Let’s help prepare for school together: AKROPOLE and Ziedot.lv launch their annual charity campaign

The “Let’s Help Prepare for School Together!” charity campaign has been launched for the sixth consecutive year at the AKROPOLE Rīga shopping and entertainment centre.  The initiative invites the public to donate new or unused school supplies and financial contributions to support low-income Latvian families and Ukrainian refugee families who lack the resources to prepare their children for school. The campaign will run until 29 August. 

At the opening event, Ilze Ošāne, Communications Manager of the charity organisation Ziedot.lv, gave inspiring words: “The new school year is approaching with the autumn breeze. Children are getting excited about the school starting, but in many families, parents are uncertain and worried about their ability to provide everything necessary for school. Our help is needed by large low-income families, large foster families and Ukrainian refugee families. It is most difficult to prepare first-graders for school as they need everything, and the most expensive items are school bags, sports shoes and sportswear. We invite everyone who has the means to participate in a charity campaign with AKROPOLE shopping centres to help families in need prepare their children for school.”

Representatives of the Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Science also participated in the event.

Minister of Welfare, Reinis Uzulnieks, emphasises: “The state provides a wide range of support for low-income families – free school meals, personalised school supply packages, scholarships, and social benefits. However, the start of school is particularly difficult, with many families facing significant costs at the same time. At such times, the involvement of the public is invaluable. Charity campaigns such as “Let’s help prepare for school together!” not only complement state support but also create the feeling that no child is left alone in facing difficulties. Every donation – whether it’s a backpack, a set of notebooks or a small amount of money – contributes to a child’s self-esteem, their sense of place in the school community, and, ultimately, to public cohesion. It is our shared responsibility.”

The parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, Dāvis Mārtiņš Daugavietis, emphasised: “Education depends on physical accessibility and teachers, as well as a sense of satisfaction every day you go to school. For children and young people, it is important to fit in and to be an integral and equal part of the school community. This and similar campaigns help every family to prepare for the new school year, by giving an extra contribution to state support and levelling the scales between pupils. Often, it is the reduction of such differences that can determine whether or not a child enjoys going to school, how good or excellent their grades will be, what career they will be able to pursue, and how they will contribute not only to their family but to society as a whole.”

According to a survey* conducted by AKROPOLE shopping and entertainment centres, 73% of Latvian households plan to set aside up to EUR 250 to buy everything needed for the new school year for one school-age child. At the same time, the majority (60%) of parents surveyed say they need to allocate more than EUR 250 in their family budget to cover the full costs. Preparing children for school is particularly challenging for large families and households with lower incomes.

Therefore, to support those families who are facing financial difficulties, AKROPOLE, in cooperation with the charity organisation Ziedot.lv and the research agency Norstat, invites people to donate new school supplies, including bags, stationery, sportswear and other school-related items in special donation boxes located in AKROPOLE Rīga and AKROPOLE Alfa shopping centres until 29 August. You can also support low-income families by making a non-cash donation at the virtual donation booths that will be located in both AKROPOLE shopping centres, or by making a money transfer remotely on the Ziedot.lv website. The amount of the donation is voluntary.

“Today, a shopping centre is more than just a place to shop – it is a place where families meet, spend time and feel welcome. This is why AKROPOLE shopping centres not only provide a comfortable and family-friendly environment but are also actively involved in supporting the public. We believe that taking care of everyday well-being goes hand in hand with social responsibility, which is why, for the sixth consecutive year, we are continuing our charity campaign to help children start the new school year with joy and confidence. I invite everyone to participate and donate within their means, because sometimes even the smallest donation can mean a lot to someone,” says Kaspars Beitiņš, CEO of SIA Akropole Latvija. 

All donated school items and funds will be donated to low-income Latvian and Ukrainian refugee families who have applied for help.

*About the survey:

The survey on the preparation of the new school year among Latvian residents with school-age children was carried out in cooperation with the research agency Norstat in July 2025, pursuant to an order by AKROPOLE shopping and entertainment centres. 501 residents of Latvia aged 25 to 65 participated in the survey.