The role of the Baltic States in supporting Ukraine's education system during the war. The case of the Republic of Lithuania

• In Event: Politics of Plurality in Lithuanian Higher Education

Abstract

Well before the February 2022 escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war, representatives of all three Baltic states have been some of the most vocal proponents warning about the impending Russian threat in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region.
From military support for Ukraine, to implementing sanctions against Russia, the Baltic states are paying a high price in terms of economic and social costs.
Despite some of the socio-economic hardships, Lithuanians remain active supporters of the Ukrainian's fight for freedom. The vivid memory of Russian occupation during the Soviet period, and the fight for their own freedom motivated many Lithuanians to support Ukrainian initiatives.
The Ministry of Education, Science and sports of Lithuania supports Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave their native Ukraine due to the war. Support is provided at all levels of Education: Pre-School, school and higher education.
For example, in the academic year 2023, all citizens of Ukraine who study full-time in the first cycle of study are granted a scholarship of 300 euros per month, the education of 700 students is partially paid by the state (60%), the rest is paid by the higher education institution. For 60 students with Ukrainian citizenship, the full tuition fee is covered and a scholarship of 490 euros per month is paid.
The article describes the mechanisms of interaction between the education systems of the Baltic states and Ukraine on the example of real cases.

Short Bio

Kateryna Horiunova - researcher of the Department of Business and Rural Development Management, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania. Senior lecturer of the department of Marketing and Tourism of Mariupol State University, Kyiv, Ukraine. Also the Project Senior Expert in an Alliance of European Universities Transform4Europe. Since September 2023 – coordinator of the Mariupol State University Center at Vitautas Magnus University.

Author

• Kateryna Horiunova, Vytautas Magnus University