To promote public understanding and an inclusive attitude towards people with functional impairments, including mental health conditions, the Ministry of Welfare is inviting everyone in Latvia, for the fourth year in a row, to take part in the social initiative “Different Shoes Day” on 25 September. This year, the initiative will feature in-person events in Riga and across Latvia’s regions, as well as broad public participation through online channels and social media.
Different Shoes Day is a day when everyone is invited to wear a different shoe on each foot, symbolically expressing understanding and acceptance of people with functional and mental health impairments. Each of us is unique, and only by stepping into another person’s shoes can we truly recognise what we have in common. The Ministry of Welfare launched the “Different Shoes Day” social initiative in 2023. Since then, it has grown into a meaningful tradition that brings people together across Latvia and helps build a society based on empathy, inclusion and humanity.
At the same time, the initiative has evolved into an international cooperation initiative for a social Europe, “Step into Another’s Shoes”. Its aim is to unite EU Member States in a common call to promote understanding and inclusive attitudes towards people with functional impairments, including mental health conditions, while also highlighting projects implemented with EU funding. To date, 11 EU Member States have confirmed their participation in the initiative: Poland, Belgium, Slovenia, Ireland, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Czechia, Portugal, Austria and Hungary.
Until now, the campaign has encouraged people to look at the world from another person’s perspective, even if only for a moment. In 2026 – the fourth year of the social initiative – this message is being taken a step further with a new motto: “Step into Another’s Shoes. Let’s Move Forward Together.” According to the campaign organisers, symbolic empathy alone is no longer enough. A truly inclusive society is created when we accept people as part of our everyday lives – as colleagues, classmates, neighbours and equal members of our local communities. Wearing different shoes is the first step, while the long-term goal is equal participation, living together as part of society, and supporting the development of the necessary community-based social services (deinstitutionalisation).
Events Across Latvia – In Person and Live Online
The campaign will culminate on 25 September, when in-person events will take place simultaneously from 12:00 to 14:00 in five locations across Latvia. The central event will be held at Āgenskalns Market in Riga, featuring musician Kaspars Markševics, popular singer Māra Upmane-Holšteine and the Riga Sudrabbaltais Choir. Regional events will take place at the same time in Smiltene, Jelgava, Kuldīga and Preiļi.
“Together, we are creating a world where we feel safe alongside one another and where everyone has a genuine place and sense of belonging. By choosing to wear different shoes on 25 September, we can smile and symbolically step into each other’s world. But the real goal we are moving towards is genuine acceptance of one another and of our differences,” says Māra Upmane-Holšteine, encouraging everyone to attend the event at Āgenskalns Market in Riga.
Through inspiring personal stories, specially created musical performances bringing together well-known soloists and choirs, as well as creative activities and exhibitions, the events will showcase people’s abilities, talents and personalities. All five events will be connected via live broadcasts into a single nationwide event, which will also be available to watch on the Ministry of Welfare’s social media channels.
How Can You Take Part?
Everyone – both individuals and organisations – is invited to support the social campaign:
On 25 September, wear two different shoes (for example, one everyday shoe and one sports shoe).
Take a photo of your different shoes.
Share the photo on your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.), making sure to include the hashtag #IekāpOtraKurpēs and #StepIntoAnothersShoes.
Encourage your colleagues, friends and family members to join in too!
More information about the campaign and event locations is available at cilveksnevisdiagnoze.lv.
With the support of the European Social Fund, community-based social services for deinstitutionalisation target groups have been developed in Latvia since 2016. During the 2021–2027 European Union funds programming period, Latvia continues to expand access to community-based social services by developing new services. By the end of 2026, it is planned to launch the implementation of at least 20 additional projects, thereby increasing access to services for at least 2,635 people in the deinstitutionalisation target groups.
More information:
cilveksnevisdiagnoze.lv
https://www.facebook.com/labklajibasministrija
