The Republic of Lithuania, seeking to restore historical justice and compensate in good will for the immovable property owned by the persons of the Jewish nationality who resided in Lithuania before or during the Second World War and unlawfully expropriated by the totalitarian regimes during the occupations, made a historic decision to symbolically compensate for the unlawfully expropriated immovable property (with the exception of land) of Lithuanian Jews during the period of occupation by totalitarian regimes.
In accordance with Article 2.1.2. of the amended Law No. XI-1470 of the Republic of Lithuania on the Good Will Compensation for the Immovable Property of Jewish Religious Communities, the Good Will Foundation is prepared to develop and implement guidelines for the submission of applications from private property claimants of Lithuanian Jews who lacked the legal opportunity to have these claims addressed, to receive these claims with accompanying documentation until December 31, 2023, and to determine the amount and make payment for valid claims by December 31, 2024, totaling between 5 and 10 million Euro. The Good Will Foundation will receive additional funds in annual payments to a total of 37 million Euro to be used to support Jewish communal life and the preservation of Jewish heritage in Lithuania as stipulated in the mentioned law.
In accordance with the procedure established by the Board of the Good Will Foundation, the Good Will Foundation will accept applications for symbolic compensation from the affected persons or their heirs. All necessary information will be available on the website of the Good Will Foundation: https://gvf.lt/. Claimants are recommended to follow the Good Will Foundation’s news or sign up for the newsletter.
In accordance with Article 2.1.2. of the amended Law No. XI-1470 of the Republic of Lithuania on the Good Will Compensation for the Immovable Property of Jewish Religious Communities, the Good Will Foundation, by resolution No. 1/2022-09-21, 21/09/2022 of the sole shareholder, determines the procedure for evaluation, selection, financing and implementation of the funds of 37,071,362.37 euros, which are implemented in accordance with the Guidelines for Projects financed by the Funds of the Good Will Foundation.
In this way, the principal objectives of the activities of the Good Will Foundation will be implemented: to meet public interest in carrying out educational, religious, also scientific, cultural, health care and other activities beneficial to society by fostering the community of Jewish people living in Lithuania or having citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania.