| Abstract [eng] |
Analysis of Lithuania’s economy reveals that Lithuania is not rich in natural resources-minerals or fuel resources (oil, gas, coal, etc.), nor does it have favourable warm climate or cheap capital, which implies that in the future it has to rely on labour-force skills and labour productivity. The fundamental restructuring of the economy and the transition from planned-command economic system to market economy has triggered a deep downturn of production, which has consequently necessitated changes in labour-force competences and adaptation to new economic conditions. Restoration of independence of Lithuania and Lithuania’s accession to the European Union (further – EU) opened up a possibility to make use of support under the European Social Fund (futher –ESF) to finance priority areas envisaged in the Single Programming Document of Lithuania for 2004-2006. ESF support funds were used to promote employability, enhance labour-force competences and its adaptability to changes, prevent social exclusion, facilitate life-long learning, and improve the quality of human resources in RD and innovations. The results of the examination of the effectiveness of the ESF management system set up in Lithuania and the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of support funds show that ESF funds were used effectively and efficiently and the almost all goals were achieved, despite certain weaknesses in the management system. To sum up the findings of the study, it can be concluded that support funds have helped to improve the quality of human resources in Lithuania, to strike a better balance between the supply of and the demand for labour-force in the year 2004–2008, to enable higher-skilled workforce to stay in the labour market longer at the time of a global financial crisis, and to enhance the country’s competitiveness in global markets. |
