Background information

People who are unemployed or low incomes earners with entrepreneurial ambitions can receive support to start a business in the information technology, green and circular economies by the government. The support amounts to €25 million and is expected to create over 1,300 new jobs by the second quarter of 2026.

The first 700 applications will be accepted by the end of 2023 (the first 300 applications – by the end of June, 2023). The measure will be implemented by the Public Employment Service and financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Content of measure

Ministry of Social Security and Labour announced that unemployed or low incomes earners will soon be able to apply for a selection process and, if successful, receive up to €26,000 (31 minimum monthly wage, MMW) to start a business in the information technology, green and circular economies. The funds can be used to purchase equipment, furnish or renovate premises. Eligible applicants must be:

• Unemployed people who have lost their job at any time after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (after 26 February 2020)
• Employees earning up to 1.5 MMW (up to €1,260 gross)

Priority for support will be given to those who create jobs for a lower amount. The following persons will also receive priority (extra points in the evaluation of applications):

• persons with children
• students
• re-emigrants
• young (up to 29 years old) and older (aged 50+) or with disabilities persons
• persons who are going to create jobs in regions with higher unemployment

The selection process will not only assess the applicant, but also their business idea and their ability to implement it.

Use of measure

No information yet.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment Unemployed Other groups of workers Older people in employment (aged 55+) Youth (18-25) in employment Parents in employment Disabled workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Local / regional government Public employment service	European Funds National Recovery and Resilience Facility

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The measure is drafted and implemented by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour and the public employment service. Social partners participate in tripartite councils, functioning under the Ministry and the public employment service. They also are supervising the use of the European funds. Therefore they are included at different stages of the measure drafting/implementation.

Views and reactions

No publicly available specific information.

Sources

• 29 May 2023: M. Navickienė: up to €26,000 support for future jobs for those considering starting their own business (socmin.lrv.lt)
• 29 May 2023: The Employment Service will help people planning to start a busines (www.15min.lt)