Nausėda says national resilience starts in municipalities

Lithuania’s resilience depends on every municipality and community being able to act in a crisis, President Gitanas Nausėda said on Friday as he opened the eighth Regions Forum at the Presidential Palace, LRT reported.

Facing security, economic and demographic challenges, the country must strengthen the resilience of both the state and society, he said. That preparation must extend beyond the state to regions, municipalities, small communities and individuals, and requires not only funding and infrastructure but also attention to municipalities’ needs and expectations.

Nausėda also highlighted the role of affordable housing in helping regions attract and retain doctors, teachers, public officials and other specialists. Giving municipalities the ability to offer affordable homes could provide a practical way to address the problem, he said.

The event, initiated by the president, is being organised with the Interior Ministry and the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania. Its first session will focus on developing municipal housing and national resilience; the second will address cooperation between local and national government.

The forum is due to end with the signing of a memorandum between the Finance Ministry and the association on cooperation to expand municipalities’ investment opportunities.