The "Bring Together Lithuania" program, initiated by the Kazickas Family Foundation, concluded its seventh consecutive season. Over six weeks, twenty-two talented representatives of the Lithuanian diaspora youth interned at various Lithuanian companies. This unique summer internship and modern Lithuania discovery program invites young people living abroad to consider building their future in Lithuania and becoming young ambassadors of the country - learning about the Lithuanian business environment, discovering their cultural identity, and exploring career opportunities.
The closing ceremony of the seventh season of the "Bring Together Lithuania" program took place at the Kazickas Family Residence. The event was attended by program organizers, participants, partners, supporters, distinguished public figures, and representatives from well-known private and public sector companies who contributed to this year's success.
At the closing event, Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė encouraged considering life in Lithuania:
"Programs like Bring Together Lithuania open up opportunities not only to get to know modern Lithuania but also to remind us that Lithuanians abroad are always welcome here - professional and personal opportunities are open. I am confident that the return of the diaspora would contribute to creating a brighter future for Lithuania, economic growth, as well as fostering innovation and culture" - the minister said.
Kamilė Perminė, the founder and director of the "Bring Together Lithuania" program, expressed joy over the success of the 2024 season:
"This year has been special for the program: we received not only a record number of applications but also strong candidates from top universities like Princeton University, Parsons School of Design, and King's College. Leading Lithuanian companies, startups, and organizations opened up internship opportunities for the participants. A significant number of diaspora youth decided to stay in Lithuania longer after the program, with three choosing to live and work in Lithuania. Therefore, this year's results are particularly pleasing; talented representatives of the diaspora had the opportunity to gain competitive work experience in the market and contribute their talent and knowledge to the success of Lithuanian businesses and the country's economic growth."
Domantė Greifenbergerytė, Director of the Kazickas Family Foundation's Vilnius office, emphasized the mission and importance of the program:
"As Lithuanian Americans themselves, members of the Kazickas family are committed to strengthening the connection between Lithuania and its diaspora. Being founders and patrons of Bring Together Lithuania is one expression of this mission. The program brings together young Lithuanians from around the world and helps them gain valuable professional experience, get to know modern Lithuania, and contribute to promoting our country. For seven years now, we have been delighted to see how this program grows and attracts the attention of more and more Lithuanian institutions and companies. It is always very touching and good for me personally to meet the program participants and witness that Lithuania is alive not only here but also in the USA, Canada, Argentina, New Zealand, and many other corners of the world."
Kamilė Perminė also noted the program's evident results:
"It is gratifying to see an increasing desire among the young generation of Lithuanian diaspora to visit their homeland every year. More than 120 Lithuanians from around the world have participated in the program, and 25% of those who completed their studies decided to move and build their careers in Lithuania. During the program, we also aim to develop young Lithuanian ambassadors, active members of the Lithuanian diaspora. We provide them with the opportunity to get to know contemporary, innovative Lithuania and the leaders shaping it. Many of our participants have had the chance to rediscover Lithuania and see the opportunities here, and they wish to create their future in Lithuania, recommend Lithuania to their surroundings, and become more actively involved in Lithuanian life. A significant number of alumni seek further opportunities in Lithuania after the program and consider building their future here, from studying at universities to working at the best companies in Lithuania."
One of this year's participants, Thomas Hobbs, born and raised in the United Kingdom and currently studying at Princeton University in the USA, shared his thoughts on this year's "Bring Together Lithuania" season:
"Over six weeks of the summer internship, I can confidently say that I discovered a lot in Lithuania and can't wait to return. I am most grateful that this program helped me better understand who I am and realize that I want to connect part of my future with this country. Participating in various program activities, I actively strengthened my connection with Lithuania. As a young ambassador of Lithuania, I will undoubtedly strive to spread the word about this country and its culture, so that our history and traditions are preserved and more people learn about this wonderful, innovative, opportunity-filled land."
Barbora Sharrock, a Lithuanian from New Zealand and an alumna of the program, decided to stay in Lithuania after the program and shared how the program strongly helped her reconnect with Lithuania:
"I am very grateful to the BTLT program for helping me start my journey in Lithuania. I am very happy with my new life here. Without 'Bring Together Lithuania,' this would not have been possible."
Barbora is currently working as a project manager at Invest Lithuania, dealing with talent attraction and integration issues.
Tadas Kunickas, born and raised in the USA and a participant of the first program group, founder of the startup "TAVO Sleep," emphasized that this program was the most valuable, interesting, and informative practice of his life.
"During the summer internship, I not only had the opportunity to learn how Lithuania has changed over 20 years but also had the chance to work with the company's director, closely observe the company's processes, and thus learn many important things about business development and management, which were very useful in my further career journey, creating my business," said Tadas Kunickas.
This year, the program hosted 22 young people from the Lithuanian diaspora from the USA, Canada, Argentina, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. The "Bring Together Lithuania" 2024 participants represented various professional fields, from IT, economics, international relations, business, and communication to life sciences and environmental protection.
Participants who came to Lithuania completed internships at leading companies, organizations, and the public sector: Nord Security, Tesonet, Staticus, Invest Lithuania, Innovation Agency, Vilnius University's Life Sciences Center, Delta Biosciences, Auto Moto Park, Alliance for Recruitment, Baltic Environmental Forum, Nomu Design, ERGO Lithuania, Transparency International, Vilnius University Hospital, Swedbank, DeRISK, Audiovisual Media, and Special Olympics.
Lithuanian expatriates visited Lithuanian companies and organizations, visited companies operating in the Kaunas and Klaipėda FEZ, and traveled around the Dzūkija region, Trakai, Neringa, Kernavė, Klaipėda, and Kaunas. They also participated in the Centennial Song Festival.
The Lithuanian diaspora also met with the Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, First Lady Diana Nausėdienė, Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė, and representatives of the "Global Lithuania" department.
Participants had the opportunity to meet prominent Lithuanian business, technology, political, and social leaders. They also attended lectures and workshops in various fields, where they developed not only professional but also personal skills—from leadership and personal branding to cyber hygiene and startup creation training.
"Bring Together Lithuania" is a unique summer internship and modern Lithuania discovery program for talented Lithuanian diaspora youth from around the world. The main goal of the program is to develop future leaders and young Lithuanian ambassadors, who during the summer gain not only professional knowledge but also rediscover their connection with their ancestral country, meet other Lithuanians from around the world, discover their Lithuanian identity, and learn about contemporary Lithuania.
Since 2018, the program has been initiated and sponsored by the Kazickas Family Foundation. The initiative has been supported since its inception by the Lithuanian Foundation based in the USA and entrepreneur and public figure Vladas Lašas. Since 2022, the program's development has been supported by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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