It was formed at a congress in June 1989, as the Leninist Young Communist League of Lithuania (LLKJS), the Lithuanian republican branch of the All Union Leninist Young Communist League (VLKSM), broke away from VLKSM and formed an independent organization.
[1] The break came after a survey had shown that only 11% of young Lithuanians considered that the LLKJS should have remained in the VLKSM.
The formulated goal of VLKSM of 'progress towards communism' was replaced by a pledge to 'defend the sovereignty of the Lithuanian SSR'.
[1] In defiance of an amended election system, LKJS refused to nominate delegates to the Lithuanian Supreme Soviet.
Maciatis claimed that the organization was the continuation of the interbellum Young Communist League of Lithuania.