Building up Modern and Open Prosecution Service in the Republic of Lithuania

About this project

<p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Prosecution Service faces challenges related to adequate response to new forms of criminality, the changing social environment, the necessity to strengthen communication with the public and interaction with pre-trial investigation institutions and courts. The public has particularly high expectations of the Prosecution Service; however, the level of public trust in Prosecution Service is low.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The aim of the project is to build up modern and open Prosecution Service and strengthening the efficiency of criminal proceedings.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The project includes:</span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Analysis and evaluation of the present situation of criminal proceedings;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Measures to strengthen the quality of criminal procedure;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Measures to speed up criminal proceedings in financial and economic crimes;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Specialized training for prosecutors, judges and pre-trial investigation officers;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Training on administrative and managerial capacities of Prosecution Service staff;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Modernization of IT infrastructure;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Assessment on the improvement of the public image of the Prosecution Service and implementation of communication strategy; </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Establishment of quality standard of service provision in the Prosecution Service;</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Communication training.</span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The project is expected to reduce the length of pre-trial investigation of crimes affecting national and EU financial interests in 5%. In addition, the project will contribute to making a positive shift from the current assessment levels of interaction of Prosecution Service with users and its partners (by 5 percentage points).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Target groups of the project are prosecutors, judges, officials of pre-trial investigation institutions, as well as the public.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Donor project partner National Authority for the Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) will provide expert assessment of the evaluations and recommendations developed during the project and will participate in training activities.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Activities implemented together with a project partner from Norway (National Authority for the Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime - Økokrim) contributed to improved knowledge of the institutions of both countries. The project partner's experience in the prosecution of complex crimes, work organization practices, competence in communication and other areas not implemented by the Lithuanian Prosecutor's Office contributed to strengthening the activities of the Prosecutor's Office and improving its efficiency. Continuous cooperation during the project allowed the development of mutual dialogue, strengthening practical cooperation in cases related to both countries and improving the exchange of information on specific cases.

Project partners

• National Authority for the Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) Donor project partner· Norway