CONFERENCEThe Centre for European and Transition Studies (CETS) has been operating at the University of Latvia (UL) since the year 2000 and, as of 2024, is a part of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. Its primary aim is to promote and support interdisciplinary research activities in areas relevant to both Latvia and the EU. CETS fosters academic cooperation and policy-relevant research across a broad range of socio-economic and institutional development topics, and is continually engaged in projects implementation activities.
CETS researchers and experts also have competencies in areas such as good governance, e-government, digital public service management, co-creation and living laboratories, social policy, regional and cohesion policy, as well as the socio-economic impact of technological development, relations with so-called third countries and the promotion of democratic processes. CETS has extensive participation experience in various EU programs: the implementation of the Marie Curie Centre of Excellence (2006-2009), participation in Sixth and Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6 and FP7), as well as Horizon programs, Interreg and Erasmus+ projects (including Jean Monnet programs).
CETS hosts the European Union’s Jean Monet Centre of Excellence since 2014.
Since 2015, CETS is the Latvian contact point of the Swiss International Institute for Management Development (IMD) for the preparation of the World Competitiveness Yearbook.
CETS fosters academic cooperation and policy-relevant research across a broad range of socio-economic and institutional development topics, and is continually engaged in projects implementation activities. Its focus areas include:
- European integration, regional and circular economic development;
- digital transformation, effective use of information and communications technology and artificial intelligence in development processes;
- green transition and energy security;
- development of the labour market (including mobility; inclusion of vulnerable groups, etc.);
- integration, social inclusion of migrants and refugees;
- economic development and business support, including social entrepreneurship, cluster development, competitiveness promotion, etc.;
- development of tourism (including health tourism) and cultural and creative industries;
- youth policy (including youth employment) and other areas.
CETS researchers and experts also have competencies in areas such as good governance, e-government, digital public service management, co-creation and living laboratories, social policy, regional and cohesion policy, as well as the socio-economic impact of technological development, relations with so-called third countries and the promotion of democratic processes.