Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.
Swiss-Lithuanian Research Programme
Project completed
Switzerland strengthens with this programme the Lithuanian research sector – and thus as well Lithuania's competitiveness. This will be reached with joint Lithuanian – Swiss research projects and mutually organized scientific conferences and seminars in the thematic fields of natural, environmental, health and life sciences.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lithuania |
Promoting economic growth and improving working conditions
Research and Development
|
01.08.2010
- 31.05.2017 |
CHF 9’052’000
|
- 11 Swiss-Lithuanian research projects and 9 institutional partnership sub-projects were carried out
- In total 20 projects were completed successfully
- Researcher could participate at 146 scientific events
- 90 scientific articles were published
- 1 patent application
- 20 PhD degrees were obtained
- Projects created new partnerships between Swiss and Lithuanian researchers
- National State Institute North
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Unallocated / Unspecified
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Sectors not specified
Aid Type Enlargement contribution
Project number 7F07165
| Background |
A World Bank study shows that Lithuania has strong foundations to be a knowledge-based economy. However, Lithuania faces problems in the Research & Development (R&D) sector in terms of governance, structure, management and regulation. Cooperation between R&D institutions and business as well as international integration need to be enhanced. Therefore, in 2009 a new Law on Science and Studies was approved aiming at modernizing the R&D system. Furthermore, it was decided in 2007 to develop five R&D clusters in Lithuania integrating studies, science and business. This programme offers an opportunity for Swiss and Lithuanian research institutions to cooperate for mutual benefit. |
| Objectives |
The programme strengthens the research and development sector in Lithuania and at accelerates its integration into the international research area. This is reached by supporting research cooperation between Switzerland and Lithuania in natural, environmental and health / life sciences. |
| Target groups |
Research teams; educational and science institutions. |
| Activities |
Thanks to this programme, Lithuanian and Swiss research institutions respectively teams will on the basis of an open call for proposals carry out joint research projects and mutually organized scientific events (such as conferences, seminars) in the thematic fields of environmental, health/life and natural sciences. |
| Results |
Achieved results:
|
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign state institution Other partners
|
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 9’052’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 8’749’422 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.08.2010 - 31.05.2017 (Completed) |
Bulgaria: Around 20 projects relating to ecological forestry, farming and waste management, social inequalities and regional disparities, innovative buildings and materials, and drug development.
Hungary: 6 projects relating to the environment, health, the disposal of special waste, energy conversion, and academic training. The six projects are already underway.
Lithuania: Around 25 projects relating to climate science and technology, healthcare and life sciences, as well as natural science.
Poland: Around 40 projects relating to information and communication technology, renewable energy, nanotechnology, healthcare, and the environment.
Romania: Around 30 projects relating to sustainable energy, economic growth, social inequality, plus the impact of litter and waste on the environment and climate.
Cooperation in Research
Thanks to the research funds in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Hungary, Swiss research institutes and institutions in the partner countries can carry out joint research projects. The total funds for research partnerships amount to just under CHF 60 million.
The new EU member states are making great efforts to strengthen their potential in research and development. However, these countries face several obstacles in trying to establish a knowledge-based economy. There is often a lack of infrastructure and equipment, or the institutional structures and international networking may be in need of improvement.
Swiss research programmes in Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Romania will help promote these countries as locations for research. They will also intensify relationships with Switzerland in the scientific arena and make research careers more attractive for young academics.
Support from Switzerland as a centre of research
As a research location with significant technology exports and knowledge transfer, Switzerland has a lot to offer. Under the auspices of these programmes, Swiss research institutions are cooperating with foreign partners on research projects, the results of which help strengthen the research centres in the respective countries and their cooperation with Switzerland.
In addition to developing projects together, the research programmes offer scientists from the respective countries a unique opportunity to share research findings, to identify possible avenues for closer international cooperation and to explore investment and business opportunities.
Targeted promotion of various research disciplines in the individual countries
In total Switzerland has committed some CHF 60 million to supporting research in the five countries. The number of planned projects varies from country to country. A total of around 120 projects will be supported, and their results will be published. The projects are assigned to various predefined categories agreed with the countries on the basis of criteria that will ensure optimum promotion as a research location. Joint research projects will be carried out in the following areas:
