The development of Lithuanian language education abroad is a key priority of the diaspora policy, ensuring a strong and lasting relationship between the state and the diaspora in the future. According to the Register of Lithuanian Education and Science Institutions, as of December 2025, there were 254 Lithuanian education institutions abroad (235 non-formal education schools and 19 general education institutions). Approximately 11,500 children and young adults were enrolled in these institutions.
The network of Lithuanian language schools continues to expand each year. In 2025 alone, 12 Lithuanian language schools were newly established, reopened, or established new branches worldwide. This year, after a pause of 25 years, a Lithuanian school "Kernavė" in Brazil resumed its operations and after a 12-year break, the Edmonton Lithuanian "Klevas" school in Canada also reopened. Six new schools were established in Canada, the Kingdom of Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Portugal, and France.
Students living abroad also have an opportunity to study in Lithuania remotely. 9 public and privete schools in Lithuania offer online education programs for children abroad, alongside virtual non-formal Lithuanian schools providing additional online education services.
Find the nearest Lithuanian school here
Are You interested in establishing a Lithuanian school abroad? Click here for information on registering Lithuanian schools (in Lithuanian)
Funding
Since January 1, 2023, Lithuanian language schools abroad have been receiving permanent financial support from the state budget. The decision aims to increase the number of children and young adults attending Lithuanian language schools abroad and to strengthen these institutions. The funding can be used to cover expenses such as rent, maintenance of the premises, teacher salaries, educational materials, and bank administration fees.
Details on the funding procedure (in Lithuanian)
Each year, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport funds projects for non-formal Lithuanian education and sports initiatives for foreign Lithuanians.
Funding applications may be submitted by Lithuanian language schools and other registered educational institutions providing non-formal Lithuanian education abroad, or by organizations representing them.
Details on the funding procedure (in Lithuanian)
Communication campaigns
From 2021 onwards, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is creating communication campaigns to promote Lithuanian education abroad.
These campaigns aim to:
- encourage Lithuanian diaspora to join the community of Lithuanian language education institutions abroad.
- increase the visibility and prestige of Lithuanian language schools worldwide.
- boost enrollment in Lithuanian language education programs.
Forum of Lithuanian Education Abroad
Since 2020, Vytautas Magnus University, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Education Commission of the World Lithuanian Community and the Association of Lithuanian Language Schools have been organizing the annual Forum of Lithuanian Education Abroad. This event highlights the significance of Lithuanian education in foreign countries for Lithuanian society and the diaspora.
Watch recordings of the Forums of Lithuanian Education Abroad can be found here (in Lithuanian)