Vilnius allocates 1 million euros to improve shelters

Vilnius City Municipality will allocate 1 million euros to improve shelters, with residents and institutions eligible to apply for funding, LRT reports.

The funding will cover three measures: improving access to shelters, installing window protection systems and helping applicants prepare applications for the Interior Ministry’s shelter development funding programmes.

“By creating this funding programme, we aim not only to invest in technical solutions but also to promote shared responsibility for safety,” Vilnius City Municipality Administration Director Adomas Bužinskas said in a statement.

Funding will be available to associations of apartment and other premises owners in multi-apartment buildings, as well as state and municipal institutions operating in the capital, provided their facilities are included or recognised as eligible for inclusion in the official shelter list.

An exception will apply to educational institutions that do not have official shelters. According to the municipality, they will also be able to apply for funding for window protection measures.

The maximum amount available for one facility in a single call will be 20,000 euros, including value-added tax. Municipal institutions will have 100 percent of their expenses covered, while different limits will apply to other funding measures.

The municipality plans to announce the first call for applications in September.

LRT noted that air alerts were issued several times in parts of Lithuania in May and June. On June 13, the Lithuanian Armed Forces reported a likely air threat in Vilnius County. Residents were urged by mobile phone alerts to remain calm and were warned that the status was “Yellow”. The warning was later cancelled.

An air alert had previously been issued in Utena County on May 21, after two drones were reported to have entered Lithuania’s territory. A day earlier, an air alert and a red threat level had been declared in Vilnius County. It was the first such incident in the history of the restored state.

After the alerts were issued, it emerged that some shelters had been locked. Some educational institutions also failed to coordinate their actions properly, asking parents and guardians to collect their children, refusing to interrupt assessments and failing to follow established procedures.

According to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the “Yellow” status means an attack is considered likely but is not taking place, and residents should identify shelters in case the status changes to “Red”. “Red” indicates a direct threat to life or safety and requires people to follow instructions immediately, including taking shelter or evacuating. “White” means there is no danger and residents may leave shelters and safe rooms, while remaining alert and continuing to monitor information.