European Commission Greenlights Operations of Vilnius Digital Innovation Hub
The growing importance of digitisation and sustainability in the world and the European Commission’s DIGITAL programme provide unique opportunities for Lithuanian business companies as well as for public sector organizations. European Commission has launched European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) to meet the needs of the modern market and drive the digital transformation of the economy. The project prepared by the consortium EDIH VILNIUS was among the 136 selected by European Commission to help Lithuanian companies and organisations overcome digitisation challenges.
The members of the consortium will provide services to private and public sector organizations in the areas of automation, smart city development, and smart health. The services will be divided into four categories. The first group of services is tested before investing, which will allow implementing the experiments, prototyping activities, etc.; the second is the organisation of digital skills and training, the third group is supported to find investments, and the fourth one is the contribution to the development of innovation ecosystem and networking services.
Universities participating in the project will get the opportunity to expand the range of services provided as well as develop the competencies of the scientific and academic community.
“The spectrum of applicability of digital innovations is relevant for organisations in every sector of the economy aiming for higher value-added goods and services not only here in Lithuania, but also internationally. Vilnius University researchers can offer knowledge and experience when developing artificial intelligence solutions, invoking high-performance computing for processing large data, and improving digital skills in private and the public sectors,” said Pro-Rector for Research of Vilnius University prof. Edita Sužiedėlienė.
Members of the EDIH VILNIUS consortium will join forces and competencies in supporting the digitisation processes of small and medium-sized enterprises and public institutions in the Vilnius region. The consortium will disseminate digital solutions using supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and cyber security technologies. The services provided will not only increase the competitiveness of companies but will also increase the competencies of the employees of the organisations providing them.
“We strive for regional leadership, therefore a possibility to collaborate with business, science and public sector to address digital challenges will make a significant contribution. New opportunities for digital solutions will increase our competencies, simultaneously strengthening the region on an international scale,” said Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius.
One of the goals of the project is an international cooperation with other European Digital Innovation Hubs. International partnerships will help the hubs find specialised digitisation tools faster and avoid duplication of digital solutions when sharing knowledge and searching for solutions internationally.
“We are pleased that the proposal submitted by our consortium has been rated as one of the best and has been awarded funding for the development of the consortium’s digitisation competencies, the development of international relations, and the provision of digitisation services to business and public sector. I am certain that the activities of EDIH VILNIUS in the Vilnius region will contribute to the competitiveness of companies in the country and support private companies to increase their productivity in times of crisis,” said Laima Balčiūnė, Head of the Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, which coordinates the activities of EDIH VILNIUS.
The EDIH VILNIUS consortium consists of the Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park (consortium coordinator), Vilnius University, VILNIUS TECH, Lithuanian Robotics Association, Lithuanian Biotechnology Association, Visoriai Information Technology Park, Vilnius city municipality, UAB BOD Lenses, Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology, and UAB Vilniaus Planas.