SITUATION OF REEMIGRATION AND PARTNERSHIP IN LITHUANIAN DISTRICTS

Abstract

Object of the research – the role of the partnership between Šilutė District Municipality and the local action groups “Lamatos žemė“, “Pamario kraštas“, “Žuvėjų kraštas“ in implementation of the local project “Social dialogue: partnership for quality of life”, aimed at improving adaptation and integration processes of the re-emigrating persons.

Methods of the research: while analyzing the role of the partnership between Šilutė District Municipality and the local action groups “Lamatos žemė“, “Pamario kraštas”, “Žuvėjų kraštas” in implementation of the local project “Social dialogue: partnership for quality of life“, aimed at improving adaptation and integration processes of the re-emigrating persons, the following methods of research were applied: theoretical – analysis of scientific literature, during which the description of the partnership and the significance of the partnership in the implementation of the district‘s local development strategies and project is reviewed; quantitative – statistical study, during which systematization, analysis and evaluation of the collected statistical data was performed. The analysis of re-emigration processes in Lithuania used the statistical data provided by Statistics Lithuania for the period of 2012 – 2021. The data helped to compare re-emigration and immigration trends, to review the situation of employment of re-emigrants and the trends of participation in re-emigration partnership programmes.

Summarized research results, their interpretation, conclusions. According to the analysis of statistical data, it might be argued that during the period of 2012 – 2021, due to the economic crisis of 2012 – 2013, a significant number of the population started emigrating to foreign countries, however, one third of Lithuanian citizens re-emigrated to Lithuania. Re-emigration processes were influenced by the lack of ensuring economic and social stability abroad for emigrants, negative attitudes towards emigrants, poor employment opportunities, graduation and inability to find employment abroad after studies, the country‘s behaviour, lack of familiarity with foreign culture and many other factors that determined their decision to re-emigrate. Furthermore, the re-emigration programmes, implemented in Lithuania, aimed at helping to re-socialize and re-integrate, also had a significant impact on this decision.

The partnership between the local action groups “Lamatos žemė”, “Pamario kraštas”, “Žuvėjų kraštas” and Šilutė District Municipality in implementation of the local project “Social dialogue: partnership for quality of life” can improve the adaptation and integration processes of re-emigrants, and help to achieve to goal of the project, which is aimed at the integration of returnees and immigrants (including refugees) in Lithuania.