The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved a three-year action plan on diaspora policy. It focuses on Lithuanian education, culture and national security.
Drafted by the Foreign Ministry, the plan also envisages the possibility of conducting a global census of people of Lithuanian origin in order to collect statistics on the size, geography, age and education of the Lithuanian diaspora.
The 2025–2027 plan is a part of Global Lithuania, the country’s strategic guidelines on diaspora policy for 2022–2030.
“The goal is to coordinate the Lithuanian diaspora policy and its effective implementation as much as possible,” Foreign Vice Minister Simonas Šatūnas said at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
About 36 percent of the actions envisaged in the plan are devoted to fostering national identity, 33 percent will focus on measures to get the diaspora involved in Lithuania’s life, and about 22 percent will have to do with people’s return to Lithuania and communication.
The plan includes the goal of increasing the number of children and young people studying in Lithuanian educational institutions over the next three years, supporting these institutions financially, and organising campaigns and events to promote Lithuanian education.
In addition, the plan is to organise and support camps for diaspora children and young people in Lithuanian municipalities and to support the activities of diaspora organisations.
The plan envisages the government’s support for NGO projects promoting civic engagement, patriotism, and historical memory among members of the Lithuanian diaspora abroad.
Moreover, diaspora communities should be informed about Lithuania’s national security and defence policy, opportunities to contribute to national defence and civil resistance. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union is to set up branches abroad, inviting expatriates to join.
These measures are expected to increase the contribution of Lithuanians living abroad in attracting investment to Lithuania and promoting tourism.
Almost all ministries, 60 municipalities and state institutions – 96 institutions in total – are involved in the implementation of the plan.
Following the government’s approval, the plan will become operation once signed by the foreign minister.
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