Summary:
The project aims to mitigate the negative social impact of the COVID-19 crisis on society by providing on the free Silver Line 8 800 800 20 the emotional support and accurate, prompt and reliable information on pandemic issues (including physical assistance at home), with clear instructions on how to deal with a crisis, emotional support and comfort in the event of a crisis, organizing telephone befriending services with volunteers to maintain social relationships.
The project target group: people over the age of 60, especially those lonely and living alone, who face difficulties in exercising their rights and basic needs in the face of the crisis. Being the most vulnerable group to coronavirus, older people do experience higher levels of social exclusion during the quarantine due to the strict prevention measures as well as the information exclusion due to the transition of communication to the digital space. Increased anxiety and panic over COVID-19, pose at a greater risk the psychological health of older population. “Sidabrinė Linija” a Coronavirus hotline helped to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the target group and the society at large.
Project implementation period: 28/04/2020 - 28/06/2020
Summary:
The project encouraged Lithuanian society to support actively the efforts of non-governmental organizations and researchers by persuading decision-makers to take into account the needs of the most vulnerable groups in society while combating the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Using social media and online media the project's information and advocacy campaign attracted 1900 active citizens' votes in support of proposals to the government to ensure adequate incomes, affordable social services and adequate protection of human rights in the crisis response. The advocacy and communication activities carried out during the project mobilized a critical mass of active citizens and media attention and, thus, will have a lasting impact on the development of the state, while improving the representation of the interests of the most vulnerable groups in society.
Project implementation period: 28/04/2020 - 28/06/2020
Summary:
Problem: The Law on Protection of Whistleblowers is already in effect in Lithuania, yet many institutions do not ensure the safety of the internal reporting channels. Only one out of five people are willing to report about corruption. The main reason for not reporting is the fear of retaliation.
Solution: An advocacy campaign to enhance whistleblowers’ protection, based on the insights from the evaluation of internal reporting channels of 117 public sector institutions conducted in co-operation with the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Results: (1) better TI Lithuania’s advocacy work and monitoring of institutions based on the insights obtained; (2) increased level of transparency, accountability, and good governance of the institutions in question; (3) improved opportunities for more active citizen monitoring of institutions; (4) enhanced co-operation of TI Lithuania with its partners.
9 out of 10 institutions provide the employees with an opportunity to report wrongdoing at work
Project implementation period: 1/5/2020 – 30/11/2020
Summary:
The second part of the project "At the Front Lines" was implemented during the second quarantine in Lithuania. This part of the project was supported by a large team of physicians who shared the latest information on COVID-19 prevention, spread and the potential consequences to humans' health. The content and aim of the project in the format of videos, articles and photos were shared in the most popular Lithuanian online news platform DELFI.lt. During quarantine, the project contributed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the society, improving the image and credibility of Lithuanian healthcare providers and the health system as a whole.
Implementation period: 7/11/2020 – 30/1/2020
Summary:
The project implemented several activities, targeted at increasing transparency and defending right to information and free speech in Sirvintos, a Lithuanian region heavily dominated by a narrow group of political power players. The project included three online trainings for local independent journalists and activists. The trainees were presented with tools and techniques of investigative reporting, their professional skills were significantly improved. In the next stage of the project, two investigations were conducted, exposing the most influential politicians of the region: Zivile Pinskuviene, the mayor, and her spouse Jonas Pinskus, elected to the Lithuanian parliament in the Sirvintos constituency. The investigations revealed that some of the mayor’s wealth is of unknown origin, with several indications of money laundering risks, while her spouse has been concealing ties to people affiliated with organized crime, cigarette smuggling and money laundering. The investigations reached at least 60,000 people. The public, both locally in Sirvintos and on the national level, was well informed about the problematics of freedom of speech in Sirvintos, and the transparency of local government was increased, although the politicians themselves assaulted the journalists and called them a “well organized gang” of “criminal journalism”.
Implementation period: 1/12/2020 – 12/4/2020
Summary:
Project aimed at increasing awareness and interest of teachers and students about relevant human rights issues, existing on the current political agenda of the Government and on the migration crises at the border of Lithuania. In the framework of the project three e-newsletters „I think“ were prepared on the topics. Each suggested carefully crafted and selected texts on the topics, reflecting a variety of positions. The three topics covered were Partnership law, migration crisis and Istanbul Convention (in relation to the renewal of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence). As the result of the project, we helped to educate teachers and students about the mentioned human rights topics, develop critical thinking, media literacy, respectful and argumentative discussion skills, and in the long run - to the stronger civil society.
Implementation period: 01/05/2021 – 31/10/2021
Summary:
The aim of the project “Think As You think” is to strengthen the civic community of smaller Lithuanian municipal schools by developing the ability not to follow negative prejudices, creating an inclusive community and creating favorable conditions for the integration of vulnerable groups and a dignified life.
During the project, a human rights communication campaign was implemented, during which educational videos were created and publicized, denying stereotypes about 4 selected social groups, maintaining contact with the communities of smaller Lithuanian municipalities and creating an environment favorable for integration in schools.
Granted amount: 5000 EUR
Implementation period: 2021-07-01 iki 2021-12-31
Summary:
The project “Strong Regions - Strong State” aims to strengthen the competencies of the non-governmental sector representatives who are delegated to Partner Groups under the Regional Development Councils. The main objective of the project is to ensure that delegates can properly represent the non-governmental sector in the regions, contributing to changes in public policy. The main focus is on the development of representation, submission and presentation of proposals or recommendations, advocacy, decision-making, and the development of negotiation competencies. The project also created and is developing a network of delegated representatives. Cooperation and communication between them, sharing of experience and good practice is encouraged. Experts from national umbrella organizations also took part in the networking, sharing their experience. It will also continue to share insights, relevant documents and issues from his / her supervised sectors after the end of the project.
Implementation period: 20/06/2021 – 20/12/2021
Summary: As the elections approach, radical rhetoric and disinformation are on the rise in the public sphere. Misinformation on family policy issues, including the Life Skills Programme, the adoption of the Civil Union Law, and the reform of recreational forms for children in kindergartens, is being actively spread. This spread of misinformation threatens to halt programs, disrupt children's education, and prevent necessary reforms from being implemented. The public authorities have not provided funding for a communication campaign, leaving an information vacuum.
In an ad-hoc project, the Families' Association, together with its partners, aims to carry out a communication campaign to reduce the impact of misinformation and to promote a debate based on scientific information and arguments. The target audience of the communication campaign is families and parents, politicians, and the education community. After developing the communication campaign plan and content, and creating and defining communication criteria tailored to the target group, the goal is to run and manage a two-month campaign on the organizations' websites, Facebook, and Contribee platform.
Implementation period: 10/10/2023 – 15/01/2024
Summary:
Problem: The project aimed to ensure free access to public data for civil society organizations (CSOs). Up until now, in Lithuania, CSOs have not had free full access to public data in state registers, such as the company register maintained by the Center of Registers. This has been the case despite CSOs acting in the public interest, participating in decision-making processes, submitting proposals to state institutions, and sharing their research and recommendations publicly for free.
Solution and Results: Transparency International Lithuania (TI Lithuania) created an informal CSO advocacy coalition and developed a regulatory model outlining the eligibility criteria for CSOs to access data, its purposes, and criteria. TI Lithuania submitted it to the Center of Registers while also sharing relevant information publicly: https://transparency.lt/pvo-pasiulymai/. Additionally, TI Lithuania prepared a set of necessary amendments to Lithuanian laws and other legal acts (10 legal acts in total) to grant CSOs the same access to free public data that journalists currently have in Lithuania. TI Lithuania hopes to continue using these materials to further advocate for access to data. Finally, during the project, TI Lithuania promoted the conversation about the importance of data openness in Lithuania by communicating with coalition partners, other non-governmental organizations, public sector representatives, and also strengthened its knowledge in this field during meetings with foreign experts.
Links: https://transparency.lt/pvo-pasiulymai/
Granted amount: 3780 EUR
Implementation period: 2023-11-01 – 2024-01-15
Summary:
Following the debate over the suspension of the Life Skills programme, LMS expressed support for it and was supported by youth and human rights organisations. The notice to politicians emphasizes that attempts to eliminate sex education topics are harmful to proper education. Additionally, disinformation campaigns against the Life Skills Program are particularly active in Lithuania, fake news are widespread on social networks and the content of the program is and misinterpreted. This is a national issue that can have a direct negative impact on sex education in schools. Thus, the project will aim to provide accurate information related to the content of the Program and sexual education. In order to explain the benefits of the program, information campaigns will be organized, and for the effective implementation of the program, a round table discussion will be initiated to which NGO representatives are invited. After the discussion, the recommendations are sent to the relevant authorities.
Links: https://www.facebook.com/stebekteises
Granted amount: 4500 EUR
Implementation period: 2023-11-10 – 2024-01-15
Summary:
Encouraged by NGOs in 2023 The Seimas appealed to the CC regarding the constitutionality of the IC and the discussion on the ratification of IC moved to a new level. The practice of other countries shows that regarding IC, Constitutional courts decisions are only positive.VWH's project is concerned with boosting a vigorous advocacy, in preparing for the time when the issue of ratification of IC will be resumed by Seimas after receiving the CC response.
The project aimed to provide relevant information about the content and objectives of IC, which would counterbalance the disinformation spread by the radical right. With this project, we strengthened public awareness, the advocacy capacities of NGOs and encouraged positive attitudes towards ratification of IC among the decision-makers. The target group of the project are NGOs, decision-makers, the general public. Main activities: delivering information packages to NGOs; 2 street actions by Seimas; 2 webinars; 1 Conference; Resolution 1;
Results - increased public awareness of the objectives and content of IC, NGOs provided with relevant tools for advocacy and information for their local communities. NGOs capacity for advocacy strengthened, positive attitudes towards ratification of IC strengthened among the decision-makers, highlighting the importance of ratification of IC and passing gender specific laws as required by IC. The project has increased the public's resilience to disinformation spread by the radical right. The discourse of women’s human rights support promoted, the relevant information disseminated.
The overall importance – increased public awareness, strengthen advocacy for women’s human rights enforcement and combating all forms of violence against women; supporting the ratification of the most progressive document in this field, IC.
Granted amount: 4500 EUR
Implementation period: 2023-11-10 – 2024-01-15
Summary:
The Life Skills Program has been implemented in Lithuanian schools since September 2023, aiming to cultivate students' abilities to recognize and overcome emerging problems. Although this program is highly important and beneficial, it has faced mass disinformation and resistance in the public sphere. Considering this, the goal of the "#IfYouKnew" project was to disseminate quality information corresponding to human rights discourse, based on scientific knowledge and practical stories. The project aimed to reach moderate parents concerned about their children's well-being, parents undecided about the significance of the Life Skills Program, and individuals interested in human rights and willing to contribute to the dissemination of human rights principles.
Activities and related outcomes of the project:
1. Collection and systematization of publicly available research and survey data on various topics related to sexual education and human rights - LGBTQAI+ issues (homophobic bullying, identity disclosure, coming out), body image, mental health studies among young people, harassment, violence/abuse, gender stereotypes (both in schools and in society at large), sexual lives and pregnancies of minors, abortions, reproductive health.
2. Preparation of two articles based on the systematized data, which were published on the website manoteises.lt and shared on Facebook, receiving considerable reactions and comments.
3. Conducted a survey with personal stories, which was filled out by 11 young individuals. The stories covered experiences of sexual harassment, identity, disclosure, body acceptance, violence, abuse, and relationships with parents. Some of these stories were used in creating video messages and as examples in the articles.
4. Personal stories were narrated by three well-known opinion influencers. In total, 10 different stories were narrated, and four videos were produced incorporating them. These videos were published on the project organizers' Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram channels.
Links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYToAXHa-iM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE9m4pgd6Q4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3JSWKqxHo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzuM0nrNdyo
Granted amount: 4761,59 EUR
Implementation period: 2023-11-10 – 2024-01-15
Summary:
The project was investigating politicians and organisations affiliated with people and entities close to the Russian regime. The project‘s aim was to inform the society about these connections and identify possible cases of tax evasion, as well as conduct some preventive work, in order to get the Lithuanian audience somewhat more resilient, when it comes to disinformation and manipulations, undertaken to weaken the country‘s overall agenda in support of Ukraine. The work was especially important in the curent context, since disinformation and other attempts to disturb the political field are a highly relevant topic in the light of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
The target group consisted of general public, decision maker and government bodies, responsible for taxation and national security.
While implementing the project, two investigative stories were published with an overall reach of more than 100,000 people (including direct reach and re-publishing of the two stories in other media outlets). The investigative stories were conducted in an attempt to raise public awareness and initiate action on the part of government bodies.
Both socio-political and institutional reactions were initiated. The State Tax Inspectorate responded to both stories by initiating relevant measures. In case of the first story, the tax office launched an official tax probe into a company beneficially owned by a close affiliate of a recently sanctioned Russian oligarch; the probe is still ongoing. In the case of the second story, the tax office immediately identified a case of tax evasion and took steps to ensure the state budget receives the taxes that were previously dodged. Overall, both stories increased the public awareness in issues like risks connected to Russian influence, lack of transparency in the real estate sector, methods of disinformation etc. In particular, the second investigation identified a youth organisation, officially established to defend the rights of students, being affiliated with openly pro-Kremlin actors deemed to be a threat to Lithuania‘s national security. Both stories also contributed to increasing the general public‘s resilience towards manipulations and other means of disinformation.
Even without the direct impact achieved thanks to the measures taken by the tax office, the two investigative stories have reached their primary goal if raising awareness of risks connected to Russian influence in the Baltic region. The first story that focused on the political aspect identified high-ranking politicians affiliated with the inner circle of a recently-sanctioned Russian oligarch and pinpointed the deficiencies in transparency and AML procedures, when it comes to the real estate sector and company formation activities. The second story identified the connections among seemingly unrelated organisations and their common goal to manipulate the public opinion and thereby affect decision making across the country. The stories also identified two likely cases of tax evasion, one of which was immediately confirmed and relevant action was taken, for the state to receive the taxes that were previously dodged.
Links:
- https://www.siena.lt/news/jonas-ir-generolas-kas-sieja-jona-pinsku-ir-rusija
- https://www.siena.lt/news/marsaeigis-kas-sieja-minfo-paleckininkus-ir-pries-skiepus-kovojancius-studentus
Granted amount: 4750 EUR
Implementation period: 2022-04-08 – 2022-10-09
Summary:
The project was investigating politicians and organisations affiliated with people and entities close to the Russian regime. The project‘s aim was to inform the society about these connections and identify possible cases of tax evasion, as well as conduct some preventive work, in order to get the Lithuanian audience somewhat more resilient, when it comes to disinformation and manipulations, undertaken to weaken the country‘s overall agenda in support of Ukraine. The work was especially important in the curent context, since disinformation and other attempts to disturb the political field are a highly relevant topic in the light of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
The target group consisted of general public, decision maker and government bodies, responsible for taxation and national security.
While implementing the project, two investigative stories were published with an overall reach of more than 100,000 people (including direct reach and re-publishing of the two stories in other media outlets). The investigative stories were conducted in an attempt to raise public awareness and initiate action on the part of government bodies.
Both socio-political and institutional reactions were initiated. The State Tax Inspectorate responded to both stories by initiating relevant measures. In case of the first story, the tax office launched an official tax probe into a company beneficially owned by a close affiliate of a recently sanctioned Russian oligarch; the probe is still ongoing. In the case of the second story, the tax office immediately identified a case of tax evasion and took steps to ensure the state budget receives the taxes that were previously dodged. Overall, both stories increased the public awareness in issues like risks connected to Russian influence, lack of transparency in the real estate sector, methods of disinformation etc. In particular, the second investigation identified a youth organisation, officially established to defend the rights of students, being affiliated with openly pro-Kremlin actors deemed to be a threat to Lithuania‘s national security. Both stories also contributed to increasing the general public‘s resilience towards manipulations and other means of disinformation.
Even without the direct impact achieved thanks to the measures taken by the tax office, the two investigative stories have reached their primary goal if raising awareness of risks connected to Russian influence in the Baltic region. The first story that focused on the political aspect identified high-ranking politicians affiliated with the inner circle of a recently-sanctioned Russian oligarch and pinpointed the deficiencies in transparency and AML procedures, when it comes to the real estate sector and company formation activities. The second story identified the connections among seemingly unrelated organisations and their common goal to manipulate the public opinion and thereby affect decision making across the country. The stories also identified two likely cases of tax evasion, one of which was immediately confirmed and relevant action was taken, for the state to receive the taxes that were previously dodged.
Links:
- https://www.siena.lt/news/jonas-ir-generolas-kas-sieja-jona-pinsku-ir-rusija
- https://www.siena.lt/news/marsaeigis-kas-sieja-minfo-paleckininkus-ir-pries-skiepus-kovojancius-studentus
Granted amount: 4750 EUR
Implementation period: 2022-04-08 – 2022-10-09
Summary:
The project aims to assess implementation and assurance of obligations under international law of Lithuania.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), accomplished the monitoring of the implementation of human rights in society, revealing human violations, promoting the accountability of responsible institutions. The purpose of the prepared report is to check and evaluate human right standards recognition in Lithuania and the compliance of obligations of the responsible institutions. Target group of the project - national and municipal level social policy makers, media representatives - working in the areas of human rights, health, social security, etc. The result of the project is the preparation of a report covering the results of vulnerable groups of people in Lithuania, based on economic, social and cultural indicators. The recommendations presented by the Committee were received, and a joint discussion was held with representatives of NGOs and relevant Lithuanian institutions. The aim of the project was to assess the implementation of international and national norms and standards, to reveal the violation of human rights that encouraged the occurrence of these events. During monitoring, problems and shortcomings in the implementation of the international document standard were identified. This allows for planning, policy changes to improve the existing specific area. Representatives of 5 non-governmental organizations contributed to the shadow report, providing data and assessment on the implementation of the rights of various groups of vulnerable persons in Lithuania. The project promotes NGO concentration, cooperation, exchange information and interdisciplinary connections.
Links: https://www.lnf.lt/ivertino-zmogaus-teisiu-pazanga-lietuvoje-pokyciai-drungni/
Granted amount: 4875,15 EUR
Implementation period: 2022-10-01 – 2023-03-31
Summary:
Between the Vilnius City Municipality and the Organization (VIGF) in the period from 21/05/2021 to 23/05/2023, legal proceedings took place due to the insufficient involvement of the interested public in the consideration of the reconstruction project of Tauro Kalnos Park. Through these legal proceedings and the subsequent active participation in administrative procedures (submitting proposals), a clear message was given that the interested public is closely monitoring the reconstruction project of Mount Tauros park, which is important to them, and is capable of defending its rights through legal means, if the municipality ignores the conclusions of specialists and dialogue with the public. This project, based on the Aarhus Convention and all legal instruments used during the project, aimed to explore and expand the limits of possibilities of the interested society in protecting the public interest in the process of environmental change.
Although the project was most relevant for the residents of the surroundings of Tauro kalnos park and the people of Vilnius concerned about environmental protection, this process together made it possible to highlight the fundamental shortcomings of the preparation of environmental projects, which are prerequisites for activating the importance of non-governmental organizations throughout Lithuania - this increased the activation of non-governmental organizations (especially communities) and individual public figures and motivation to seek to protect the public interest.
In the course of the project, the essential services were directed to legal efforts and legal services that condition them, as well as dissemination of the protection of public interest through the objectives of the implementation of the Project.
The objectives of the project were achieved: the target group gained confidence that the Stakeholder has the opportunity to have a real impact on the implementation of the project related to environmental change. The final webinar, which took place on September 20, 2023, remotely confirmed the importance of the project and the increased interest of communities in expanding legal opportunities and exercising their rights.
The project has become an important tool in expanding the advocacy opportunities of the interested public, aiming for greater inclusion in the consideration of environmental change projects with the help of both judicial procedures and administrative procedures.
Independent partners were not included in the project, but online visibility (SEO) services were successfully provided by the services of the debuting business group "Seo Sesės".
Links: www.vigfondas.lt
Granted amount: 4500 EUR
Implementation period: 2023-03-24 – 2023-09-24