In September 2025, a new and inspiring international cooperation project – “Chess as an Educational Tool for Social Inclusion” — was officially launched with the support of the NordPlus Programme. The initiative brings together five partner organisations from across Northern Europe to explore and promote the use of chess as a means of fostering soft skills and strengthening social inclusion among vulnerable groups, including prison inmates, people with disabilities, and immigrants.
Building Bridges Through Chess
The project’s main ambition is to create cross-sectoral cooperation between schools, vocational institutions, higher education, and adult education providers. Through this collaboration, the partners aim to exchange experiences and disseminate innovative practices on both classical and non-classical uses of chess in education.
By focusing on how chess can develop essential soft skills such as critical thinking, patience, decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork, the project seeks to empower individuals facing social or economic challenges and promote their inclusion in society.
An International Partnership for Change
The project is coordinated by CEIR (Latvia) and implemented in cooperation with:
- Latvian Chess Federation (Latvia)
- Creative Future Ideas (Lithuania)
- Island Panorama Center (Iceland)
- Euroreach (Estonia)
Each partner brings unique expertise from different educational and social fields, ensuring a rich exchange of knowledge and diverse perspectives on how chess can be adapted to various learning contexts and target groups.
Kick-Off Meeting in Riga
The Kick-Off Meeting took place on October 28th, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, marking an energetic and productive start for the partnership. Representatives from all five organisations gathered to discuss the project’s objectives, timeline, and expected outcomes, as well as to plan the first activities and research steps.
The meeting set the tone for a collaborative and creative project atmosphere, highlighting chess as not only a game but also a powerful educational and social tool.
Current Phase: Needs Analysis Report
From September to December 2025, the partnership is focusing on the first major project activity — the Needs Analysis Report. This phase involves:
- Identifying the needs of trainees, teachers, employers, and stakeholders;
- Reviewing methodological literature on both classical and innovative uses of chess for soft skills development;
- Developing methodic recommendations for future educational materials.
The outcome of this stage will be a comprehensive Needs Analysis Report that will serve as a foundation for the next phases of the project, including the creation of tailored educational resources and training activities.
Looking Ahead
“Chess as an Educational Tool for Social Inclusion” is more than an academic or social experiment — it’s a movement that recognizes the universal language of chess as a bridge between people, cultures, and experiences.
Through shared learning and creative cooperation, the project aims to demonstrate how strategic thinking on the chessboard can translate into greater empathy, resilience, and opportunity in real life.
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