savivaldybes

Savivaldybės are the primary local government units in Lithuania, responsible for self-government at the local level. There are 60 savivaldybės across the country, organized within the 10 counties (apskritys). Each savivaldybė covers a city, district, or rural area and operates autonomy to address local needs within the framework of national law.

Governing structure consists of a municipal council (savivaldybės taryba) and a municipal administration. The council, elected for four-year terms, passes local laws, approves the budget, and determines development priorities. The executive function is carried out by the mayor (meras) or, in some arrangements, by a municipal administration headed by a director; the mayor is typically elected by the council and leads the administration, implementing the council’s decisions and managing day-to-day affairs.

Key responsibilities of savivaldybės include education and culture at the local level (preschool and school facilities, libraries, cultural programs), social services and welfare, housing and urban planning, environmental protection, waste management, local roads and public transport, utilities, and local economic development. They administer local fees and charges, manage state funds allocated for local needs, and implement regional development initiatives.

Savivaldybės operate within national legal frameworks and are accountable to residents through elections, public reporting, and transparent administration. They cooperate with county administrations and the central government, and often participate in inter-municipal partnerships to improve the efficiency and quality of local services.