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From 3 to 7 November, a delegation of Ukrainian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is visiting Lithuania. The visit is organised at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lithuanian Centre for International Partnerships and the National Platform of Development Cooperation NGOs, building on the cooperation launched during a mission by Lithuanian NGOs to Ukraine last spring.

The study visit brings together representatives of 15 Ukrainian organisations working in the fields of child and human rights protection, social services, rehabilitation and psychological support for veterans, women’s empowerment, humanitarian assistance, inclusion of people with disabilities, community recovery and strengthening civil society. The aim of the visit is to develop long-term partnerships between Lithuanian and Ukrainian civil society organisations and create opportunities for practical cooperation, particularly in developing and implementing projects funded by the European Union and other donors.

During a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice-Minister Lina Rukštelienė presented Lithuania’s development cooperation model, which is based on partnerships between equals, and emphasised the importance of long-term cooperation.

“Partnerships are at the heart of our development cooperation. Visits such as this not only enable us to better understand the needs of Ukrainian civil society, but also help us build lasting relationships, learn from one another and launch joint projects. Lithuania has consistently supported and will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to integrate into the European Union and will provide the assistance it needs,” the Vice-Minister said.

The programme includes a joint session involving the Lithuanian NGO Council and Ukrainian organisations, networking events and bilateral meetings with Lithuanian organisations. On 6 November, representatives of the Ukrainian delegation will also take part in the Lithuanian International Partnerships Conference.

The visit by representatives of Ukrainian NGOs marks an important step in strengthening civil society ties between the two countries. The contacts established during the visit are expected to develop into concrete joint initiatives, enabling organisations to share experience, pool resources and contribute together to the resilience and recovery of Ukrainian society.