Module 5: Intercultural Relations Lithuania

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Topic 1 (social media) Groups, migrant communities and organisations in Lithuania that support TCN women

Module 5: Intercultural Relations Lithuania Unit 2 Networking Opportunities in Lithuania Topic 1 (social media) Groups, migrant communities and organisations in Lithuania that support TCN women
Source of the photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-iphone-6-with-teal-case-5077063/

 

Networking is a crucial step in the career development process. Not only does it help to meet new people, but it also helps to expand knowledge, gain different perspectives, open horizons and uncover opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

For migrant women, networking is even more important, as moving to a new country disrupts the ties that existed at home. Thus, both migrants and refugees face invisible barriers to securing employment due to the lack of connections in the new country.

When living in Lithuania, third country nationals form communities that help them maintain links with their country’s traditions and with other Lithuanians living in the same country. Some formal communities are organised into associations. There are also many informal communities.

  • One of the most popular and largest communities for foreigners is the Facebook group “Foreigners in Vilnius”. This group brings together foreigners living in Vilnius. The group is full of useful announcements, offers, information about events and tips for those coming to Vilnius. Check the link to this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209733365824002/
  • The Facebook group “Foreigners in Kaunas” brings together foreigners living in Kaunas and those who like it. The group is full of useful announcements, information about events and activities, and tips for those coming to Kaunas. Check the link to this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373968196139299
  • The Facebook group “Foreigners in Lithuania“. Check the link to this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/405534816733876/

NGO organisations and migrant communities

Foreigners integration centres are established in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda which implement social integration of refugees, asylum-seekers, and new arrivals from third countries in Lithuania.

Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas Foreigners Integration Program

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Lithuanian Red Cross Asylum and Migration Programme

There are two Foreigners Integration Centres in Kaunas and Klaipėda, where migrants can receive free one-stop services, and four mobile teams of specialists in Kybartai, Pabrade Foreigners Registration Centres and Naujininkai Refugee Reception Centre, which provide psychosocial assistance, humanitarian aid, organise employment for foreigners, and ensure community involvement.

Read more: https://redcross.lt/veiklos/prieglobscio-ir-migracijos-programa/

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House of Ethnic Communities (Tautinių bendrijų namai)

Projects: Project “Self-assertion of third-country nationals in the multicultural Lithuanian society„. Project objective: to facilitate the integration of third-country nationals into Lithuanian society

Services: training for ethnic community leaders, officials, students, pupils.

Advice to ethnic community NGOs on financial support and financial reporting (over 160 consultations per year).

Website: https://tbn.lt/

Organisations in Lithuania that support TCN women

Foreigners integration centres are established in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda which implement social integration of refugees, asylum-seekers, and new arrivals from third countries in Lithuania.

  • The International Women’s Association of Vilnius (IWAV)
  • Lithuanian Women‘s Lobby Organisation (LWLO)
  • Women’s issues information centre (WIIC)
  • Other women organisations

The International Women’s Association of Vilnius (IWAV) is a charitable organisation and support group that unites international and local women living in Lithuania.

It is a non-governmental and non-profit association which serves as a forum for socialising, community empowerment and charitable giving. The association is entirely led and run by volunteers.

​​The language of communication at IWAV is English, though the members form a diverse group, comprising dozens of different languages and nationalities.

Website: https://www.iwavilnius.com/

Lithuanian Women‘s Lobby Organisation (LWLO) started its non-formal activities in 2004 after the agreement of its establishment has been signed between eleven Lithuanian Women organizations. October the same year LWLO joined the European Women’s Lobby Organisation (EWLO) which is the largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the European Union, gathering over 2000 women’s associations in 31 countries.

Objectives of LWLO

Strengthen the involvement of NGOs in national and Union policy development in the fields of particular importance to the society;

Influence the EU policy and treaties by reinforcing existing gender equality legislation;

Contribute to the increase of women participation in decision-making;

Tackle the issues of violence against women and trafficking;

Strengthen women’s economic and social rights.

Website: https://lmlo.lt/en/about-us/

Women’s issues information centre (WIIC) is one of the most experienced civil society organisations promoting gender equality, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in Lithuania. WIIC started its activities in 1996 and the mission of the motivated team of professionals is to raise society’s awareness on gender equality, influence and promote gender policies in Lithuania. WIIC has a wide experience in promoting European values.

https://www.womensissuescentre.com/about/

Source of photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-women-standing-near-desk-1181438/

Other organisations that help migrants

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is the United Nations migration agency and the only international intergovernmental organisation working on migration. The IOM works to ensure that migration is managed in a way that combines the interests of both migrants and states.

In Lithuania, the IOM Vilnius Office carries out the following main activities free of charge:

  • Migrant counselling
  • Voluntary return and reintegration assistance
  • Research and analysis on migration
  • Training of officials and civil society on migration issues
  • Prevention of trafficking in human beings
  • Promotion of tolerance and integration

Website: https://lithuania.iom.int/

The Migration Information Center (MIC) „I Choose Lithuania“ provides consultations on a one-stop basis to all returnees, Lithuanian emigrants who are thinking about returning, or anyone who wants to come to Lithuania. Here you can get information about immigration, the labor market, education, healthcare, and many other aspects related to living in Lithuania. Website: https://www.renkuosilietuva.lt/en/

  • The European Migration Network (EMN) in Lithuania is a network of migration experts from the European Commission, EU Member States and Norway, whose aim is to collect, analyse and share up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum, in order to contribute to the development of European Union policy and public awareness in these fields. Webiste: https://www.emn.lt/en/

Check for other organisations working in the field of migration: https://livelithuania.net/en/practical-information-for-immigrants/organisations/

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