Lithuanian NGOs accuse ministry of interference in key fund management

Lithuanian non-governmental organisations have accused the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of attempting to influence the selection of representatives for the NGO Fund Council, which distributes €2.9 million annually to strengthen NGO capacities, LRT.lt reports.

The NGO Fund, financed by the ministry, has allocated €7.85 million to 189 organisations over three years (2023–2025). The fund’s council, which decides on allocations, consists of seven members: four nominated by the NGO Council (three NGO representatives and one academic) and three by state institutions.

Umberto Masi, chair of the NGO Council, stated that in May, the ministry requested a list of potential NGO representatives for the fund’s council. The National NGO Coalition, representing around 3,000 organisations, submitted its proposals, including names such as Dalia Kedavičienė (International Migration Organisation), Inga Kreivėnaitė (Children and Youth Centre “Padėk pritapti”), Raimonda Bogužaitė (Mykolas Romeris University), and Dr. Maryja Šupa (Vilnius University).

However, NGOs claim the ministry, led by outgoing Minister Jūratė Zailskienė, pushed for the inclusion of the Lithuanian Local Communities’ Organisations Union, whose chair, Eglė Juozapavičienė, has ties to the Social Democrats. Masi criticised the move, stating: “It’s unclear why certain organisations are being suggested. The key issue is not which organisation, but who proposes them. NGOs themselves must decide who speaks on their behalf.”

The Local Communities’ Organisations Union already participates in the NGO Council and will join the LRT Council in 2027. Critics argue the ministry’s proposal risks politicising the fund’s governance.