Our Challenge

Kaunas is home to over 40,000 students, nearly 5,000 of whom come from abroad - and this number is growing every year. However, despite the city’s rising popularity and its recent inclusion in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2025, we have a bigger national problem in Lithuania - only 7% of international students stay in Lithuania to live and work after graduation. This is far below the OECD average of 25%. These numbers reflect a clear challenge: while Lithuania attracts global talent, it struggles to retain it. This challenge invites students to explore and propose innovative ways to help international students build lasting connections in Kaunas, both socially and professionally. How might we strengthen their sense of belonging, remove integration barriers, and create a city that supports their transition from studies to careers? Your ideas could shape the future of Kaunas as a truly inclusive, global city - and make a lasting difference for the next generation of international graduates.