A breakthrough opportunity is emerging for the Kaunas region – for the first time during this funding period, large industrial companies are being given the chance to receive financing for investments and create hundreds of new jobs. The call “Attracting foreign and local investors with high job-creation potential” is aimed at both foreign and Lithuanian companies ready to modernise manufacturing and contribute to the region’s transformation towards a climate-neutral economy. The total call budget amounts to €60 million, with up to €20.5 million available per project.
“With the planned investments, we seek the growth of Lithuania’s economy. Each newly attracted factory or technology centre means hundreds of jobs, greater regional attractiveness, and a stronger national economy. With this call, we want to encourage investors to choose Lithuania as a place to create high-value-added jobs and help ensure long-term business growth,” says Eglė Radišauskienė, Chancellor of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation.
“The Kaunas region is one of Lithuania’s strongest industrial centres, but at the same time, among the most challenged by the industrial transition towards a climate-neutral economy. With this call, we aim to attract investments that will not only create new jobs, but also help modernise manufacturing, introduce sustainable technologies, and secure the region’s competitiveness in the future,” says Gintarė Kuncaitytė, Head of Investment Evaluation at the Innovation Agency.
The call is open to large industrial companies operating under NACE section B (mining, except certain subsectors) and section C (manufacturing, except petroleum product manufacturing). Projects must implement both activities – investments in manufacturing and training for newly employed workers. Each project must create at least 50 new jobs.
“This call is important because it is not only about acquiring buildings or equipment. Investments must go hand in hand with job creation – therefore, training of new employees is a mandatory part of the project. This means that companies will not only be able to modernise manufacturing, but also ensure that employees acquire the necessary skills for industrial transformation – from technical to ecological or managerial competences,” emphasises G. Kuncaitytė.
Projects will be evaluated according to five priority criteria. More points will be awarded to companies that create well-paid jobs, produce technologies of critical importance, exceed the required number of jobs, demonstrate effectively organised employee training, or implement projects in the Jonava District Municipality. This selection logic ensures that funding will go not only to projects planning large investments but also to those generating long-term impact for the region.
“Companies receiving funding undertake not only to create but also to maintain jobs for at least five years after the project is completed. This ensures that the investments will have a real and lasting impact on the Kaunas region – not only today, but also in the years to come. We want each funded project to become part of a long-term industrial transformation,” stresses G. Kuncaitytė.
It is expected that at least four companies will sign contracts under this call. In total, at least 434 new jobs are planned to be created – a significant boost for the entire Kaunas region’s industry, strengthening the local economy and the region’s attractiveness to international investors.
“We understand that projects of this scale require a great deal of preparation, but companies should not be discouraged by the process of drafting an implementation plan. The Innovation Agency team is ready to consult, assist with documents, and answer all questions. This is an opportunity to obtain substantial financial support and become part of the region’s industrial transformation,” says G. Kuncaitytė.
Funding applications may be submitted until 31 March 2026. All information about the call conditions is published on www.esinvesticijos.lt and on the Innovation Agency’s website.
Source: Photo: A. Aleksandravičius
