Integration of Foreigners
Page section list:
1.1. Action plan 2018–2020 on the Integration of Foreigners Into Society
2. SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF FOREIGNERS GRANTED ASYLUM
On 22 January 2014, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, when adopting the Lithuanian Migration Policy Guidelines, instructed the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – the Ministry of Social Security and Labour) to formulate the policy of integration of foreigners. Sub-item 13.2 of the Lithuanian Migration Policy Guidelines stipulates that the Ministry of Social Security and Labour is responsible for the labour policy, the social integration of foreigners granted asylum in Lithuania, the administration of European Refugee Fund and the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (currently the Ministry of Social Security and Labour is no longer responsible for these funds) and the Asylum and Migration Fund. Previously there was no particular authority in charge of the formulation of integration policy for foreigners (the Ministry of Social Security and Labor was responsible for the formulation of the integration policy for asylum beneficiaries but not for thirtd-country nationals.
1.1. Action plan 2018–2020 on the Integration of Foreigners Into Society
In order to implement foreigners integration, Action plan for 2018–2020 on the Integration of Foreigners Into Society (hereinafter – the "Action Plan") was developed with the aim to improve the implementation of the integration of foreigners and ensure their successful integration into society. The Action Plan includes 34 measures which are set to improve legislation and processes in the area of foreigners and asylum seekers, Improve interinstitutional cooperation in the area of integration of foreigners and asylum seekers, improve the labour market integration system for asylum beneficiaries and foreigners and their labour market integration results, improve the integration of asylum beneficiaries and foreigners into the education system, improve conditions of foreigners’ access to social and health services, promote cooperation between foreigners and local communities, reduce discrimination against foreigners, improve integration of female foreigners by ensuring their rights, carry out monitoring and research of the implementation of foreigners’ integration processes and policy.
1.2. Action Plan for 2015-2017 on the Implementation of Foreigners Integration Policy and the results of its implementation
Prior to the adoption of the Action Plan, Action Plan for 2015-2017 on the Implementation of Foreigners Integration Policy (hereinafter – the Plan) was in force. Implementing Plan 2016 Funding for 3 projects from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for 2014-2020 National Program (hereinafter – AMIF) under the action “Provision of Services to Third-Country Nationals”, during which foreigners' integration centers were established in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. Integration centers provide a variety of services to third-country nationals, such as information, counseling, Lithuanian language and civic orientation courses, social, psychological, translation, legal and other services. By distributing leaflets about the activities carried out by the centers, awareness of them is increased in various institutions (territorial migration units, labor exchanges, etc.).
In 2016 the publication “Information for asylum seekers about integration in Lithuania” was published in four languages (Lithuanian, English, Russian and Arabic). The newsletter was distributed at the Refugees Reception Center, Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior, Migration units of Chief Police Commissariats, Employment Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (hereinafter – Employment Service) and it’s divisions, Foreigners’ Integration Centers (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda), Migration Information Center, municipalities.
365 employers participated in training and educational events organized by the Employment Service in relation to foreigner integration processes. 14 433 employers got individual consultations on recruitment of third-country nationals, information sent by e-mail related to employment of foreigners in Lithuania.
2. SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF FOREIGNERS GRANTED ASYLUM
In 2016, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the Description of the Procedure of Provision of State Support for the Integration of Persons Who Have Been Granted Asylum (hereinafter – the “Description”) which regulates the grounds for, organisation and implementation of the provision of state support for the integration of persons who have been granted asylum, the terms of support for integration at the Refugees Reception Center (hereinafter – the "Center") and in the territory of a municipality, payment of cash benefits and allowances, education and employment, the grounds for the termination and renewal of support for integration, and raising public awareness of the integration of persons who have been granted asylum. The Description establishes more intensive teaching of Lithuanian and earlier involvement of persons who have been granted asylum into the labour market; municipalities which appoint the administration director or his authorised person to coordinate the provision of support in the territory of municipality are more actively involved in the process of integration of persons who have been granted asylum.
During integration at the Center (for up to 3 months, with a possibility to extend it to vulnerable groups for up to 6 months), a person who has been granted asylum is provided with free accommodation, social and psychological services, on-site health care services and, where necessary, the conditions are created to receive services at health care institutions; evaluation of personal qualities and qualifications required for the job is organised; a monthly benefit (EUR 87.5) for food and sundries is paid; a benefit (EUR 58,5) for school-aged children for the acquisition of essential school supplies is paid; a monthly compensation in the amount of EUR 62.4 for the expenses of children’s education according to the pre-school and/or pre-primary education curricula is paid; free-of-charge Lithuanian language and culture courses are organised; persons are provided with basic necessities, clothing, footwear, and bedclothes.
After the integration period in the Center is over, support for integration is provided in a municipality (for 12 months, with a possibility to extend it to vulnerable groups for up to 36 months), in which a person chooses to reside. At this stage, non-governmental and other organisations provide mentoring services to persons who have been granted asylum who are participating in the integration process. Currently, mentoring services were provided by Caritas of Vilnius Archdiocese and Lithuanian Red Cross Organisation. Mentors help foreigners to acquire basic necessities, rent an apartment, pay cash benefits, organise Lithuanian language teaching to foreigners, organise kindergarten attendance and children’s education at school, consult foreigners on all issues, ensure foreigners’ attendance at the Employment Service, help to fill in and prepare necessary documents, etc.
During the period of integration in a municipality, persons who have been granted asylum are organised free of charge Lithuanian language lessons; paid a lump-sum settlement benefit (EUR 250 for an adult; EUR 125 for a child; EUR 1 375 for an unaccompanied minor upon coming of age); paid a monthly benefit for basic necessities (housing rental, public utilities, food, transport, etc.) which reaches EUR 250 per person for up to six months and EUR 125 from the seventh until the twelfth month. A family of two persons are paid EUR 375 for up to six months and EUR 187,5 from the seventh until the twelfth month. If a family consists of more than three persons, every other person is additionally paid EUR 62,5 per month for up to six months and EUR 31,25 from the seventh until the twelfth month; a benefit (EUR 58,5) for school-aged children for the acquisition of essential school supplies is paid; a monthly compensation in the amount of EUR 62.4 for the expenses of children’s education according to the pre-school and/or pre-primary education curricula is paid.
In 2019 458 foreigners benefited from integration support at the Refugee Reception Center
Data of Refugee Reception Center
2.1. Foreigners who have been relocated in cooperation with other European Union Member States, third countries, European Union institutions or international organisations
After the migration crisis started in Europe, Lithuania committed to accept 1 105 foreigners (this figure was later reduced to 1 077 and the period of accepting refugees in cooperation was extended until 30 June 2021). Foreigners who have been relocated to Lithuania in cooperation with other European Union Member States, third countries, European Union institutions or international organisations are provided with support for integration in accordance with the Description. They receive the same benefits and services like other persons who have been granted asylum; however, all expenses related to the integration of relocated persons are financed with the European Union funds.
According to the data of February 2020, in order to meet the quota for Lithuania, 489 foreigners were relocated in Lithuania.
2.2. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, persons of Lithuanian origin and their family members residing in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in Ukraine who have been relocated to the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – “persons of Lithuanian origin relocated from Ukraine”)
According to the resolution on Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, persons of Lithuanian origin and their family members residing in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in Ukraine who have been relocated to the Republic of Lithuania No. 773 approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, state support for the integration of persons of Lithuanian origin relocated from Ukraine is provided mutatis mutandis in accordance with theDescription. According to the new version of the resolution No. 773 adopted in 2019, to the relocated persons who have been issued temporary residence permits in the Republic of Lithuania the general integration period (up to 36 months) in the Center, in other residential premises provided by the Center and in the municipal territory referred to in point 18 of the Description no longer applies. Since 2019 the total period of integration for these persons in the Center or in other residential premises provided by the Center and in the territory of the municipality is extended to 60 months.
After relocation of the persons of Lithuanian origin from the Ukraine to the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, is taking care of the successful integration of these persons, organizes the provision of state support to them, including the payment of monthly allowances, state language training, education, employment, etc.
In 2019 same 69 relocated persons received support for integration in municipalities.
The majority of persons of Lithuanian origin relocated from Ukraine who participated in the integration within territory of municipality, lived in the largest cities of Lithuania – Vilnius and Kaunas, because in the larger cities there are more opportunities for employment, children to attend the desired educational institutions, and so on. Regions are not popular except for Jonava.
Distribution of relocated persons of Lithuanian origin from Ukraine who used support for integration in municipal territory by municipalities in 2019
Data of Refugee Reception Center
The Commission
On 21 September 2015, the Government formed a Commission responsible for the coordination of questions regarding the integration of aliens into the Lithuanian society. Members of this Commission include representatives of the Government Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Ministry of Economy an Innovation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuanian Association of Municipalities and NGOs and others.
Action plan for 2018–2020 on the Integration of Foreigners Into Society in english.
Last updated: 17-01-2024