Delegates outlined plans to support Ukrainian children and young people abroad and to foster local leadership among diaspora youth. The visit included meetings at the Ukrainian Centre and Holy Trinity parish, and organizers said it could seed a SUM chapter in Lithuania.
In the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, the activities of the Union of Ukrainian Youth (SUM) were presented. The delegation of the World Executive Board of SUM discussed with the local community opportunities to establish contact and prospects for creating a SUM branch in the country.
Information about the event was published on the official page of the Union of Ukrainian Youth worldwide, without references to mediators in the media.
The delegation was led by the External Development Referent of the World Executive Board of SUM, Orest Antoshkiv, and the representative of the Referentury, Lidiya Fisunova; they met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Lithuania, Olha Nikitchenko.
During the discussion, the parties explored ways to support Ukrainian children and youth who are abroad due to the war, as well as the development of public initiatives that help young Ukrainians maintain ties with their homeland and participate more actively in community life.
SUM’s Activities in Vilnius and Priorities
The organization’s activities were also presented at the Ukrainian Center in Vilnius. SUM members acquainted the local community with the main directions of their work: fostering national consciousness and leadership qualities, participating in diaspora life, and helping Ukraine and those affected by aggression.
On Sunday, SUM representatives were greeted by parishioners of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. After the Liturgy, Orest Antoshkiv told the parishioners about the century-long history of the Union and its mission to serve God and Ukraine.
We return home with an optimistic view of the prospects for SUM’s work in Lithuania. We will pursue this together with local proactive youth.
– Orest Antoshkiv
The organizers expressed special gratitude to Anastasia Romachenko for assistance in preparing the visit, which is to become the foundation for expanding SUM’s movement in the Baltic region.
We should also note that on October 5, 2025, in Gdańsk (Poland) the founding assembly of a SUM branch took place; Poland became the 14th country where a branch of this world Ukrainian organization will operate.
Such a visit underscores SUM’s commitment to supporting youth beyond Ukraine and strengthening close ties with the Ukrainian community in the Baltic region. Further plans include developing joint initiatives and expanding the organization’s activities in the region.