Lithuania's government approved four projects aimed at rebuilding Ukraine, to be funded through the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund, LRT reported on 28 January. The allocation totals over €14.5 million (approximately $15.2 million).
"I am glad that our promises and agreements are being put into action. Lithuania's participation in Ukraine's reconstruction is very important for all of us, and I am pleased that Lithuania is increasingly contributing with various projects and concrete decisions," said Prime Minister Inga Rugienė.
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Vidmantas Verbickas, who briefed ministers on the matter, three of the four projects will be implemented with targeted support funds from Taiwan's representation in Lithuania.
Schools and shelters
The Foreign Ministry proposed allocating €5 million ($5.2 million) for the first phase of the "Schools of the Future in Ukraine" project. Of this amount, €500,000 ($524,000) will come from Ireland's targeted contribution to the aid fund.
This phase, to be implemented by the Central Project Management Agency, includes technical architectural design for a school in Zhytomyr that was destroyed during Russian attacks in 2023, as well as construction of an underground multifunctional shelter. The first stage is planned for completion within 18 months.
The overall goal is to build a multifunctional educational center consisting of educational institutions at various levels—from kindergarten to lyceum—a shelter, sports complex, and courtyard system. Implementation is planned in three stages between 2025 and 2028.
Child welfare initiatives
Another €5 million ($5.2 million) will go toward the "Children First. Protecting Ukraine's Future" project.
"The project is aimed at meeting the needs of children affected by the war, particularly those returning from Russia, Belarus and occupied territories, including primary housing, medium-term rehabilitation and adaptation, improved access to services and strengthening national mental health standards," the Foreign Ministry reported.
The project includes reconstruction of the Boyarka orphanage to adapt it for a Center for Returned Children and Families. Short-term accommodation will be provided, and zones for social and psychological services will be created.
In Irpin, 10 modular buildings will be installed for medium-term integration, providing up to 80 living spaces per year. The allocated funds will also be used to purchase 19 vehicles for foster families to improve accessibility of services in the regions.
In Lviv, a children's rehabilitation and mental health center will be established, a hospital will be renovated, staff will be expanded, methodologies for treating war trauma will be developed, and specialists' competencies will be strengthened.
The project is planned for implementation over 22 months, with half of the required funding coming from Taiwan's representation in Lithuania through a contribution to the aid fund.
Mykolaiv school reconstruction
Nearly €4 million ($4.2 million) will be allocated for the second phase of reconstruction of the Zeleny Hai school in Mykolaiv.
The first phase of the project began in 2024, with a contract signed for design services to prepare technical projects for shelter reconstruction and school renovation. However, topographic and geological surveys conducted during technical project preparation, along with a technical report on the actual condition of the existing shelter, showed that the structure was in emergency condition and subject to complete demolition.
"Due to the impossibility of reconstructing the shelter, the signed contract for design services was terminated and a second phase of the project was formed to carry out construction of the school with a shelter, instead of the previously planned reconstruction," the ministry announced.
The project is planned for implementation over two years, with half of the necessary funding coming from Taiwan's mission contribution.
DNA laboratory upgrade
An additional €800,000 ($839,000) will be allocated to modernize DNA laboratory equipment in Poltava. According to the ministry, project implementation will increase the number of examinations conducted to 1,000 per month and improve working conditions for experts.
"Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, the country's laboratories and forensic medical institutions, which are trying to treat the remains of the dead with dignity, remain overcrowded. Daily investigations continue throughout Ukraine to identify the remains of soldiers or civilians killed in military operations and bombings," the Foreign Ministry said.
The project is planned for implementation over eight months, with half the amount also to be allocated from the Taiwan mission's contribution.
As BNS reported, last week Lithuania urgently transferred 90 electricity generators to Ukraine in response to the extremely difficult situation in the country and to ensure the country's electricity supply. The cost of the generators transferred to Ukraine exceeds €2 million ($2.1 million).
