druskininkai

ABOUT PILOT AREA

Druskininkai municipality is located in southern Lithuania, within Alytus County, bordering Belarus and situated close to the Polish border. The municipality consists of the resort town of Druskininkai and two rural elderships. The area is characterised by extensive forest cover, which makes up nearly 70% of the territory, while agricultural land accounts for only about one fifth and is generally of low productivity. As a result, traditional large-scale agriculture plays a limited role, and forest-related activities, tourism, and services are more prominent.

In 2021, the municipality had around 19,000 residents. While the overall population has declined over the past decade, some larger rural centres, have experienced population growth, contrasting with depopulation in smaller villages. The region is sparsely populated, with a population density significantly lower than the national average, and faces demographic challenges related to population ageing and negative natural population change.

Economically, Druskininkai is dominated by the tourism-oriented service sector, reflecting its long-standing status as a health resort. While this creates employment opportunities, wages remain below national averages, and unemployment – particularly among working-age men – remains relatively high. Industrial and agricultural development is limited due to environmental restrictions associated with the resort status and border location. Key challenges for the region include ageing demographics, labour market imbalances, access to healthcare services, and the need to strengthen social inclusion and diversify the local economy, particularly in rural areas.

ABOUT VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE PILOT AREA

Druskininkai LAG has identified three main target groups for which economic activation and employment promotion are particularly relevant:

1. Low-income rural residents. This group includes people living in the rural areas of Druskininkai municipality who receive minimal or below-average income due to limited local job opportunities, low levels of entrepreneurship, and generally low economic activity.

2. Economically inactive rural youth. These are young people who are not employed and not studying, often lacking motivation, qualifications, or knowledge about potential self-employment or income-generating opportunities in rural areas. Their involvement is crucial for ensuring long-term local vitality and demographic balance.

3. Elderly residents living in rural areas. This group consists of pensioners or pre-retirement individuals who often receive small pensions and have limited opportunities to participate in the labour market. Many of them possess valuable experience, skills, and knowledge that can be used for additional income-generating or community-based activities.