Key information about the programme
- The programme is operated by: Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) in Lithuania
- The Donor Programme Partner in this programme is: Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH)
- Other Programme Partners: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, and Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
- The programme’s objective is: Improved prevention and reduced inequalities in health
- The programme funding amounts to € 15 million (excluding co-financing) and is funded entirely by the EEA Grants.
Why is the programme needed?
Poor mental health, especially children’s mental health and wellbeing, is a major health challenge in Lithuania. Resources are needed to improve treatment and health services, knowledge and skills and to support parental involvement in treatment. Furthermore, Lithuanian pedagogical psychological services show that the number of children and young people engaging in challenging or high-risk behaviour grows every year. High risk behaviour includes assault and vandalism, self-harming, substance use, engagement in criminal activity, unhealthy sexual behaviour and dangerous physical exploits. Thus, the programme supports improved diagnosis and better care/rehabilitation systems for children with mental health issues, prevention programmes targeting children, and awareness raising, as well as the expansion of services available for children with high risk behaviour.
What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries?
Measures under the Lithuanian Health programme will focus primarily on two areas: Strengthened community-based mental health services, and increased wellbeing of children and youth.
The main objective of the programme is improved prevention and reduced inequalities in health with emphasis on families, children and youth at risk in Lithuania. The programme is ambitious, aiming to, inter alia, serve more than 20 000 beneficiaries, train 532 people, improve the services of 500 health offices and establish/pilot/improve 29 health care service models, mainly through soft measures. The programme will support improved mental health services for the population in general, and special support for children and youth at risk through measures to improve children’s mental health, youth friendly health care services, family therapy and parent training, improved school health offices and early intervention home visitation programmes.
How will the programme strengthen bilateral relations?
Exchange of knowledge, best practices and values are important to address common challenges that Lithuania and the Donor States face in the health sector. Partnerships between entities in Lithuania and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will be encouraged at project level through matchmaking events and activities in conjunction with the launch of calls for proposals. These partnerships are expected to strengthen bilateral relations, mutually beneficial activities and long-lasting cooperation between the partners.
Availability of funding through open calls
In addition to five pre-defined projects in the programme agreement, funding will be made available through four open calls and two small grant schemes (SGS), tentatively planned for the following dates:
- Call 1: “Community-based mental health services” – first quarter 2020
- Call 2: “One-stop family and children centres” – first quarter 2020
- Call 3: “Health offices in pre-schools and schools” – first quarter 2020
- Call 4: “Support mechanisms for vulnerable children and youngsters at risk” – fourth quarter 2020
- SGS 1: Funding for municipalities to implement training programme developed in pre-defined project (PDP3) – second quarter 2020
- SGS 2: Funding for local authorities and healthcare institutions wishing to organise and provide services from pre-defined project (PDP5) – second quarter 2020
Download the full programme agreement for more detailed information about the programme.
More information can also be found on the Programme Operator’s website and the NIPH and the HDIR.