Free Family Support in Lithuania: How to Access the KOPA Project
Navigating family crises, mental health struggles, or the complexities of parenting can be an isolating experience, particularly when professional help feels financially out of reach. In Lithuania, a massive social initiative titled “Complex Services (KOPA)” is bridging this gap, having already provided free psychosocial support to more than 72,000 residents.
With a total budget of €60 million funded by the European Union, this project is set to run until mid-2029, ensuring that preventive aid is not just a temporary fix but a long-term pillar of the country’s social infrastructure. For Lithuanians living abroad with family back home, or those residing in the country, understanding how to navigate this network is essential for accessing high-quality, professional care at no cost.
What Services Are Provided Under the KOPA Project?
The KOPA project is designed to be a one-stop shop for family well-being. Rather than focusing on a single issue, the program offers a suite of services that can be tailored to an individual’s or a family’s specific needs. These services are delivered by qualified professionals, including psychologists, social workers, youth workers, mediators, and art therapists.
Key services available across all municipalities include:
* Individual and Group Counseling: Professional psychological support for those facing personal crises, depression, or anxiety.
* Parenting Programs: Training sessions designed to help parents develop better communication and boundary-setting skills with children.
* Family Mediation: A structured process to help families resolve disputes, particularly during separations or divorces, without immediate recourse to the courts.
* Social Skills Training: Specialized sessions for children and teenagers to help them build emotional resilience and interpersonal skills.
* Support Groups: Peer-to-peer environments where individuals facing similar challenges—such as addiction or postpartum depression—can share experiences under professional guidance.
Eligibility and Practical Accessibility
One of the most significant aspects of the KOPA project is its inclusivity. The services are free and available to all residents of Lithuania, regardless of income level. While the primary target group includes working-age individuals and families raising children, the project aims to prevent deeper social issues by intervening early.
To ensure that even the most vulnerable populations can access help, the project includes logistical support. In cases where a family lives in a remote area or lacks childcare, the program can organize transportation to the service centers or provide supervised childcare while the parents attend counseling or training sessions.
According to data from the Central Project Management Agency, the impact is tangible: 87% of service recipients reported that the help provided was instrumental in solving their problems. The professional approach and practical, everyday skills gained through the program were cited as the most valuable outcomes.
How to Find Help in Your Municipality
The KOPA project operates through a decentralized network. Every municipality in Lithuania has a designated Community Family House (Lithuanian: Bendruomeniniai šeimos namai). These houses serve as the primary coordination point for all services.
To apply for help or inquire about specific programs, residents should contact the Community Family House in their local district. These centers are responsible for assessing the family’s needs and connecting them with the appropriate specialists. Because the project is implemented in partnership with 70 different organizations across the country, the help is localized and adapted to the specific needs of each region.
As the project moves into its second half, it continues to focus on pressing societal issues such as loneliness, overcoming addiction, and strengthening the emotional resilience of the youth. By removing the financial barrier to mental health and family support, Lithuania is positioning itself as a European leader in social service innovation—a model that has already drawn the attention of European Commission delegations.
Original reporting by: kaunas
Source: Kauno miesto savivaldybė
