The Government of the Republic of Lithuania
Diagram of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and Related Structures
Description of the Diagram of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and Related Structures
In the diagram of the Seimas and related structures, we examined the formation of higher education policy, and now we will move on to its implementation. The state's science and studies policy is implemented by the Government, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, and other ministries.
This diagram presents the organisational structure of the Government and the activities of related structures, as well as the relationships between them. This structure is based on the Government's Rules of Procedure, which can be found here, and the Law on the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
The government contributes to the implementation of higher education policy in two ways. First, it submits conclusions to Seimas committees on proposed draft laws and provides explanations to Seimas members on current and pending issues, or initiates amendments to laws itself.
Secondly, certain decisions may be adopted by resolutions of the Government, so, just as in the case of the Seimas, it is important to know how the work of the Government is organized and how the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Government, and each ministry contribute to it.
Since student representatives can apply directly to the Government for the initiation or amendment of Government resolutions, the diagram shows the issues related to students that are supervised by the relevant ministries.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports is directly responsible for higher education and study policy. More information about this ministry can be found [here]{.mark}.
You can read more about the procedures for considering government resolutions [here]{.mark}.
The Government
The government is the executive branch of the Republic of Lithuania. The Government is composed of the Prime Minister and the ministers of the 14 ministries, all appointed by the Seimas for a four-year term.
The Government coordinates the activities of ministries and other government institutions, implements laws passed by the Seimas, proposes draft laws, prepares the State budget draft, and, once approved by the Seimas, ensures its smooth implementation. It performs other duties assigned to the Government by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and other laws.
The government's influence in higher education policy processes is deciding and executive: draft laws related to higher education policy processes are registered and submitted to the Seimas, and decisions are made at government meetings in accordance with the competences assigned to it in higher education matters.
More information about the Government's activities:
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister represents the Government and directs its activities, submits the Government's program to the Seimas for consideration, and chairs Government meetings.
You can find more detailed information here:
The Office of the Prime Minister
Organizes meetings and events attended by the Prime Minister.
You can find more detailed information here.
Advisors to the Prime Minister
Advisors to the Prime Minister are politically appointed civil servants who advise the Prime Minister on issues in their respective fields of expertise.
You can find the Prime Minister's advisors here.
Working groups established by the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister may establish working groups to perform the tasks assigned by him. These working groups may be composed of representatives of state and municipal institutions and agencies, associations, scientific and academic institutions, independent experts, and, where necessary, other persons. Representatives of municipal institutions and agencies are delegated to the Prime Minister's working groups by municipal councils or mayors, and civil servants and employees of the Seimas Chancellery working under employment contracts are delegated by the Chancellor of the Seimas.
Government Chancellery
The Government Chancellery assists in the performance of the functions of the Government and the Prime Minister. The Government Chancellery is headed by the Government Chancellor.
You can find more detailed information [here]{.mark}.
Chancellor of the Government
The Chancellor of the Government organizes the analysis and coordination of draft legislation submitted to the Government and the Prime Minister, organizes the preparation of Government meetings and consultations with representatives of ministries.
You can find more detailed information here.
Government committees and commissions
Their purpose is to provide the Government with proposals on its priorities, policies, and strategies in specific areas and their compliance with the National Progress Strategy, to coordinate the positions of ministers in resolving matters of state governance, where necessary, and to perform other tasks and functions assigned by the Government.
Government commissions may be composed of representatives of state and municipal institutions and agencies, associations, scientific and academic institutions, independent experts, and, where necessary, other persons. Representatives of municipal institutions and agencies are delegated to government commissions by municipal councils or mayors, while civil servants and employees of the Seimas Chancellery working under employment contracts are delegated by the Chancellor of the Seimas.
The commission related to higher education operating within the Government is the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation ([STRATA]{.mark}).
You can find more detailed information [here]{.mark}.
Ministries of the Republic of Lithuania
The ministry is established to shape state policy and coordinate its implementation in areas assigned to the minister. The minister manages the ministry and decides on matters falling within the ministry's competence.
You can find more detailed information here.
Ministry of the Environment
Develops and oversees climate change management policy, related educational activities, and regulation. Administers and finances climate change program projects.
Oversees the United Nations agenda for sustainable development goals, shapes the implementation of this agenda in Lithuania and its strategy.
Prepares requirements and recommendations for urban development supported by sustainable development goals. (relevant for academic campuses and their sustainable development) Its recommendations and requirements establish quality criteria for the construction of new buildings (dormitories or other university buildings).
You can establish internships and provide other opportunities for students studying environmental protection or natural sciences fields.
May establish scholarships for the targeted encouragement of students studying in fields related to environmental protection.
For more details, please visit: https://am.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of the Economy and Innovation
Establishes institutions and projects aimed at creating innovations and business start-ups (e.g., student start-ups)
It ensures digital competence in society and business by implementing programs and shaping the demand for state specialists in the digital field.
It oversees the "4th Industry" program and the transformation of industrial processes through digitization. This provides students with the opportunity to apply specific knowledge during internships and pursue industrial doctoral studies. (or bring bachelor's and master's studies closer to market demands)
Can provide internships for students studying management, economics, or innovation-related study programs.
Can provide targeted funding for student entrepreneurship initiatives and for students in management, economics, or innovation-related study programs.
For more details, please visit: https://eimin.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Energy
Manages climate change issues through the development of renewable energy resources. Manages the energy sector and state-owned companies operating in it, where students from natural science fields of study do their internships.
Can establish scholarships for the targeted support of students pursuing studies in physics, technology, or engineering related to energy.
For more details, please visit: https://enmin.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Finance
Manages state property through the activities of the ministry and its subordinate institutions (some dormitories are owned by institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Finance).
Manages state budget allocations (funds allocated) for education and science, advises on their appropriate use, and evaluates it.
Assesses the use of financial indicators in legislation (e.g., in education, how scholarships are calculated) and provides conclusions on their appropriateness.
For more details, please visit: https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of National Defense
Formulates military service policy, establishes requirements for its implementation and conscription into the army.
Oversees the training of paramedics relevant to the Lithuanian Armed Forces (close to medical studies and students).
Funds specific higher education institutions focused on military studies (MAL)
Organizes training for young military commanders.
For more details, please visit: https://kam.lt/en/
Ministry of Culture
Supports cultural projects developed by the academic community. Relevant for students of arts and humanities.
Oversees journalism and public information preparation, establishes requirements and standards for journalism and public information preparation activities. Relevant for students studying communication studies.
Oversees the activities of museums, libraries, and archives that are important for the internships and research work of students of history, philology, philosophy, and other social sciences.
Funds and supports cultural and/or civic activities implemented by young people.
May award scholarships to students for cultural and social activities.
For more details, please visit: https://lrkm.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Social Security and Labor
Takes care of social support allocation and distribution policy, criteria for determining eligibility for social support (criteria for social scholarships).
Takes care of policies for protecting the rights of socially vulnerable persons (e.g., those with individual needs).
Takes care of workers' rights and supervises labor relations, coordinating the interests of employees, workers, and the state.
Promotes and develops the activities of non-governmental (and youth) organizations.
Addresses issues of gender equality and policies implemented by the state and public institutions.
Can provide internships for students studying social work and politics-related study programs.
Can develop types of social support and scholarships, expand the criteria for providing support, and resolve issues related to student work.
For more details, please visit: https://socmin.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Responsible for passenger transport, safety, and discounts in the areas of railway, roads, sea, inland waterways, and air transportation, shaping practices and scholarships in these areas.
For more details, please visit: https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Health
The Ministry is responsible for promoting and protecting the health of the population, ensuring high-quality, safe, and universally accessible healthcare and disease prevention. It is responsible for the formation of state-funded residency places, mental health issues, health insurance, e-health care, medical institutions, and incentives for students studying health sciences programs.
For more details, please visit: https://sam.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport
Responsible for education issues, enrolment in higher education institutions, pedagogical studies and their development, financing of higher education institutions, distribution of study places, study quality, social dimension, physical health and professional sports issues. It takes care of incentives for students studying in related fields of education.
For more details on the structure of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, see: https://smsm.lrv.lt/en/structure-and-contacts/ministry-structure/
For more details, please visit: https://smsm.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Justice
Coordinates legal issues, takes care of incentives for students studying in related fields of study.
For more details, please visit: https://tm.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Coordinates EU issues, coordination of issues related to foreign students, mobility issues, and takes care of incentives for students studying in related fields of study.
For more details, please visit: https://www.urm.lt/en
Ministry of the interior
Deals with regional development issues, NGO coordination, student migration, public safety issues, coordinates incentives for students studying in related fields.
For more details, please visit: https://vrm.lrv.lt/en/
Ministry of Agriculture
It is responsible for the development of agricultural sciences and provides incentives for students studying in related fields.
For more details, please visit: https://zum.lrv.lt/en/
Subordinate institutions
The government has 18 subordinate institutions. You can find more detailed information [here]{.mark}.