Ministry of Finance: EU investment in communities and education is one of the cornerstones of Lithuania's progress
Almost EUR 6 billion of Lithuania's 2021-2027 EU Funds Investment Programme improves the quality of life in a wide range of areas, while EUR 1.7 billion of investment in social projects reduces exclusion, improves the lives of people from different social groups and increases supply in the labour market. This is essential for the smooth and balanced development of Lithuania in the future, Minister of Finance Taurimas Valysstresses.
“With investments from EU funds reaching Lithuania, we are successfully increasing the accessibility of public services – social security and education. This improves the social environment of the country's citizens, their working skills, allows more active communities to be formed – things without which Lithuania's further progress is very difficult to imagine", Minister of Finance T. Valyssays.
Under the 2021-2027 European Union Funds Investment Programme, calls for social projects in Lithuania worth almost EUR 2 billion (1.98 billion) were launched by early August, contracts in the amount of one and a half billion were concluded and EUR 495 million of EU funds were disbursed to project operators.
The main funding axes are improving the quality and accessibility of education services, job-search assistance, upskilling and reskilling programmes, reducing social exclusion and investing in adapting cultural heritage to communities.
“These investments provide opportunities – mainly for residents of smaller cities or towns – to make sure that living in them is not a challenge, but rather, on the contrary, opportunities to work, create and live with the least possible stress,” the Ministersays.
Theproject ‘Next Stop – Work’ (worth EUR 120 million, of which EUR 96.4 million from EU funds) received the most funding. The labour market is experiencing a mismatch between labour supply and demand: surplus of unskilled labour and shortage of qualified labour. This project therefore aims to increase the chances of the unemployed, especially the unskilled or the elderly, returning to the labour market. It is estimated that more than 42,000 participants will participate in the programme and acquire new qualifications.
Theproject “Integrated Services (KOPA)”, worth EUR 60 million (of which EUR 47.8 million from EU funds), finances preventive psychological and social services for Lithuanians of all ages in order to strengthen psychological, social and crisis-solving skills. Since the beginning of 2023, more than 72,000 people have benefited from complex services for their family, and 90% of them said that the assistance provided helped to solve the problems.
Funding of EUR 492,000 (of which EUR 418,000 from the EU funds) is foreseen for Phase I of the Programme for the Improvement of Early Childhood Education. By 2030, Lithuania aims to ensure that all children, regardless of their place of residence or social environment, receive quality early childhood education services. The project brought together pre-school education institutions in thematic networks, in which institutions included various activities. The resulting plans will form the basis for the second phase of the project.
Of the nearly EUR 6 billion allocated to Lithuania under the EU Investment Programme, calls for proposals totalling EUR 6.42 billion have been announced to date, contracts worth EUR 4.70 billion have been signed, and EUR 1.72 billion have been disbursed.
Currently, it is possible to apply for activecalls for proposals on the website https://2021.esinvesticijos.lt/lt.
Last updated: 17-08-2026