1. Coastal Research and Planning Institute,
Vision and development of the marine open access research infrastructure in Lithuania and EU
N.Blažauskas
Coastal Research and Planning Institute,
Klaipeda University

2. Driving forces
National level: Demand for modern research/maritime sector development
Baltic Sea Regional level: Strong region, implementation of SBSR
EU level: implementation of the integrated maritime policy of the EU.

3. Marine Sector of Lithuania
Marine business
Marine environment
Marine research and studies
Marine cultural heritage
Renewable energy
Marine and coastal resources
Biological
Mineral
Preparation and perfection of specialists
Marine investigations and exp. development
Fishery
Marine sociology
Marine economy
Marine technology
Navigation and ports
Shipbuilding and repair
Marine recreation
Fishing, aquaculture and fish handling

4. Creation of Marine Valley
Based on 2008 EU Integrated Maritime Policy and 2009 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and Action plan.
Government of the Republic of Lithuania Approved The Programme of Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley) for the development of Lithuanian Maritime Sector (No. 786, 23rd July, 2008).
Allocated financing - approx. 70 mln. EUR.

5. Initiators and Partners
Partners and
participants
Scientific and
academic
organizations
Business
associations
Self-government
institutions
Foreign
Scientific and
academic
organizations
Klaipeda Science and
Technology Park
National and private companies

6. Structure

7. Aim and objectives of the Valley Programme
to create a modern research infrastructure for the maritime research, academic studies, technological development and the needs of various state institutions;
to consolidate the most qualified researchers;
to update and modernize the infrastructure of university-level marine and maritime studies;
to create conditions for cooperation between maritime business and research/academic institutions, as well as for the emergence of knowledge-based enterprises relying on the commercialisation of scientific output;
to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian marine science and maritime technologies on the international market.

8. Scientific laboratories
Marine Ecosystems
Marine Chemistry
Fishery and aquaculture
Waterborne Technologies
Reliability of Maritime structures
Measures to be implemented till 2013

9. Principles of Management
Valley laboratories operate as the Centre of Open Access
Association “Baltic Valley” is responsible for integration of interests of science, studies and business

10. Initial Goal
To foster the development of maritime sector (research and business) in Lithuania.

11. Development of the Project
Project have been prepared
Funds for creation of the VALLEY have been granted
Tendering is ongoing
Equipmet is being purchased

12. Critical Issues: Labs should be certified
Equipment and infrastructure should be maintained
Stuff should be prepared and kept hold
Created tools has to serve the goals addressed.

13. Chances to sustain
(1)Initiated idea (introduced in Lahti): “Marine Science and Research OPEN ACCESS Infrastructure Network for the Baltic Sea Region”. (2)Also could be transformed to the EU wide project

14. Measures needed
Prioritizing the existing Financial Instruments and created TOOLS (research infrastructures, data management platforms, observation systems etc.. ) according to the ultimate MP goals:
PROMOTION OF USE VIA IMPLEMENTATION

15. FURTHER steps: Project concept development
Identification of OPEN ACCESS facilities in EU;
Creation of the network;
Applications according to the allocated priority STREAM un the existing Funds.