A new scientific era for Lithuania
Lithuania has much untapped potential in the nanosciences and energy research that could benefit from EU expertise to advance these sectors in the Baltic region. The EU-funded project 'High quality research network on nanosciences, material and energy research in Lithuania' (Nennet) established a sustainable high-level research network in the country for materials sciences and nano-applications. The network integrated local expertise, industry and society with European partners, creating a critical mass for advancing research, development and innovation in the country. It increased awareness on the role of research and development for competitiveness and growth through dialogue, foresight studies and an online communication platform that comprised policymakers and public actors. The platform represented a virtual environment to exchange and disseminate research results as well as a marketplace for technology applications and a database featuring research capabilities. Moreover, the project effectively integrated scattered research and development initiatives in Lithuania and built a cross-disciplinary, application-oriented research environment. It improved networking through increased staff mobility among research centres and encouraged cross-disciplinary research. Nennet supported transfer of best practices on network management through training workshops. It focused on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in preparing proposals for EU projects and facilitated partner searches. All these activities have helped make Lithuania more competitive and have brought it closer to integration into the ERA, with expected benefits for SMEs, society and the EU.