From Dutch Social Entrepreneurs to Belgian Musicians: Vilnius Celebrates International Residents Shaping Lithuania’s Capital

As Europe grapples with migration and integration, Vilnius is celebrating the international community helping shape the city. The first-ever Vilnius Is My City Awards shortlist recognises people, businesses and organisations contributing to Vilnius’ economy, culture, gastronomy and global connections.

As immigration and integration remain high on Europe’s agenda, Lithuania has been ranked 3rd in Europe and 6th globally among the best countries for relocation in 2026. In Vilnius, the growing international community is already making its mark on the city – and now the capital will be celebrating some of those stories in the spotlight.

The shortlist for the first-ever Vilnius Is My City Awards includes 12 people and organisations contributing to the city through business, culture, gastronomy and international outreach.

The ceremony will take place on September 5, as part of the fifth annual Vilnius Is My City Festival, organised by International House Vilnius, a free service centre that helps internationals relocate to and settle into life in Vilnius, run by Go Vilnius during Vilnius Fiesta. More than 11,000 people attended last year’s festival, which celebrates the city’s growing international community.

The shortlist reflects the many ways international residents are shaping Vilnius. Dutch social entrepreneur Tim van Wijk founded Pirmas Blynas, an inclusive restaurant that employs people with disabilities. Danish entrepreneur Niels Peter Pretzmann has helped shape Vilnius’ gastronomic scene through Senatorių Pasažas and its Michelin-recognised restaurants, sourcing ingredients from his own organic farm near Vilnius. While chef Gaspar Fernandes has brought his Indian and Portuguese heritage with a Michelin-listed restaurant to the city’s dining scene. Sicilian-born sommelier Francesco di Marco has consistently contributed to the growth of the city’s wine and gastronomic culture.

“When I moved to Vilnius 10 years ago with my now-wife Karolina, I saw a beautiful city where there was still room to create better opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. I had seen in the Netherlands how much a job and mentoring could change the lives of people with disabilities, so I wanted to bring that experience to Vilnius. Since opening Pirmas Blynas, I’ve watched our employees grow in confidence and independence,” said Tim van Wijk. “Vilnius has given me so much: my family, my two children and the chance to build a business that is very close to my heart. I’m proud and honoured that the city I love is now recognising our work.”

“I fell in love with Vilnius on my very first visit 25 years ago, which is what first inspired me to build a business here. When we started working in food, I saw an opportunity to bring some of what was already working in Denmark to Lithuania and develop a kind of New Baltic Cuisine. For me, it has always been about creating a more sustainable, local, and flavorful alternative to conventional food. The awards were never the goal, but I’m grateful for them because they help us share that idea with a much wider audience,” said Niels Peter Pretzmann.

Others have helped connect Vilnius with the wider world. Polish scholar Anna Sylwia Czyż researches and presents the city’s cultural heritage internationally, while Italian Alessandro Sposato has spent years introducing Lithuania and Vilnius to audiences in southern Italy. Canada-born Rita Sakus, a co-founder of Lithuania’s business angel network LitBAN, brought the 2026 European Business Angels Network Congress to Vilnius, connecting the city with an international investment community.

The shortlist also recognises the contribution of international businesses and organisations. Vinted, founded in Vilnius and now operating across more than 26 European markets, is nominated for its impact on business and sustainability. Wargaming, which relocated its operations from Belarus to Vilnius, has helped build a multinational technology community in the city.

Cultural nominees include a Vilnius-based initiative SPEAK Lithuania, which helps people from abroad integrate into life in the city by organising free language learning groups and community meetups. Turkish bioengineering graduate from Vilnius Tech University Hatice Kübra Kaya now shares her knowledge in biology at Vytautas Magnus Gymnazium, while Belgian musician Matthieu Bruyndonckx has founded and leads The Garfunkels choir in Lithuania’s capital.

Today, Vilnius is home to around 78,000 foreign residents from 154 countries, with the international community continuing to grow – increasing by 4.4% over the past year. Its compact size, career-opportunities, strong work-life balance, widespread English proficiency, and relatively affordable cost of living compared with many Western European capitals are among the factors attracting international professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives.

Vilnius’ growing tech ecosystem is another draw for international talent. The city is home to companies such as Nord Security and $3.6 billion unicorn Oxylabs, while Lithuania’s startup ecosystem has grown 6.8-fold in value over the past decade. Interest is also growing among professionals from further afield: the number of US residents registered in Vilnius has risen 6.5% year on year, while the UK community has grown 11%.

The four winners will be announced during the Vilnius Is My City Festival in Bernardinai Garden, with the awards set to become an annual tradition celebrating the international people who are not only choosing Vilnius, but helping make it the city it is today.