As Ukraine celebrates the Day of Defenders of Ukraine on October 1, Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency is sharing details of an extensive programme aimed at rebuilding and improving rehabilitation facilities for veterans and victims of the war.
It is Lithuania’s largest and most ambitious programme for Ukraine’s recovery in terms of financing and scope, covering several regions of the country, with 15 million euros allocated to implement the projects.
Artūras Žarnovskis is a manager of the “Co-Create Future of Ukraine” programme and leads initiatives aimed at Ukraine’s recovery in the Central Project Management Agency.
He reveals the details of the Lithuanian government-approved program to develop Ukraine’s rehabilitation services system. This programme includes rebuilding and improving rehabilitation centres for Ukrainian veterans and victims of war, while also seeking to establish a new framework and standards for rehabilitation.
In the system, Ukrainian war veterans can get a dignified recovery process — from medical services to essential psychological support at each stage of their return to normal life.
Supporting Ukraine
Žarnovskis speaks about his work and the mission of the Agency: “I work at Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency. Our agency administers state and international development and cooperation projects and programs both in Lithuania and abroad. Currently, of course, Ukraine is our main focus.”
He elaborates on his role: “We implement various projects and programs, including Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction projects. I lead the ‘Co-Create Future of Ukraine’ programme, but overall, I have been the team leader for reconstruction projects since the full-scale invasion in 2022. This means I coordinate all our efforts aimed at supporting Ukraine during this critical time.”
Strategic vision
Speaking about the core idea behind the projects, Žarnovskis emphasises the deep connection between Ukraine’s success and Lithuania’s security: “In Lithuania, we believe that a successful Ukraine is a key element of a successful Lithuania. These aren’t just words – this is our strategic vision. We understand that Ukraine’s stability and prosperity directly impact the security of the entire region, including Lithuania.”
He goes on to outline the main areas of work: “We focus on three main components: the future generation (students in schools and kindergartens), refugees and their potential return, and veterans and their integration into society. Each of these areas is critically important for Ukraine’s recovery and development.”
Particular attention is given to veterans’ rehabilitation: “Our goal is to ensure a full cycle of support: from the moment of injury to full recovery and return to normal life. This includes everything from infrastructure to medical, physical, psychological rehabilitation, and social reintegration. We understand that veterans are not just former soldiers; they are individuals who need comprehensive support to return to civilian life.”
Comprehensive approach to rehabilitation
The program, to which the Lithuanian government has allocated 15 million euros, aims to improve the quality of services related to veterans’ rehabilitation (both medical and psychosocial) and reintegration into normal life. It also seeks to promote the development of a network of rehabilitation and reintegration services.
The program consists of four interrelated projects. Žarnovskis explains the structure: “Three are infrastructure projects in different regions of Ukraine, and the fourth is a ‘soft expertise’ project. This structure allows us to cover different aspects of rehabilitation and work on various levels of Ukraine’s healthcare system.”
Regarding the infrastructure projects, they focus on improving conditions at three key medical facilities:
The Spinal Injury Center at the Dnipro State University Hospital (under the Ministry of Health of Ukraine), where the goal is to adapt the building for the rehabilitation center's activities with 50 beds, including a wheelchair workshop and a training room.
The Rehabilitation Center at the Military Hospital in Zhytomyr (under Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense), where the project will reconstruct facilities, set up 15 patient rooms, physiotherapy and rehabilitation rooms with modern equipment, a dining room, and an outdoor fitness area. The basement will also be converted into a shelter for patients and staff.
The rehabilitation department of the “Unbroken” center at Lviv City Rehabilitation Center in Bryukhovychi (under the municipality), where the project aims to expand and renovate the facility to accommodate up to 120 patients simultaneously.
Žarnovskis highlights the importance of such diversity: “These three projects allow us to work with different structures and understand the full picture of the rehabilitation system in Ukraine. We can study the specificities of each type of facility and develop the most effective rehabilitation approaches under different conditions.”
Innovations in rehabilitation
The “soft expertise” project aims to improve the quality of services for war veterans and enhance comprehensive rehabilitation services (medical, psychosocial, and social). Žarnovskis outlines five key aspects:
Objective measurement of the rehabilitation process – “We are implementing systems and protocols to assess the baseline condition of patients and track rehabilitation progress. This allows us to not only evaluate treatment effectiveness but also adjust rehabilitation programs according to each patient's needs.”
Physical rehabilitation – “We are conducting training for personnel in Lithuania and Ukraine, organizing knowledge exchanges between our university hospitals and Ukrainian medical institutions. This will enable the introduction of the most modern physical rehabilitation methods, tailored to veterans’ needs.”
Mental health – “We are working on systematising Ukraine’s existing experience, supporting knowledge sharing, and enhancing specialists' qualifications. Psychological rehabilitation is critical for veterans, and we aim to provide the highest level of these services.”
Reintegration – “We focus on adapting people with disabilities, supporting NGOs working with veterans, and ensuring emotional, physical, and practical support. Our goal is not just to heal physical injuries but to help veterans return to full normality of life in society.”
Analytics and research – “We analyse the current situation, track progress, and develop recommendations for the Ukrainian government to scale successful practices. This allows us to constantly improve our approaches and ensure the most effective assistance.”
Challenges and adaptation
Discussing the challenges, Žarnovskis notes: “The main challenges are related to infrastructure projects. These include security issues, especially in frontline regions, electricity supply problems, and labour shortages. However, we understand these risks and are ready to face them.”
He adds: “We believe it’s better to act now than to wait for the war to end. Every day we spend waiting is a lost opportunity to help those who need rehabilitation today.”
Regarding the “soft” part of the project, Žarnovskis says: “The challenges involve organising training and experience exchange. We need to find a balance between the medical staff's important daily work and their training. This requires careful planning and flexibility on our part.”
Mutual benefit
When it comes to benefits for Lithuania, Žarnovskis explains: “By supporting Ukraine, we are also developing ourselves. Lithuania was a recipient of aid for a long time, and now we are learning to be an effective donor. This is an important part of our foreign policy and our development as a responsible member of the international community.”
He emphasises the importance of mutual exchange: “This is a two-way exchange – our specialists are also learning a lot from their Ukrainian counterparts, particularly in crisis psychology and wartime rehabilitation. The experience of Ukrainian doctors and psychologists is invaluable, and we are integrating this knowledge into our own healthcare system.”
Future plans
Regarding the future of the projects, Žarnovskis says: “Our programme is designed for 24 months, but we understand the situation is very dynamic. We strive to be flexible and adapt to changes. Our goal is not just to implement specific program projects but to create a model that can be scaled and attract additional funding from other international donors.”
He adds: “We are also working to make our projects part of a broader rehabilitation strategy in Ukraine. We closely cooperate with the Ukrainian government and international partners to ensure the sustainability and long-term effectiveness of our efforts.”
Evaluating project success
Žarnovskis explains the methods for assessing the effectiveness of their work: “We plan to conduct impact studies of our projects. This will include interviews with patients, their families, and doctors. Ideally, we would compare rates of suicides, criminalisation, divorces, and addictions among veterans who have undergone rehabilitation at our centers with average rates.”
However, he acknowledges the difficulties in obtaining complete data: “We understand that in a war-torn environment, getting full data will be challenging. Therefore, we focus on more immediate indicators. For physical rehabilitation, we use objective measures of strength, mobility, and adaptability. In mental health, there are also methods for objective assessment.”
Regarding reintegration, Žarnovskis explains: “We evaluate early stages of adaptation: how well a person can take care of themselves, their mobility, and adaptability to the new labour market. These indicators give us an idea of the effectiveness of our rehabilitation and reintegration programs.”
Key message
In concluding the conversation, Žarnovskis shares his main message: “Once a hero, always a hero. These people have fulfilled their duty, protecting not only Ukraine but all of Europe. Now, it’s our duty to take care of them. They will have a second mission – rebuilding the country. And we must provide them with all the necessary support for this.”
He also expresses his admiration for Ukraine: “I want to highlight the incredible strength and courage of Ukrainians. The way Ukraine is simultaneously fighting a war, rebuilding, carrying out reforms, and moving toward the EU is impressive. I believe the world has much to learn from Ukraine and its civil society.”
Žarnovskis concludes: “Our work is not just about projects. It’s an investment in Ukraine’s future, and therefore in the future of all of Europe. We believe that every healed and rehabilitated defender is not only a saved life but also a powerful resource for the country's reconstruction and development.”
Lithuania’s assistance project for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans is a shining example of true solidarity and strategic thinking. Understanding that Ukraine’s success is key to regional security, Lithuania is investing not only in infrastructure but also in human potential.
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