Integrated Science, Studies and Business centres (Valleys)

On the 1 of April, 2014 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the new edition of The concept of the establishment and development of integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys) with the aim to proceed the development of valleys by implementing the process of smart specialization.

To achieve more effective use of R&D infrastructure, innovations, studies, and knowledge-intensive business, developed while implementing relevant measures of the European Union structural funds, Lithuanian national budget or other sources, and ensure its continuous progress, it is essential to facilitate the establishment of world-class integrated science, study and business centres (valleys). The valleys enable successful use of scientific knowledge for the development new products or technologies, bring business and academia cooperation up to the front. In this way the state would achieve greater business participation in all innovation cycles from basic research to the introduction of new products into the market, as well as increase of private sector's investment in R&D and innovation would be encouraged.

Valley means concentration (totality of entities) of the capacities in research, studies and knowledge-intensive business generally in one area, with common or interrelated infrastructure, geared towards building knowledge economy and thus enhancing Lithuania’s economic competitiveness.

The goal of the Concept – promoting rapid development of valleys, which would meet international standards, enabling training of world-class professionals, creating new internationally competitive high-added value knowledge and products, promoting high-tech businesses, advanced technologies and innovation in high-tech industries and traditional sectors of the economy, culture and social environment.

There are 3 main objectives intended to achieve the goal of the Concept:

to facilitate generation of high-level research-based new knowledge, i.e. to strengthen and mobilize R&D intellectual capacities, encourage national and international cooperation among scientists and other researchers;
to promote the development of R&D intensive sectors of the economy and the development and commercial application of innovative products, i.e. to enable science and business to cooperate effectively in R&D and innovation and to advance technology development and transfer;
to concentrate and update R&D, innovation, higher education, and knowledge-intensive business infrastructure, and to provide its effective application.

Programmes of valleys

Short information about valleys

„Saulėtekis“ Valley

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Place of valley	Sunrise Avenue, Vilnius
Initiators	Vilnius University Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public entity „Sunrise Valley“
Partners	Public entity Northtown Technology Park Laser and Light Science and Technologies Association Engineering Industries Association of Lithuania LINPRA Association Knowledge Economy Forum Public entity Intechcentras
MTEP directions	Laser and Light Technologies; Materials Science and Nanotechnologies; Semiconductor Physics and Electronics; Civil Engineering
Objective	To create an integrated centre/valley of science, studies and business for the development of the sectors of physical, technological and civil engineering through the development of business, internationally competitive fundamental and applied research, as well as the preparation of human resources to work in the mentioned R&D areas.
Funds	93,4 m. €
Projects, funding	Project	Funding, m. €	Funding institution
	Establishment of National Centre of Physical and Technological Sciences	58,05	Ministry of Education and Science
	Development of Civil Engineering Centre of the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University	5,47	Ministry of Education and Science
	Development of Vilnius University Laser Research Centre “Naglis”	3,31	Ministry of Education and Science
	Creation of Vismaliukai Investment Innovation Zone	5,65	Ministry of Economy / private funds
	Creation of National Centre of Physical and Technological Sciences Technology development hub	3,04	Ministry of Economy / private funds

„Santara“ Valley

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Place of valley	The Santariškės – Visoriai district, Sunrise Avenue, Vilnius
Initiators	Vilnius University Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Innovative Medicine Centre Nature Research Centre Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Clinics Visoriai Information Technology Park
Partners	UAB “Fermentas” UAB “Sicor Biotech” UAB “Teltonika” Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry Companies
MTEP directions	Biotechnology; Innovative Medical Technologies, Molecular Medicine and Biopharmacy; Ecosystems and Sustainable Development; Informatics and Communication Technologies.
Objective	To establish the valley aimed at the development of the sectors of biotechnology, molecular medicine and biopharmacy, innovative medical technologies, ecosystems and sustainable development, informatics and communication technologies in Lithuania, to enable starting up of business and development of fundamental and applied science competitive on the international market, also to train highly qualified specialists in the mentioned R&D areas.
Funds	95,914 m. €
Projects, funding	Project	Funding, m. €	Funding institution
	Establishment of Joint Centre for Life Sciences	36,33	Ministry of Education and Science
	Establishment of Joint Innovative Medicine Centre	14,855	Ministry of Education and Science
	Establishment of Nature Research Centre	4,35	Ministry of Education and Science
	Creation of IT Open Access Centre	1,56	Ministry of Education and Science
	Equipment of engineering networks and communications in the ICT and BIO technology parks and in the territory of the green field investments by companies; building and fiting out of an ICT business incubator and technology centre	7,7594	Ministry of Economy
	Building and equipment of sections 1 and 2 of of the BIO technology park business incubator	3,74	Ministry of Economy
	Design and construction of the Open Access Visualization and Nuclear Medicine Research Centre and acquisition of equipment	4,028	Ministry of Health
	Reconstruction of the building of the Experimental Aquarium Facilities of the Nature Research Centre	1,44	Ministry of Environment

Programme of valley

„Santaka“ Valley

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Place of valley	Kaunas
Initiators	Kaunas University of Technology Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Lithuanian Energy Institute
Partners	UAB concern „Achemos grupė“ AB „Kauno tiltai“ UAB „MG Baltic Investment“ UAB „Arvi“ ir ko
MTEP directions	Sustainable Chemistry (including Biopharmacy); Mechatronics and Related Electronic Technologies; Future Energy and (including Environmental Engineering); Information and Telecommunication Technologies
Objective	To establish the valley where public and private research will be performed, knowledge-intensive businesses will be launched and knowledge-intensive services will be provided.
Funds	73,756 m. €
Projects, funding	Project	Funding, m. €	Funding institution
	Establishment of National Open-Access R&D Centre in Kaunas Technology University
	Establishment of National Open-Access R&D Centre in Kaunas Technology University
	Establishment of Centre for the Latest Pharmaceutical and Health Technologies in “Santaka” Valley
	Basis of technology transfer and business incubator

Programme of valley

„Nemunas“ Valley

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Place of valley	Kaunas
Initiators	Lithuanian University of Agriculture Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Lithuanian Agrarian and Forest Sciences Centre Kaunas University of Technology
Partners	UAB „Arvi“ ir ko; UAB concern „Achemos grupė“ UAB “Kauno grūdai” UAB “Utenos mėsa” and other private partners
MTEP directions	Agrobiotechnology, Bioenergy and Forestry; Food technology, safety and health
Objective	Developing available facilities, to create a specialised branch integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) NEMUNAS that has its infrastructure for public and private research and studies in the agricultural, forestry and food industry sectors as well as conditions for the establishment of knowledge-intensive businesses.
Funds	55,14 m. €
Projects, funding	Project	Funding, m. €	Funding institution
	Agrobiotechnologies, forestry, biomass energy,water and biosytems engineering R&D centers, HE studies and related infrastructure development and reorganization of science and studies institutions	23,27	Ministry of Education and Science
	Animal health, nurture and animal material science and studies infrastructure development, consolidation of scientific potential	8,78	Ministry of Education and Science
	Food science and technology infrastructure development and consolidation of scientific potential	2,44	Ministry of Education and Science
	1 stage of creation of Communication and Technology Transfer Centre of Integrated science, study and business centre (Valley) „Nemunas“ and its infrastructure. Establishment of open-access laboratory for fruits and vegetables processing technologies and modelling	1,101	Ministry of Economy
	2 stage of creation of Communication and Technology Transfer Centre of Integrated science, study and business centre (Valley) „Nemunas“ and its infrastructure	2,55	Ministry of Economy

Marine Valley

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Place of valley	Klaipėda
Initiators	Klaipėda University Nature Research Centre
Partners	Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Public entity “Klaipėda Science and Technology Park” State enterprise Port of Klaipėda State Directorate Association of Lithuanian Trade Enterprises
MTEP directions	Marine environment; Marine technologies
Objective	To create the centre (Valley) for the development of Lithuania’s maritime sector, aimed at promotion of fundamental and applied studies competitive on the global market and at training highly qualified specialists for the needs of Lithuania’s maritime sector.
Funds	59,954 m. €
Projects, funding	Project	Funding, m. €	Funding institution
	Creation of Nucleus and Update of study Infrastructure of Maritime sector valley	25,849	Ministry of Education and Science
	Equipment of engineering networks and communications and development of infrastructure of Klaipėda Science and Technology Park	6,44	Ministry of Economy
	Acquisition of the vessels for environmental monitoring	3,043	Ministry of Environment
	Reconstruction of the Laboratory of Fisheries and Marine Aquaculture and acquisition of its technological (research) equipment	1,44	Ministry of Agriculture

Management of valleys

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Strategic Council for Research, Development and Innovation. On the strategic level, R&D&I development, as well as development of R&D&I priority areas, is managed by the Strategic Council for Research, Development and Innovation formed by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, consists of the representatives of the ministries in charge of or interested in R&D&I development, Research Council of Lithuania, Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology, science and higher education institutions, business, social and economic partners, and independent experts.

Valleys’ monitoring group. Valleys’ monitoring group is composed from Lithuanian and foreign experts. Its main function are to monitor implementation and development of Valleys projects and Joint Research Programmes, i.e.:

provide information, data, consultations and recommendations to the Valleys Supervision Board and the Management Committees of the respective EU SF programmes, necessary to take decisions concerning development, financing and implementation of the Valleys‘ projects and the JRPs;
provide recommendations and consultations for the institutions, responsible for R&D infrastructure development projects;
create an efficiently operated “virtual enterprise” offering the best opportunities for foreign investments and public-private partnership in R&D and innovations;
introduce stage-gated funding control and relate the requested funding to a set of key performance indicators;
perform regular evaluation of valleys’ projects development issues.

Main documents and necessary links. Concept of the Establishment and Development of Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) (updated version) was approved by Resolution No 321 of 21 March 2007 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

The Specification of the Procedure for the Selection and Evaluation of the Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) Development Visions and Draft Valley Development Programmes, which regulates the invitations to submit Valleys Development Visions and Draft Valley Development Programmes, as well as the Procedure for the Selection and Evaluation of Valley Development Visions and Draft Valley Development Programmes.