Lithuania launches a project with international experts to boost its development cooperation ecosystem

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Lithuania's development cooperation. During this period, we have consistently shared our experience, solutions as well as promoted our shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in partner countries. These values are the key driving forces for growth and prosperity. In the light of Russia's war against Ukraine and the increasing pressure from autocratic regimes, we need to strengthen our capacity to respond effectively to the challenges ahead and become even better partners in helping countries on their path to democracy," said Rasa Kairienė, Director of Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the kick-off event on 20 September, the Deputy Director for Development Cooperation at the OECD, Mayumi Endoh, highlighted the importance of the project in the context of support to Ukraine: "The reform efforts being launched today come at a critical time when Lithuania finds itself at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression. In addition to Lithuania’s impressive efforts to assist Ukrainian refugees, its ambitions to scale up development co-operation efforts with the private sector and civil society will continue to play a critical role – not only in Ukraine’s reconstruction and development, but more broadly in other countries in the Eastern Partnership Region and around the world".

During the two-year project, the OECD and other international experts will help Lithuania to improve the enabling environment and develop financial mechanisms that will open new opportunities for the private sector and NGOs to engage in development cooperation activities. The project will help target groups to establish new partnerships with international organisations, financial institutions, and other donor countries.

The main activities foreseen in the project are an analysis of the current situation, the preparation of an action plan and its implementation (revision of the legal framework, development/adaptation of financial instruments, development of a monitoring and evaluation system, capacity building and competences development). The project also foresees the implementation of three pilot projects, where the most appropriate development cooperation instruments will be applied in practice.

The project “Strengthening Lithuania’s development cooperation ecosystem: coherence, partnerships, impact is financed by the European Union’s Technical Support Instrument.