Lithuania allocates EUR 3M to program supporting return of young professionals to Ukraine

Lithuania will allocate €3 million over three years to the Create for Ukraine program, under which around 80 young professionals are expected to return to Ukraine.

This was reported by the Lithuania's government, according to Ukrinform.

As noted, the Create for Ukraine program aims to help address the shortage of qualified personnel in the public sector. Young Ukrainians currently living abroad will be able to join state institutions, where over the course of a year they will contribute to European integration, reforms, and the country’s economic recovery. Lithuania will finance their salaries, reducing financial risks both for returning specialists and for Ukrainian institutions.

The declaration on the implementation of the program was signed by Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. The initiative builds on the experience of the Create for Lithuania program.

The pilot phase of the program, launched in 2024, has already enabled ten young professionals to return to Ukraine. The Lithuanian government expects that the three-year program will facilitate the return of about 75-80 specialists. With the support of other partners, the number of participants could increase to 250-300, significantly strengthening Ukraine’s preparation for membership in the European Union.

The program may also be integrated into a broader international initiative, opening opportunities for additional funding from EU countries and other international partners.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on December 5, Lithuania, together with Canada and Sweden, joined a joint declaration on the establishment of the Ukraine Transport Support Fund (UTSF).