Our values
At the heart of our work are peace and freedom, but they are not the only values that guide us.
We believe in kindness in times of hate, dialogue in times of silence, and empathy instead of violence. As a team, we are understanding, committed, and hard-working. As a community, we choose to stay open-minded, hopeful, and engaged with the world around us.
We value action rooted in compassion, courage fueled by solidarity, and young voices that refuse to stay quiet when it matters most.
Our approach
Schools for Victory is a youth-led initiative built by people who believe that making the world better can (and should) go hand in hand with curiosity, creativity, and community.
We channel our energy into transparent action, meaningful partnerships, and support for those who are truly in need. Whether it’s through donation drives, bake sales, charity concerts, or student-led campaigns, we turn ideas into impact.
We believe young people don’t need to wait for change, they can create it.
Our story
This story began in the winter of 2023, in a single classroom in Riga, Latvia.
What started with one school collecting donations for the Ukrainian army quickly became something much bigger. With the support of the Latvian NGO Tavi draugi, the collected aid was safely transported to Ukraine, turning student initiative into real, tangible support.
The following year, the campaign grew nationwide. More than 100 schools across Latvia joined, proving that solidarity multiplies when young people lead.
In 2025, together with peers in Estonia and Lithuania, we took our first step beyond borders and created Baltic Schools for Victory, a regional collaboration and a glimpse of what was possible.
This year, after Emīlija moved to Amsterdam, the project expanded once again. New teams formed, new countries joined, and European Schools for Victory was born.
Today, we are active in 11 countries, and we are just getting started.
Will your school join us?
Message from Emilija
Hi! I come from Latvia, a country where peace and freedom had to be regained after years of darkness. Growing up in a free society while learning its history taught me one thing very clearly: if we are not active, history has a way of repeating itself. As young people, we have a responsibility to find our own ways to stand together. Schools for Victory is that space for me and for so many others. A place where care turns into understanding, understanding into mobilisation, and mobilisation into real action. To be honest, I simply wanted to build something that doesn’t stop at words. Seeing tonnes of donations sent, school communities united, and families engaging with these issues has been the best outcome I could imagine.
We are moving forward.
European. Schools. For. Victory.
Have a lovely morning, day, or evening and don’t forget to drink water.
Čau!
(if you want to contact me e-mail: emilijaklavina06@gmail or admin@schoolsforvictory.com)