Digital Explorers is an ICT-focused knowledge and talent exchange programme that began in 2019, with its second phase (Digital Explorers II) running from March 2023 to September 2026 (43 months). While the first iteration piloted a partnership between Nigeria and Lithuania, the second phase broadened the programme’s scope – both geographically and in scale. Estonia and Latvia joined as implementers, Kenya and Armenia became new partner countries, and the number of beneficiaries grew from 30 to 153 across multiple programme tracks.
The programme addresses two interlinked challenges. In countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Armenia, many young ICT professionals struggle to access quality digital employment or lack the advanced skills required by the private sector. At the same time, the ICT sectors in the Baltic States – Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia – are growing rapidly, but their continued development is held back by a shortage of skilled talent. By connecting these two challenges, Digital Explorers creates a mutually beneficial exchange: it supports the career growth of partner country ICT specialists through tailored training, internships, and job placements, while helping Baltic companies access skilled professionals and broaden their talent pipelines.
The long-term vision of the project is to build mutually beneficial and financially self-sustainable digital talent development and mobility partnership(s) between the Baltic States (the EU) and partner countries.
Funders and Participating Organisations
The project is funded by the European Union through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) and managed by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). It has a budget of EUR 3,472,437.71, with 95 percent of funding provided by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
The project is led by VšĮ OSMOS Global Partnerships (Lithuania) in collaboration with the Estonian Centre for International Development “ESTDEV” and the Latvian Startup Association “Startin.LV”. This partnership connects Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia with Nigeria, Kenya, and Armenia.
Progress to Date
The project has attracted significant interest, receiving over 3,300 applications from Nigeria, Kenya and Armenia for its second phase. By the project’s end, 153 selected participants will have received training, secured job or internship placements or participated in short-term study visits.
The programme is structured around several key activities:
Skills enhancement and career support: Up to 115 participants receive customised, practical training in fields like data analysis and software development that are designed to fill gaps in ICT education. This includes trial training and pre-departure bootcamps in the partner countries. The project team ensures career guidance through workplace monitoring, community building and networking events, post-internship support like career counselling and dedicated training.
Multi-Track Mobility: The project features three mobility tracks:
- Professional Track: Matches experienced ICT professionals with Baltic companies for long-term work placements. By mid 2025, eight Front- and Backend Developers and DevOps engineers were matched with two Lithuanian companies (EPAM Systems and Adform) and at least nine Armenian technology innovators are set to relocate to Latvia.
- Trainee Track: Provides four-to-six-month internship opportunities in the Baltic States. By mid 2025, 27 trainees from Kenya and Nigeria have completed their internships in Estonian and Lithuanian organisations like Kodally, MDI, Syno International, Triumf Health, Visionary Analytics, Tallinn University, and Carelybot.
- Ambassador Track: Organises one-to-three-week study visits for tech entrepreneurs and civil servants from partner countries in Baltic states to build networks between the participating countries. At the beginning of 2025, 11 Ambassadors from Kenya, Nigeria, and Lithuania visited the three Baltic states, participating in over 100 engagements with local ecosystem stakeholders.
Local Opportunities: To benefit a wider talent pool, the project has also matched 63 young specialists with local internship opportunities in Nigeria, Kenya, and Armenia.
Major Takeaways and Lessons Learned
A mid-term review conducted in 2024 provided early insights and testimonials on the project’s impact:
- Transformative personal impact: Participants describe the experience as transformative and motivating, with alumni of the programme more confident in their ability to enter the job market or access further education.
- Effective matching is crucial: The successful transition from internship to employment was partly attributed to the skill of the OSMOS project team in effectively matching participants with reputable companies where their skills could be utilised.
- Fostering a mindset shift: The experience empowers participants to bring about positive change, and participants highlighted the value of bringing a more flexible and collaborative work culture back to their home countries.
What’s Next
As an ongoing project, Digital Explorers II is focused on completing its planned activities by September 2026 and establishing a framework for future sustainability. Key future-oriented activities include:
- Institutional knowledge production: The project team will produce three major studies to facilitate institutional learning: 1) a gap-analysis of ICT higher education in Kenya, Nigeria and Armenia; 2) an evaluation of Baltic labour markets’ talent needs and absorption capacities; and 3) a feasibility study on broader Baltic involvement in Talent Partnerships.
- Knowledge exchange: The findings and recommendations from these studies will be disseminated through interactive knowledge exchange events for representatives of all participating countries and EU policymakers.
- Financial sustainability: All procedures, tools and activities developed during the project are being documented with the long-term goal of turning the initiative into a financially self-sustainable social enterprise.
Resources and Further Reading
MPF Projects Info Note on Digital Explorers II
MPF Projects Impact Note Digital Explorers II
Project Contact
Kristijanas Kaminskis, Action Manager, email: [email protected]