On 9 October 2026, as part of Career Week, an educational and practical event entitled “Energy Within Me!” took place at Riebiņi Primary School and Preiļi Primary School No. 1 in cooperation with the partners of the “SchoolFood WasteSolutions” project. The event provided pupils with an opportunity to explore healthy living not only through theoretical knowledge but also through practical activities, including movement and breathing exercises, discussions about everyday habits, and a tasting of healthy snacks.

The event programme connected the 2026 Career Week theme, “Energy in Our Lives”, with the objectives of the “SchoolFood WasteSolutions” project – to raise pupils’ awareness of balanced nutrition, healthy habits, and more sustainable school catering practices. Throughout the sessions, pupils explored where energy comes from and how everyday choices influence their well-being, concentration, and emotional balance.

The event brought together pupils from grades 7–9 at Riebiņi Primary School and grade 8 at Preiļi Primary School No. 1. The sessions were led by Marta Rudzīte, Oksana Valaine and Ruslāna Jevdokimova, third-year students of the Physiotherapy study programme at Daugavpils University. The students applied the knowledge acquired during their studies while introducing pupils to the fundamental principles of a healthy lifestyle.

During the educational session “Where Does Energy Come From?”, pupils learned about the importance of balanced nutrition, physical activity, sleep, rest, and emotional well-being for the proper functioning of the body. Particular attention was paid to how seemingly simple everyday habits – regular movement, sufficient sleep, mindful food choices, and adequate rest – help maintain energy levels and cope more effectively with everyday stress.

In the practical part of the event, pupils actively participated in movement, breathing, and relaxation exercises. These activities helped them better understand their body’s signals and demonstrated that taking care of one’s health does not have to be complicated – it can begin with small, manageable actions that are easy to incorporate into daily routines.

At the end of the event, pupils took part in the “Strength and Energy Tasting”, where they sampled healthy snacks prepared by the school cooks – vegetable pizza and beetroot chocolate muffins. The tasting complemented the topics covered during the sessions and demonstrated that healthier food choices can also be delicious, appealing, and enjoyable for pupils.

The involvement of Daugavpils University students in such activities was valuable both for the pupils and for the students themselves. For the pupils, it was an opportunity to learn more about the physiotherapy profession and its role in maintaining health in everyday life. For the university students, it provided practical experience in delivering health education activities and working with young audiences.

The “Energy Within Me!” event complemented the educational activities of the “SchoolFood WasteSolutions” project by promoting a broader understanding of school meals as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. It highlighted that pupils’ well-being depends not only on what is on their plates but also on physical activity, sleep, emotions, and everyday habits.

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 promotes cross-border cooperation to address shared challenges and build a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive Central Baltic region.

Programme website: https://centralbaltic.eu/

Official EU website: www.europa.eu

Contact:
Rita Ivanova
Daugavpils University
Senior Project Manager
E-mail: rita.ivanova@du.lv
Phone.: 29857838

This publication has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union. Daugavpils University is solely responsible for the content of this publication, which should not be regarded as reflecting the views of the European Union.