Almost EUR 118 million to Lithuania for civil protection and development of the justice system
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have earmarked almost EUR 118 million for Lithuania to finance two priority areas: strengthening civil protection and developing the justice system. This is established in the memoranda of understanding signed today for the new funding period 2021–2028.
The memoranda were signed by Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Minister of Finance of Lithuania, Joakim Sevrin Tranvåg Øren, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and Harald Aspelund, Ambassador of Iceland to Lithuania.
“Our long-standing cooperation with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway is based on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The agreements signed today reaffirm our common ambition to reduce social and economic disparities on the basis of close bilateral cooperation. In the future, we will seek to further strengthen the area of justice by increasing the efficiency of the penal enforcement system, improving the qualifications of staff, optimising rehabilitation and assistance services, and strengthening the efficiency, transparency and security of the judiciary and the Prosecutor’s Office. We will also work to raise public awareness and preparedness for civil protection, improve crisis management and emergency response capacities, including the protection of cultural heritage, and strengthen the resilience of our health system", Minister of Finance K. Vaitiekūnas states.
“In a world of uncertainty and fast-changing risks, it is crucial to prioritise security and resilience. By investing in these areas, we ensure that we are better prepared to respond to crises, protect our values and support each other in times of disaster”, the Minister notes.
Lithuania can plan and allocate around EUR 109 million to projects, the rest is reserved by donors for the Civil Society Fund and part of the funds is allocated to donor administration costs.
The European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2021–2028 will finance the implementation of the Civil Protection Programme (EUR 54 million in total). These include strengthening the information and self-protection of the population, preparedness to manage and deal with crises and emergencies, readiness to protect cultural assets in situations of military conflict and other emergencies, strengthening the resilience of the health system to emergencies, crises and threats of war.
The Norwegian Financial Mechanism will finance the implementation of the Justice Programme for the period 2021–2028 for a total amount of EUR 55.7 million. It is planned to increase the efficiency of the system of execution of sentences, improve the qualification of the staff of the system of execution of sentences, optimize the system of resocialization of convicts and assistance to detainees, develop technologies and increase the efficiency of the operation of the Prosecutor's Office system.
Over two decades, the EEA and Norwegian funds have invested more than EUR 270 million in Lithuania. They have contributed to strengthening the environment, health, culture, education, justice and human rights, and have built trust, solidarity and close ties between countries.
Last updated: 08-12-2025
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