Riga Nominated as a Top 5 Finalist for Erasmus Destination of the Year 2025

The Erasmus Student Network Riga (ESN Riga) is proud to announce that Riga has been nominated as one of the top five finalists competing for the prestigious Erasmus Destination of the Year award for 2025. This award recognises cities that excel in supporting student mobility, making them top choices for students on their academic mobility journeys. It highlights how local student associations can enhance their cities as mobility destinations, improving the quality and impact of students' experiences. 

Riga faces strong competition from the other finalists: Aarhus (Denmark), Łódź (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Wrocław (Poland). The award will be granted by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Board, an external jury, and a public vote from the entire network, in collaboration with the European Commission. It celebrates a city’s dedication to inspiring and supporting student mobility, inclusion, and the vital role of local student associations in building a welcoming community for international students. 

The competition was open to all ESN Local Sections, with the winner set to be revealed during Europe’s largest student-led conference, the Erasmus Generation Meeting (EGM), hosted in Ancona, Italy, from 3 to 6 April 2025. 

Regīna Kačajeva, Communications Manager of ESN Latvia, sees this nomination as a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Erasmus+ programme and attract even more international students to Riga. “The Erasmus Destination of 2025 is more than just another competition. Riga’s nomination demonstrates its status as a standout European destination for Erasmus+ study exchanges and educational opportunities. It highlights the immense value Riga brings to the internationalisation of our country,” said Kačajeva. 

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Riga, a non-profit organisation established in 2003, represents ESN Latvia as part of the largest student association in Europe, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN AISBL). Active in more than 500 higher education institutions across 45 countries, ESN plays a pivotal role in supporting international student communities. 

Now in its fourth year, the Erasmus Destination of the Year award continues to honor cities excelling in student mobility and integration. Last year, the Portuguese city of Porto claimed the title of Best Erasmus Destination of 2024. Prior to that, the title was awarded to Ghent and Thessaloniki. Riga hopes to follow in their footsteps and bring the honour to Latvia. 

About ESN: 

With over 500 local branches spread across 45 countries and 15,000 volunteers, ESN offers support to more than 350,000 students every year all around Europe and beyond. ESN is dedicated to promoting the mobility and integration of international students, thus enriching academic experiences and fostering cultural understanding.