Strengthening Lithuania’s development co-operation ecosystem: Coherence, partnerships, impact

Lithuania’s development co-operation has expanded in recent years, driven by humanitarian and reconstruction support for Ukraine and a broader ambition to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Lithuania joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2022, signalling commitment to align with international standards and scale up its role in global development. Development co-operation is concentrated in the European Union's Eastern Neighbourhood, as well as in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with priorities in areas of comparative strength, such as democratic governance, structural reforms, human rights, education, green energy and digitalisation.

Lithuania’s development co-operation system is still relatively young, with limited financial and human resources. Policies, instruments and delivery mechanisms remain fragmented; partnerships with civil society and the private sector need strengthening. Addressing these aspects is critical to an impactful, coherent policy aligned with European Union priorities such as sustainable development, resilience and inclusive recovery.

The main beneficiary of this project is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, which is responsible for shaping the country’s development co-operation policy and strategy, as well as overseeing its implementation and related instruments. Other beneficiaries include the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA), the national development bank (ILTE) , and civil society platforms, such as the the Non-Governmental Development Co-operation Organisation (NGDO) platform. This project also engaged private sector associations – including the Lithuanian Business Confederation, Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, and INFOBALT (an information and communication technology organisation). These actors form the core of Lithuania’s development co-operation ecosystem.

The project addressed Lithuania’s need for a more coherent, results-oriented, and partnership-based development co-operation system. 

Specific aims of the project were to:

• create enabling conditions for partnerships with civil society and the private sector;

• enhance coherence between bilateral, multilateral, and EU-level activities;

• build institutional capacity and tools to improve monitoring, evaluation and results-based management;

• develop innovative financing instruments and approaches to leverage private resources for development; and

• increase awareness and engagement across society, ensuring that development co-operation is understood and supported domestically.

The OECD, partnering with Lithuania and the European Commission, adopted a phased, participatory approach. The project began with a diagnostic of Lithuania’s development co-operation framework via desk research, stakeholder mapping and international benchmarking, consultations with government, civil society, and private sector actors.

Co-creation was fundamental. Project participants engaged in workshops, trainings, peer learning missions and multi-stakeholder sessions to identify practical solutions. A learning-by-doing approach guided work on partnership framework and on results and monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring outputs met international standards that align with Lithuania’s institutional and political context.

The project delivered a comprehensive set of outputs, structured around diagnostics, capacity building, and implementation. Key outputs and activities are listed below.

1. Diagnostic Report. Inventory and analysis of existing policies, instruments and institutional arrangements, highlighting strengths, gaps, and opportunities.

2. Action Plan. Recommendations for legislative, institutional, and policy changes to strengthen partnerships, results management, and financing mechanisms.

3. Pilot Partnerships. Partnership frameworks under discussion with private sector and civil society; legal frameworks being revised, formal adoption procedures are ongoing. 

4. Capacity Development. Training, workshops and toolkits on effective partnerships, civil society and results-based management.

5. Study Visits. Peer learning with DAC members to share best practices in private sector and civil society engagement.

6. Communication and Outreach. Social media content, visuals and a public brief to increase visibility and awareness of development co-operation in Lithuania.

Consultation with national authorities, civil society representatives and business associations shaped the analysis, the action plan and the drafting of the ongoing recommendations. Multi-stakeholder workshops ensured broad participation and ownership. This inclusive approach improved output quality and fostered trust and dialogue among actors.

• Ukraine’s reconstruction drives political support to Lithuania’s development co-operation. Implementing ongoing reforms can maximise impact.

• Partnerships with civil society are essential; clearer frameworks, predictable funding and tailored incentives are being defined.

• Monitoring and evaluation systems are being adapted to meet Lithuania’s ambitions, with a focus on with results and constant learning.

• Financial instruments to engage the private sector, including blended finance and calls for proposals and other innovative financing mechanisms, are essential to mobilise additional resources; legal and institutional adjustments are ongoing. 

• Clear mandates, strong institutional capacity and adequate human resources are essential; sequencing reforms and sustained capacity-building are key to lasting impact.

The project is informing legislative and institutional reforms and strengthening capacities across government, civil society and the private sector through training and toolkits. The new monitoring and evaluation system will improve results tracking and accountability. It lays the foundation for a more coherent, partnership-oriented and impactful development co-operation ecosystem, enabling Lithuania to contribute more effectively to Team Europe, support Ukraine’s reconstruction and advance the 2030 Agenda.