BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 9. Lithuania’s
Ministry of Culture is accelerating the implementation of the
financial instrument Paveldas (Heritage), a dedicated program aimed
at restoring and repurposing cultural heritage sites, Trend reports.

So far, five soft loan agreements have been signed, supporting
the renovation of some of the country’s most historic landmarks,
including one of Lithuania’s oldest cinemas, two manors, a
Renaissance castle, and an interwar-era villa. The program is
implemented in partnership with ILTE, with a total loan value of
nearly 4.1 million euros.

“This financial tool represents a socially responsible approach
to heritage preservation, which we set out as a key strategic
priority earlier this year. We are glad to see the first positive
results. These projects show how targeted EU investments combined
with private capital can bring complex, large-scale projects to
life. Every restored cultural site that’s adapted to today’s needs
becomes a cultural hub, a boost to regional economies and tourism,
and a driver for job creation. The strong interest in this
instrument proves its necessity and timeliness — we expect many
more success stories ahead,” said Vice Minister of Culture Dr.
Ingrida Veliutė.

The loan agreements will support the revival of five culturally
and historically significant sites:

1.5 million euros will go to the renovation of Daina,
Lithuania’s oldest surviving cinema in Kaunas, which will be
modernized to host contemporary cultural events.

790,000 euros will support the restoration of Kaimelis
Manor.

Over 640,000 euros have been allocated to complete long-running
renovation works at Panemunė Castle, one of Lithuania’s Renaissance
treasures. New additions will include accessibility upgrades such
as a lift for people with disabilities and full modernization of
engineering systems.

Villa Oazė, a wooden architectural gem in the resort town of
Druskininkai, received nearly 600,000 euros and will be opened to
the public with space for art exhibitions, concerts, seminars,
workshops, and cultural programs.

Over 566,000 euros have been earmarked for Kalnaberžė Manor,
which will be transformed into a multifunctional space for events,
education, a museum, and guest accommodation.

The Paveldas program operates on the principle of soft loans,
with the potential for partial conversion into non-refundable
grants if the project is successfully completed.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the instrument
has a total value of 5.5 million euros and aims to attract private
investment into cultural heritage revitalization. The initiative is
administered by ILTE, with loan agreements available until June 29,
2029.