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:
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. to concentrate and update R&D, innovation, higher education, and knowledge-intensive business infrastructure, and to provide its effective application.

Programmes of valleys

• Programme of the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) „Saulėtekis“
• Programme of the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) „Santara“
• Programme of the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) „Santaka“
• Programme of the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) „Nemunas“
• Programme of the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) for the development of Lithuanian maritime sector

Short information about valleys

„Saulėtekis“ Valley

„Santara“ Valley

„Santaka“ Valley

„Nemunas“ Valley

Marine Valley

Management of valleys

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.

• 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

Useful links

• Open-Access Centres;
• EU structural assistance to Lithuania.