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On 11 April, Ignalina District Municipality organised an event “Back to Lithuania: opportunities to create and grow in Ignalina District”, during which the topical issues of the diaspora policy, the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consultation Centre “Grįžtu LT”, the possibilities of returning to Lithuania, and the importance of the connection with the compatriots abroad were presented.
"We are happy to see the growing interest of the diaspora in Lithuanian regions and the initiatives of municipalities to welcome returnees. The more information that reaches the diaspora, the more people will decide to return," said Tadas Kubilius, Head of the Return to Lithuania Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressing that compatriots living abroad first and foremost see their connection to Lithuania as a link to their home municipality.
The Mayor of Ignalina District Laimutis Ragaišis greeted the participants, representatives of the Employment Service's initiative “Gal to Lithuania” presented their activities, and representatives of the diaspora, institutions, business and NGOs shared and discussed their thoughts.
During the meeting, the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consultation Centre “Grįžtu LT” and the Ignalina Municipality in promoting return migration was discussed, as well as the topical issues and challenges faced by those who are considering returning to Lithuania, such as education, employment, housing, business creation and other issues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays a lot of attention to municipalities and encourages them to actively engage in the implementation of the diaspora policy, to keep in touch with their compatriots living abroad and to encourage Lithuanians to return to live and work in Lithuania. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consultation centre “Grįžtu LT”, which has been in operation since 2024, is a one-stop shop for returning, arriving or considering returning diaspora members.
According to the State Data Agency, for five years in a row now, more compatriots have returned to Lithuania than have left. Three times as many compatriots returned to the Ignalina District last year as left.