On 8 September, U-Connect Academy, a six-month comprehensive integration programme for Ukrainian women and children living in Lithuania, was launched at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania in Vilnius. The programme will be implemented simultaneously in three Lithuanian cities – Vilnius, Panevėžys and Utena.
U-Connect Academy aims to help Ukrainian women living in Lithuania strengthen their emotional resilience and self-confidence, build social connections and become more actively involved in their local communities. Particular attention is given to women who experience social isolation, are unemployed or work in jobs below their qualification level, are solely responsible for supporting their families, care for children or elderly relatives, or have limited Lithuanian or English language skills.
“Integration is about much more than having the opportunity to live, study or work in a new country. It is equally important to feel part of the community, build connections, have confidence in one’s abilities and have opportunities to participate actively in society. This programme addresses these different aspects of integration – from emotional well-being and personal growth to strengthening a sense of community,” says Brigita Nokonovičė, Senior Project Manager at the International Investments Division of the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
Six months of training, emotional support and community activities
From September to December, programme participants will meet every Thursday at libraries in Vilnius, Panevėžys and Utena. During this period, they will take part in 13 weekly sessions – eight training sessions and five group psychotherapy sessions.
The training will focus on self-confidence, personal growth and more active participation in community life. Women will also have access to individual coaching sessions, while creative workshops will provide an opportunity to develop ideas for their own community initiatives.
“When creating U-Connect Academy, we wanted to offer not a series of separate activities, but a consistent programme where women would have the time and space to take care of themselves, discover their strengths, build new connections and feel more confident in creating their lives in Lithuania. It is also very important that, by the end of the programme, they themselves will become creators of community initiatives and will have the opportunity to put the ideas developed here into practice,” says Monika Meilutytė, Project Manager at Ukreate Hub and the Open Lithuania Foundation.
Activities for children while their mothers learn
A distinctive feature of U-Connect Academy is that it focuses not only on women but also on their children. Children and young people aged 10–18 will be offered creative workshops where they will explore robotics, 3D design, digital technologies, photography and filmmaking. Activities and childcare will be provided for children under the age of 10 during the programme.
This approach is designed to enable women to participate fully in the programme while providing their children with meaningful activities that foster creativity, collaboration and the development of new skills.
Libraries – more than just meeting spaces
Programme activities will take place at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania in Vilnius, Panevėžys County G. Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library and Utena A. and M. Miškiniai Public Library.
Within the project, libraries serve as more than just venues for activities. They act as local integration centres, contribute to the development of activities for children and young people, and will organise community events together with programme participants.
The intensive training and group-session phase of U-Connect Academy will continue until 10 December. Individual coaching sessions, a closing event and idea workshops are planned for January and February 2027. In February, the programme will conclude with community events held at the libraries and created by programme participants together with library staff.
The programme is implemented by Ukreate Hub, a development space for the Ukrainian community, and the Open Lithuania Foundation, together with their partners – the social change incubator Domus Solis, the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, Panevėžys County G. Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library and Utena A. and M. Miškiniai Public Library.
U-Connect Academy is one of the initiatives under the Lithuanian–Swiss Cooperation Programme aimed at addressing specific societal needs and creating long-term value for people and communities.
The project “U-Connect: a comprehensive integration program for Ukrainian women and children” is financed by the Lithuanian–Swiss Cooperation Programme 2024–2029 and the State Budget of the Republic of Lithuania under the Swiss Confederation–Republic of Lithuania Cooperation Programme 2022–2029.
