“Create Lithuania” is a programme which attracts young professionals with foreign experience to work for Lithuanian public sector.
“Create Lithuania” is the programme for professional development and the applicability of best foreign practices to Lithuania. It forms a cooperation model between the world Lithuanian community and Lithuania’s public sector while enabling the professionals to contribute towards shaping the future of modern Lithuania with their knowledge and ideas.
As emigration rates in Lithuania are very high, the programme was created as a tool to attract young proffesionals (Lithuanian citizens) back to Lithuania to implement innovative projects in public sector and to encourage their involvement into the public sector after the completion of the programme.
It promotes knowledge circulation (from foreign and private sector), enhances an interest in public service and the opportunities to create country’s well-being.
Since 2012, “Create Lithuania” has been annually inviting professionals with internationally acquired experience to participate in the programme. For 12 months participants advise (on rotating basis) public sector bodies on national and regional issues in the areas such as the improvement of Lithuania’s image, the enhancement of competitiveness and business environment, the promotion of entrepreneurship and foreign direct investment, etc. In cooperation with the programme participants and the involvement of other stakeholders (businesses, NGOs), public sector officials are given the opportunity for professional development when solving complex problems.
Resources needed
Participants in the programme are employed at “Invest Lithuania ” with a full time position. Working 12 months, participants receive a salary corresponding to their responsibilities and duties.
Evidence of success
More then 210 participants came back to Lithuania to participate in the programme. 80% of them stayed in Lithuania after the completion of their projects and 30% of them continued their work in public sector. There were 230 projects implemented and app 50 public institutions were involved in it and received professional expertise. 4 projects received international awards and nominations.
Potential for learning or transfer
Attention to monitoring and evaluation process contributed significantly to the improvement of the programme.
The goals of the programme were measured while evaluating the talent attraction, project implementation and the activities after completion of the programme.
Every year monitoring the results helped to improve:
• selection process;
• communication campaigns;
• project management;
• satisfaction of training;
• satisfaction within the program and etc.
However, there are difficulties in measuring social and economic impact of the projects because of the costs and the time and human resources needed for it.
Tags: Innovation, Monitoring, Public sector, Youth
