As the demand for educational services continues to grow and parents seek higher-quality learning alternatives, the Lithuanian Central Credit Union (LCKU), which unites the LKU group of credit unions, is taking a significant step forward by investing in educational infrastructure. To this end, the LKU credit union group has become one of the investors in the “Education Infrastructure Fund,” managed by the company “1 Asset Management.”

The latest investment by this fund is the construction of a new “Šiaurės Licėjus” school in Didžioji Riešė, Vilnius district, covering more than 6,000 square meters. Construction is already underway, and the modern educational facility is expected to open its doors on September 1, 2025. The school will accommodate over 800 children and will be integrated with a kindergarten, enabling children to grow in the same learning environment from the age of one through to 12th grade.

“Investments in education are investments in the future. We are glad to support projects that create value not only for today but for the long term. Education is one of those fields where long-term returns are measured not only in financial terms but in the development of a conscious, critically thinking society. And that is a responsibility we all share,” said Mindaugas Vijūnas, Head of Administration at LCKU.

The new “Šiaurės Licėjus” school will stand out not only for its modern educational approach but also for its innovative infrastructure: a wall-less library, a meditation room, a slide between floors, a swimming pool, and spaces for creativity and relaxation – all aimed at supporting students’ emotional, physical, and social well-being. The Nordic educational philosophy, based on community, will also be reflected in the architecture – the school is being designed together with children, parents, and teachers.

According to Ieva Belickaitė, representative of “1 Asset Management,” the investment in “Šiaurės Licėjus” is a continuation of the “Education Infrastructure Fund’s” strategy: “We aim to create long-term value for both investors and society by developing modern educational infrastructure that meets high standards of quality and functionality. We see clear demand for private educational institutions and believe strongly in the sustainability and significance of this project for families living in the district and for the city of Vilnius.”

It is planned that the new school will initially open for preschoolers, primary school students, and fifth graders – gradually expanding over the years to include all grades up to high school. This will be the second “Šiaurės Licėjus” school. The first is currently operating in the center of Vilnius, with 600 students and over 100 staff.

With this investment, the LKU credit union group continues its strategic commitment to being not just a provider of financial services but also an active participant in community life and a promoter of growth.

The LKU credit union group, the largest in the country, unites 44 credit unions, all overseen by LCKU. The group offers core financial services to private clients, businesses, and agriculture, including payment cards, deposits, and loans. As of the first quarter of this year, the group’s loan portfolio increased by 10.69% year-on-year, reaching €844.93 million. The highest growth was recorded in the business financing segment, where the loan portfolio grew by 19.20%.