Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will provide Lithuania with nearly 118 million euros to strengthen civil protection and expand its justice system under funding memorandums signed Tuesday in Vilnius.
The agreements cover the 2021–2028 financing period and match the amount Lithuania received during the previous cycle.
Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas said the funds will help the country improve crisis response and advance key reforms in the justice sector.
“In the future, we aim to further strengthen the justice sector – improve the efficiency of the penal system, raise staff qualifications, optimise rehabilitation and support services, and enhance the effectiveness, transparency and security of the courts and the prosecutor’s office,” Vaitiekūnas said at the signing ceremony. “We will also work to increase public awareness and preparedness in civil protection and improve crisis management and emergency response capabilities.”
According to the Finance Ministry, 54 million euros will go toward the civil protection programme and 55.7 million euros to justice initiatives. Lithuania may allocate these funds to specific projects at its discretion, while donors will direct the remaining portion to the Civil Society Fund and administrative expenses.
The memorandum was signed by Vaitiekūnas, Norwegian Justice and Public Security State Secretary Joakim Øren and Iceland’s ambassador to Lithuania, Haraldur Aspelund.
Through the financing mechanism, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein aim to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral ties with 15 EU countries in Central and Southeastern Europe and the Baltic region.
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