To enhance civic engagement, Lithuania and Switzerland will allocate €10.36 million to this initiative, with Lithuania contributing 15% of the total funding.
Cooperation agreement between Lithuania and Switzerland
The cooperation agreement will be signed in Vilnius on Wednesday by Lithuania’s Finance Minister, Gintarė Skaistė, and Switzerland’s Ambassador to Lithuania, Martin Michelet.
According to the Ministry, this Civic Engagement Program Agreement will be the third and final financial agreement under Switzerland’s Second Financial Contribution to Lithuania.
In early October, both countries also agreed to allocate approximately €36 million to improve maternal and child health, focusing on outpatient services. Lithuania committed €5 million from its budget, while Switzerland provided about €31 million.
In May of the previous year, both nations agreed to invest a combined €53 million in health, education, and civic engagement in Lithuania—€7 million from Lithuania and €46 million from Switzerland.
At that time, Skaistė remarked that this funding would strengthen civil society by promoting engagement, quality, and accountability, while also improving the quality and accessibility of Lithuanian maternal, neonatal, and child developmental care.
The Ministry of Finance previously announced that these initiatives would begin receiving funding in 2025, with specific programs across various sectors to be developed and implemented by the end of 2029.
From 2007 to 2012, Switzerland provided Lithuania with a financial contribution of approximately €66 million, supporting hospital infrastructure, environmental protection, energy efficiency, maternal and neonatal healthcare, NGO and social initiatives, and research.
Source: Lietuvosvalstybe.com
References: Information from LRT