Vilnius to upgrade 60 bomb shelters with priority given to kindergartens and schools

Vilnius will begin the second phase of its bomb shelter infrastructure expansion, upgrading 60 shelters—50 of which are in public facilities such as kindergartens, schools, and social service centres—city officials announced Monday.

Work is set to start this month and conclude by November 2027, according to a statement from Vilnius City Municipality. The project aligns with the capital’s civil defence strategy, which identified over 2,000 shelters citywide for potential improvement.

“As part of Vilnius’ defence policy, we are systematically expanding our shelter network,” said Mayor Valdas Benkunskas. “Public buildings like schools and kindergartens serve as key community hubs, so upgrading their shelters will help protect a significant portion of residents.”

The upgrades will cover 10 privately managed buildings and 50 public facilities, including 31 kindergartens or combined kindergarten-schools, 12 schools (progymnasiums and gymnasiums), two social service centres, one vocational training institution, one polyclinic, one elderate office, one cultural centre, and one municipal administrative building. In total, 30,871 square metres of shelter space will be modernised, providing improved protection for nearly 20,600 people.

Vilnius Development Company, the municipal agency overseeing public infrastructure, will manage 50 of the 60 upgrades. Tenders for construction work are expected to be announced in November.

Enhanced safety and accessibility

All 60 shelters will receive backup power systems and updated technical solutions, including ventilation (in most locations), reinforced windows, fire detection or alarm systems (in nearly half), and additional emergency exits (in one-third). A majority—55 shelters—will also be adapted for people with mobility disabilities.

The project carries a total budget of €2.4 million, with €463,785 funded by the municipality and the remainder covered by the national Defence Fund. Implementation will involve 55 partners.

This follows the first phase of upgrades, which included 32 shelters—14 completed by June 2026 and another 18 due for completion this November. Vilnius currently has around 2,000 designated shelter spaces, viewable on an interactive city map.