Edih vilnius

The growing importance of digitization and sustainability in the world as well as the program of the European Commission named DIGITAL provides unique opportunities Lithuanian business and the public sector. To promote the digital transformation of the economy, the European Commission has established European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH). The project prepared by the consortium EDIH VILNIUS was among those selected by the European Commission, which will help Lithuanian companies and organizations overcome the challenges of digitization.

The members participating in the consortium will provide services to business enterprises and the public sector. For the universities taking part in the project, this is a new opportunity not only to provide new services, but also develop the competences of the scientific and academic community.

According to Dalius Navakauskas, VILNIUS TECH Vice-Rector for science and innovation: ‘It opens a great opportunity for universities to expand cooperation between science and business. The activities of the European Digital Innovation Center will help to increase internationality of VILNIUS TECH University by developing and putting into the practice new cyber security, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and production solutions based on cloud computing.’

‘The range of applicability of digital innovations is relevant for every sector of the economy which aims to create goods and services of higher added value not only in Lithuania, but also internationally. Vilnius University researchers can offer development solutions for artificial intelligence, processing of large data with high-performance computers, knowledge and experience of digital skills in the business and public sector,‘ commented prof. Edita Suziedėlienė, Vilniaus University Vice-Rector for science.

Members of the EDIH VILNIUS consortium, combining their strengths and competences, will help small and medium enterprises and public institutions of Vilnius region with digitization processes. The consortium will carry out the dissemination of digital solutions developed by supercomputers, artificial intelligence, and cyber security technologies. The services provided will not only increase the competitiveness of companies, but also grow competences of the employees of the providing organizations.

‘We strive for regional leadership, so the cooperation between business, science, and the public sector in addressing digital challenges, will help make this happen. The innovation company Vilniaus planas together with the municipality will not only discover new opportunities in creation digital solutions that will increase our competences, but also strengthen the region at the international level‘, said Remigijus Šimašius, Vilnius City Mayor.

One of the goals of the project is international cooperation with other European digital innovation centers. International partnerships will help centers to find faster specialized digitization tools and avoid duplication of digital solutions by exchanging knowledge and looking for solutions.

The main areas services of project will include automation, smart city development solutions and smart health. Services will be divided into four categories according to which the consortium members will advise the applying companies and public organizations. The first group of services – testing before investment will allow to conduct experiments, create prototypes, etc., the second – digital skills and training organization, the third – attracting funding and investments, and the fourth – innovation ecosystem and networking services group.

‘We are pleased that the proposal submitted by our consortium was evaluated as one of the best and the funding provided to it will be dedicated to grow competences of the consortium members in digitization, develop international relations and digitization services for business and public sector provision. I have no doubt that EDIH VILNIUS activities in Vilnius region will contribute to the competitiveness of companies within the country and help businesses to increase their productivity in times of crisis’, said the Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, Laima Balčiūnė, head coordinator of EDIH VILNIUS.

To increase the level of digitization of organizations in Europe, the European Commission selected 136 European digital innovation centers which will receive funding to provide digitization services in the regions. Small and medium-sized businesses and public institutions of the Vilnius region soon will be able to apply to EDIH VILNIUS consortium to increase the level of digitization. During the project consultants will perform digital audits, advise on the integration of different technologies, test prototypes for the organizations.

The functions of EDIH will be performed and services will be provided in Central and Western Lithuania by two other centers, coordinated by the Lithuanian Innovation Center and Kaunas University of Technology.

The EDIH VILNIUS consortium consists of the Sunrise Valley Science & Technology Park (consortium coordinator), VILNIUS TECH, Vilnius University, Lithuanian Robotics association, Lithuanian Biotechnology Association, Visoriai Information Technology Park, Vilnius City Municipality, JSC BOD Lenses, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology and JSC Vilniaus Planas.