Training of Managers for Urban Redevelopment in Lithuania

In order to give higher priority to integrated approaches in urban development, the Lithuanian government issued recommendations for increasing energy efficiency in urban areas in June 2016. Municipalities were required to develop comprehensive concepts for energy-efficient urban re-development and to appoint staff for organisation, management and monitoring (so-called “programme managers”) for implementation. Consequently, the need for training and advice for the relevant authorities – the Ministry of Environment, the State Agency for Housing and Energy Efficiency (Beta) and the Lithuanian Investment and Development Agency (VIPA) – increased.

A previous German-Lithuanian project had identified the need for training and the establishment of local training structures. This had already supported the Lithuanian government’s efforts to practically implement its long-term building renovation and climate strategy. This project continued the work by further developing, implementing and establishing a hands-on vocational training programme for ‘Managers for Urban Redevelopment’ in Lithuania. This included eight thematic trainings, a study trip to Germany, four conferences and individual coaching sessions for urban redevelopment managers to develop concrete rehabilitation concepts.

Photo: IWO

Administrative staff from 18 cities and municipalities were trained as urban redevelopment managers as part of the project. Within the framework of the project, concrete redevelopment concepts with an integrated urban development approach were developed in 15 of these municipalities. Since then, programmes for the rehabilitation of 113 neighbourhoods have been developed in 36 Lithuanian municipalities. The Lithuanian government has committed to offer the training to more municipalities through its State Agency for Housing and Energy Efficiency. This will improve Lithuania’s carbon footprint in the long term.