Youth Empowerment and Education Archives - Kazickas Family Foundation

A Partnership of over a Decade Between the Kazickas Family Foundation and “Sodžiaus meistrai”

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

A Partnership of over a Decade Between the KFF and “Sodžiaus meistrai”

On June 19, a graduation ceremony was held at the Sodžiaus meistrai trade school, marking an important milestone in the professional journeys of its graduates.

This year, more than 30 qualified specialists (carpenters, culinary professionals, and sustainable landscaping specialists) completed their studies – for some, this was their first professional step, while for others it marked a new direction.

The event was attended by Monika Zavistanavičiūtė, Acting Executive Director of the Kazickas Family Foundation in Lithuania, and Neila Baumilienė, Director of the Foundation’s New York office, who congratulated the graduates and wished them success in their future professional paths.

The KFF has been collaborating with the trade school since 2013. One of the most significant examples of this partnership is the Jean and Margaret Bigot Scholarship, established in 2022 to support talented, active, motivated, and socially disadvantaged students.

The initiative was launched by Neila Baumilienė. It is funded by the Bigot family’s relatives and friends, while the Kazickas Family Foundation matches the contributions. The scholarship provides €1,000 per student per academic year, and in the 2025–2026 academic year it has been awarded to 11 students.

Sodžiaus meistrai was founded in 2002 at the initiative of the Congregation of St. John, with the aim of helping socially vulnerable young people gain a profession and build independent lives. Today, the school continues this mission by providing opportunities to develop practical skills, responsibility, and professional readiness, as well as to obtain a new qualification.

A Partnership of over a Decade Between the Kazickas Family Foundation and “Sodžiaus meistrai” Read More »

Child-Safe Environment Standards: From Idea to Practice

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Child-Safe Environment Standards: From Idea to Practice

Children’s and adolescents’ emotional well-being is becoming an increasingly important challenge worldwide. Research shows that many young people experience emotional difficulties. According to the 2022 HBSC study, one in three Lithuanian students rates their psychological well-being below average.

Launched in 2024, the Smart-Ups initiative now brings together around 40 representatives from the business, nonprofit, and public sectors, united by a shared goal: creating emotionally safer environments for children.

One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration is the Child-Safe Environment Standards (CSES) – a set of seven guidelines designed for institutions and organizations that educate, support, and provide services to children. The standards were developed to be adaptable across a wide range of child-focused settings, including preschools, schools, after-schools centers, and other educational and care institutions. More information about CSES is available in the comments (in Lithuanian).

This year the initiative’s second phase has been completed, during which the standards were piloted in eight schools across Vilnius. Throughout the pilot project, school communities – including students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff members – worked together to assess needs, test the standards in practice, and identify effective approaches to building safer environments.

During the pilot review sessions, participants shared results, insights, and challenges encountered while implementing the standards. These experiences will help further refine the model and expand its application.

Together with EIKA Group, ACME Group, and other partners, KFF is proud to be a founding partner of the Smartuoliai network and to support this initiative. We believe that every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they feel safe, heard, and respected.

Child-Safe Environment Standards: From Idea to Practice Read More »

“Youth Can” has completed its 12th season

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

"Youth Can" has completed its 12th season

The life skills development program for youth in regional Lithuania engaged almost 200 young people from 11 towns, with activities held twice a week throughout the year. Participants took part in a variety of challenges – from entrepreneurship initiatives to organizing unconventional sports events and activities promoting mindful movement.

On May 9, the season closing event in Kaunas brought participants and KFF administration together to compete in 10 challenges, where they demonstrated physical endurance, logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.

In 2014, KFF initiated the program with the aim of using physical activity as a tool to strengthen life skills among young people in regional areas. Youth education and empowerment remain one of the Foundation’s priority areas of support.

Photos by Kamilė Kaveckaitė

“Youth Can” has completed its 12th season Read More »

Why does the KFF invest in STEM fields?

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Why does the KFF invest in STEM fields?

The Kazickas Family Foundation is now accepting applications for its STEM scholarship program, designed for talented Lithuanians pursuing studies at universities abroad. The program is introduced by its initiator, Jurate Kazickaite. In the interview video, she shares why STEM fields are important for Lithuania’s future and how this initiative came to life.

The program is intended for talented Lithuanians who have already been accepted into undergraduate or graduate STEM programs abroad. Its goal is not only to provide financial support, but also to empower young people to contribute to Lithuania’s future progress.

The application deadline is May 30, 2026.

Selected candidates may receive a scholarship of up to EUR 10,000 to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs.

More information on application requirements can be found here.

Why does the KFF invest in STEM fields? Read More »

Alytus Region Butrimonys Higher School’s visit to Vilnius

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Alytus Region Butrimonys Higher School’s visit to Vilnius

For several years, we have partnered with Alytus Region Butrimonys Higher School, supporting the school as the initiator of “Adamkiada.” This Lithuanian student sports and arts festival will take place for the 11th time this year, bringing together talented and active students from rural schools. The event carries forward the values of Alma Adamkienė Charity and Support Fund and helps strengthen students and schools across Lithuania’s regions. This year, the festival will be held in autumn, in the lead-up to the 100th anniversary of President Valdas Adamkus.

Last week, together with our partner, the MO Museum, we invited 16 students and members of the school administration to take part in educational activities and visit the latest exhibition, “Gen Z: All at Once.” Students joined creative workshops at the museum and also visited the Kazickas Family Residence, where they learned more about the family’s history.

Alytus Region Butrimonys Higher School’s visit to Vilnius Read More »

KFF STEM Scholarship Program: Call for Applications

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

KFF STEM Scholarship Program: Call for Applications

The Kazickas Family Foundation is announcing the call for applications for the STEM Scholarship Program.

Successful applicants will receive a grant up to 10,000 euros to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs during their studies. The total scholarship fund in this program amounts to 50,000 euros.

The program’s goals are to:

support talented Lithuanian citizens who have been already accepted into accredited undergraduate or graduate programs in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) abroad;
empower them to contribute to the advancement of their homeland upon completion of their studies.

Required Documents

Application Form: download here.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment: Documentation confirming that the applicant has been accepted or is enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in STEM subjects abroad.
Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended, demonstrating the applicant’s academic achievements and qualifications.
Curriculum Vitae.
2 recommendation letters (1 academic, 1 personal).
If applicable, any documents confirming other sources of financial support secured.
If applicable, any documents detailing honors, awards or other extraordinary accomplishments.

Submission Instructions

Please submit your completed application form in English, along with the required supporting documents (listed above), to ltoffice@kff.lt. The deadline for submissions is May 30th, 2026.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact ltoffice@kff.lt. Thank you for your interest in our scholarship program. We look forward to reviewing your application.

2025 STEM Scholarship Recipients’ Feedback

“My first laboratory experience, and meeting students who were already studying, quickly lured me into choosing molecular biology. This scholarship is the reason I was able to pursue the career path I wanted – and for a young and ambitious woman, that means everything. Four years of work during my bachelor’s gave me everything I needed, both good grades and plenty of laboratory experience, so I became one of the seven international students in a class of fifty.”

Miglė Šarpilo, KFF STEM Scholarship Recipient 2025, Master’s in Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

“I have been passionate about chemistry since I was 15 years old, when my teacher gave me the idea to participate in the national olympiad. From then on, I understood how fascinating this science is and how it can be used to understand the world around us. I believe that the reason I was able to stand out from the other candidates and be selected to this prestigious institution was the 4 years I spent participating in olympiads, going to laboratories and deepening my knowledge.”

Pijus Tamošiūnas, KFF STEM Scholarship Recipient 2025, Master’s in Chemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

KFF STEM Scholarship Program: Call for Applications Read More »

Call for Applications: The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Call for Applications: The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship

The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship for Vytautas Magnus University students is now open for applications.

The aim of the scholarship is to promote the French language and Francophone culture by enabling the most active students to deepen their learning and study it further, as well as to promote and spread it in society.

The scholarship was established at Vytautas Magnus University on the initiative of Neila Baumilienė, an alumna of the university and Executive Director of the New York Office of the Kazickas Family Foundation, with its support. It honors the memory of Dr. Vaclovas and Dr. Stefanija Čepukėnas, whose daughters, Rasa and Milda, also contribute financially.

If you are passionate about the French language and culture, active in civic, social, community or artistic activities, we encourage you to seize this opportunity!

The Scholarship amount is €4,000, applications are accepted until March 31, 2026.

Learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply now here.

Call for Applications: The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship Read More »

Dr. J. P. Kazickas Student Programming Competition – 30 Years of Collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Dr. J. P. Kazickas Student Programming Competition – 30 Years of Collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology

On February 28, the Dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas Student Programming Competition for students in grades 6–12 took place at the Faculty of Informatics at Kaunas University of Technology.

Representatives of the Kazickas Family Foundation attended the event to support the participants, while the Foundation’s Executive Director in Lithuania, Domantė Howes, welcomed the students and presented awards to the competition winners and their teachers. Each year, the initiative is supported by the business community. This year, prizes for the winners were funded by Festo, Hostinger, Helmes, Coherent Solutions, KAYAK Lithuania, Accenture Lithuania, and Singletonas. For the first time, monetary prizes for the first-place winners of the regional rounds were also established by the philanthropic Devbridge Foundation.

Since 1997, the Faculty of Informatics at Kaunas University of Technology has organized the Dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas Student Programming Competition for students in grades 6 – 12. Each year, the event takes place in two stages: the first is organized remotely in regional school computer classrooms, while the second stage – a programming forum and in-person gathering – is held at KTU, where students solve tasks in the university’s computer labs.

Over the past three decades, this initiative has grown into a national event contributing to the development of young people’s technological skills across Lithuania, especially in more remote regions and smaller towns. Initially held only in Kaunas, the competition is now also organized in Vilnius and the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Žemaitija. The initiative continues the vision of J. P. Kazickas to create equal opportunities for talented students from every corner of Lithuania.

Dr. J. P. Kazickas Student Programming Competition – 30 Years of Collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology Read More »

MO Museum and Kazickas Family Foundation

Art & Culture, News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

MO Museum and the Kazickas Family Foundation

Since 2020, the Kazickas Family Foundation has been proud to partner with MO museum in Vilnius to support educational programs for socially underprivileged children and youth from remote areas of Lithuania.

With KFF’s support, children and young people aged 5–18 are gaining meaningful access to culture and education.

In 2025 alone, the initiative reached nearly 1,200 participants — including youth from rural regions, Ukrainian refugees, members of the Lithuanian Roma community, young people with special needs.

Together, we delivered 29 regional educational sessions, 24 programs at MO Museum in Vilnius, and gifted almost 240 KFF-branded museum tickets for independent visits.

This initiative reflects our shared commitment to social inclusion, education, and youth empowerment through culture. We deeply appreciate MO Museum’s dedication to its donors and partners – from their annual donor event, where impact and achievements are thoughtfully shared, to their many innovative initiatives that strengthen community connections.

Strong partnerships create meaningful impact. We are grateful for MO Museum’s warm, multi-level collaboration and their continued commitment to making culture more accessible and inclusive for all.

MO Museum and Kazickas Family Foundation Read More »

KTU

Youth Empowerment and Education

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)

Since 1996, the Kazickas family has been supporting Kaunas University of Technology. The foundation’s support aims to encourage KTU students studying technological sciences to strive for high academic achievement, inspire Lithuanian schoolchildren to take an interest in information technologies, programming, and the exact and technological sciences, and motivate teachers to conduct research in these fields.

KTU Read More »