time European freestyle wrestling champion, Mg. vad. zin. Anastasija Grigorjeva, who also provided practical advice on healthy nutrition. During the game, the young participants presented their shopping lists and discussed the principles of budget planning. For the youngest participants, Dr. philol. Ingrīda Kupšāne organized an interactive event titled “It’s Party Time, No Sleeping! Learning to Plan a Birthday Party”, where everyone worked together to plan a birthday celebration.
At the end of the day, the award ceremony for the winners of the children’s and youth creative works competition “My Family’s Wallet” took place.
A total of 58 works were submitted to the competition, created using various techniques.
In the 4-6 years’ age group, the 1st place was awarded to Tomass Meirāns, 2nd place to Anastasija Lazučenoka, and 3rd place to Dmitrijs Krops.
In the 7-12 years’ age group, the 1st place went to Maksims Jevsejevs, 2nd place to Viera Janušķeviča and Sanija Skarbinīka, and 3rd place to Renārs Janovskis.
In the oldest group, 13-17 years, the 1st prize was awarded to Nina Dimarenko.
Six competition participants: Leila Azimova, Reinis Bogdāns, Aleksandrs Černišenko, Emīls Liepiņš, Daniils Naruševs and Arnis Miķelis, received special jury awards in various categories.
The competition works were displayed in the exhibition “My Family’s Wallet”.
After the award ceremony, a surprise awaited everyone – a festive cake decorated with a design based on a three-dimensional drawing by competition participant Aleksandrs Černišenko, which, in the jury’s opinion, best reflected the idea of the competition.
For the families involved in the project activities, a total of 40 people, an educational trip to small businesses in Latgale was organized. During the trip, the participants visited the farm “Kurmīši”, where they learned about the Geiba family’s experience in growing medicinal plants and the marketing secrets of small businesses.
The trip continued at the Krāslava Crafts Centre, where, in the workshop of Olga and Valdis Pauliņš, the participants “minted” clay lucky coins, explored the daily work of a ceramicist, the creative process and traditional craftsmanship.
The trip concluded at the farm “Klajumi”, where the participants learned about the farm’s activities and the responsible profession of horse keeping. Everyone was amazed by an elegant horse performance, after which the participants enjoyed horseback rides or carriage rides, experiencing a sense of peace and togetherness.
During the educational trip, each family filled out a “Road Map”, summarizing information about what they observed: the business activities of the companies, their strengths, and development opportunities. At the end of the trip, the families prepared suggestions for improving business operations. The educational trip provided a unique opportunity for families from Daugavpils and Augšdaugava Municipality to practically explore successful family businesses in the region, whose operations are based on sustainable, psychologically and emotionally supportive relationships and business succession. The experience not only offered participants valuable insights and inspiration for developing their own entrepreneurial activities but also promoted community cohesion, intergenerational cooperation, and the strengthening of a sustainable business culture in the region.
A total of 90 adults and 135 children under the age of 18 participated in the project activities, including 62 first-time participants.
The project “Family Well-being Navigator”, No. 2025.LV/GDV/025/L24, is funded by the European Union, and the project activities took place within the framework of the European Social Fund Plus project “Creating a Family-Friendly Environment and Society”, project No. 4.3.6.9/1/24/I/001.
The Daugavpils University Society “Intellect Park” for Lifelong Learning, Culture, and Science Communication is responsible for the content of the project.
For additional information:
Email: intelekta.parks@gmail.com
Contact phone: +371 26851778
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