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Innovation Policy

Innovation, its development and promotion are an essential direction of the Lithuanian economy – a guarantee for competitiveness and welfare growth of the country.


The main strategic planning document for innovation policy is Lithuanian Innovation Development Programme 2014-2020, which was approved by Resolution No 1281 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 18 December 2013 and replaced previous Lithuanian Innovation Development Strategy. The programme has four objectives:

•To develop innovative society by developing new knowledge and its application.

•To enhance innovation potential of business.

•To promote the cooperation creation of value networking, development and internationalization.

•To increase efficiency of innovation policy-making and implementation and promote innovation in the public sector.


This programme is linked to Smart Specialisation as measures covered by the action plan of the programme will facilitate in promoting the established specific priorities of the smart specialisation area stimulating the competitiveness of the economy of Lithuania.

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania are the main institutions, responsible for the smart specialization process.

Implementation of innovation policy in Lithuania is carried out by Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology.


Main R&I policy developments:

  • The development, approval and initial implementation of the new R&I policy support measures under the Operational Programme (OP) 2014-2020 thematic objective 1, aimed at implementing the Lithuanian Smart Specialisation Strategy.
  • The Lithuanian Parliament has approved the amendments of the migration law that define an easier process of acquiring rights for permanent residency for citizens of non EU/EEA countries who wish to run innovative businesses in Lithuania. The “Startup Visa” came into force from January 2017.
  • OECD Review of Lithuanian Innovation Policy: Overall Assessment and Recommendations and it’s implementation Action Plan.