Seeking to promote Lithuania abroad, the Lithuanian Institute was established on the initiative of the ministries of Culture, Foreign Affairs and Education and Science, and with a great support from the Swedish Institute. In Lithuania the Institute is the national coordinator of the network of the Anna Lindh Foundation. The Lithuanian Institute is a public institution, which started duties in May 2002. The LI is implementing its mission in compliance with the main foreign policy priorities of the state. The LI strategic goals are to introduce Lithuania abroad, accumulate, organize and disseminate information on Lithuania, its culture, art, society, science and education. The LI, according to its resources, coordinates Lithuanian culture and art dissemination in the world, seeks that Lithuanian image would be positive and appealing, participates in international cultural, science and education exchanges and programs.

The Lithuanian network consists of 6 organizations. Most of these institutions work in the areas of education, youth and arts.