Vilnius approves €4 million integration plan for foreign residents

The Vilnius City Council has approved a three-year plan to integrate foreign residents, allocating €4 million for its implementation between 2026 and 2028, LRT reports.

With foreign residents now making up over 10% of the capital’s population—totaling 78,500 people—Mayor Valdas Benkunskas stated that the city must strengthen its integration policies. “The effectiveness of these measures will be greater if national authorities also take parallel action within their competence,” he said, citing Western European experience where both incentives and mandatory rules are applied, from language learning to preventing parallel communities.

The plan focuses on Lithuanian language education, psychological and legal support, and encouraging participation in Vilnius’s economic, cultural, and social life. Key goals include improving access to information, employment support, and fostering intercultural dialogue through campaigns, training, and targeted programs.

Funding will come from the city budget, state funds, EU sources, and contributions from Vilnius Public Transport. The city aims to expand the network of institutions providing integration services, moving beyond the current single-window approach at the International House Vilnius center. Updates will include refreshed content, improved consultation standards, and systematic monitoring of policy implementation.

Surveys reveal that integration remains the lowest-rated aspect among foreign residents, scoring just 3.8 out of 10—a decline of 1.6 points over the past year. Officials emphasize the need for early education on local norms and proactive measures to shift public attitudes.