NATIONAL ES PROJECTS
„Kvalifikacijos tobulinimas darbo vietoje“
Project No.: 09.4.3-ESFA-K-827-04-0018
Project period: 2020/12/21 – 2022/12/21
Measure: Apprenticeships and Workplace Skills Development
On 21 December 2020, the project promoter UAB “De Futuro” launched the project “Workplace Skills Development” under Measure No. 09.4.3-ESFA-K-827 “Apprenticeships and Workplace Skills Development” of Priority 9 “Public Education and Increasing the Potential of Human Resources” of the 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Operational Programme.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 351,192.49, with up to EUR 175,596.24 allocated for the implementation of the project. The project is financed by the European Social Fund.
The aim of the project is to improve employees’ qualification levels, professional mobility, and their ability to adapt to rapidly changing activities and requirements in the manufacturing sector.
The project is intended to provide workplace-based skills development training for employees in the health technology, textile, and rehabilitation product manufacturing sectors, based on specially developed non-formal training programmes.
The project aims to train 173 employees working in the health technology, textile, and rehabilitation product manufacturing sectors. Therefore, the project is being implemented together with two partners facing similar challenges related to employee skills development.
The shortage of skilled labour is becoming an increasingly significant issue for companies manufacturing health technology, textile, and rehabilitation products. The limited availability of qualified workers leads to lower productivity, which in turn reduces the competitiveness of these companies both domestically and in comparison with companies in neighbouring countries.
The most effective way to address the shortage of skilled labour is to improve employees’ qualifications, strengthen their competencies, and provide appropriate training. EU funding therefore enables companies to provide apprenticeship-based employee training and secure a competitive and qualified workforce. Apprenticeship-based training is a particularly effective tool that allows companies to prepare the skilled employees they need quickly and efficiently.
The project provides mutual benefits for both companies and their employees, ensuring that apprenticeships benefit not only the employer but also the employee undergoing training. A high level of job relevance is achieved through direct workplace learning and continuous guidance from an experienced supervisor.
In addition to providing skills directly relevant to the workplace, apprenticeships will also enable participants to achieve a higher level of qualification. Participants will be trained according to non-formal training programmes. The higher level of qualification acquired, together with a broad range of practical knowledge and skills, will strengthen their competitiveness in the labour market.
During the training, participants will have opportunities to improve their qualifications, expand their knowledge and competencies, and acquire new skills that will also be valuable when seeking future employment opportunities. This will help motivate existing employees while enabling them to create greater added value for their companies.
„Kvalifikacijos tobulinimas darbo vietoje“
Project No.: 09.4.3-ESFA-K-827-03-0015
Project period: 2019/08/02 – 2021/08/02
Measure: Apprenticeships and Workplace Skills Development
On 2 August 2019, the project promoter UAB “De Futuro” launched the project “Workplace Skills Development” under Measure No. 09.4.3-ESFA-K-827 “Apprenticeships and Workplace Skills Development” of Priority 9 “Public Education and Increasing the Potential of Human Resources” of the 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Operational Programme.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 489,804.00, with up to EUR 274,290.24 allocated for the implementation of the project. The project is partially financed by the European Social Fund.
The aim of the project is to improve employees’ qualification levels, professional mobility, and their ability to adapt to rapidly changing activities and requirements in the manufacturing sector.
The project is intended to provide workplace-based training for company employees in order to improve their qualifications. The main focus is on practical training, with participants receiving workplace instruction based on non-formal education programmes tailored to employers’ requirements and needs.
The project aims to train 205 employees from manufacturing and service sector companies. It is therefore being implemented together with 10 partners that face the challenge of improving employee qualifications in order to remain competitive in the market.
As the emigration of skilled workers has been one of the main challenges facing the Lithuanian labour market in recent years, the training of more highly qualified employees in various fields will help address the shortage of skilled labour both within participating companies and in the wider labour market. The training programmes developed during the project take into account changes in the labour market and are designed to improve employees’ existing qualifications through non-formal workplace training. The training will focus not only on achieving the objectives of individual organisations but also on meeting the needs of the wider market.
The benefits of non-formal apprenticeship-based training are significant for both groups of project participants – companies and trainees. Companies will gain employees trained according to the specific requirements of their workplaces. Employees will actively participate in vocational training, gaining a better understanding of the importance of workplace learning and continuous professional development. Companies investing in new technologies will be able to provide trainees with stronger practical knowledge and experience.
The project will create opportunities for participants to acquire competencies required for specific workplaces. During the training, participants will have opportunities to improve their qualifications, expand their knowledge and competencies, and acquire new skills that will also be valuable when seeking future employment opportunities. This will help motivate existing employees while enabling them to create greater added value for their companies.
It should be emphasised that the project aims to provide businesses with a competitive and qualified workforce while ensuring that training meets current labour market needs.
"Wellness cluster iVita Research, Development and Innovation open access infrastructure creation (iVitaLab)"
Project No.: 01.2.1-LVPA-K-833-02-0002
Project period: 2017/10/02–2019/10/01
Measure: Inoklaster LT No. 2
As the project promoter, UAB “De Futuro”, together with cluster members, launched the project “Development of the iVita Wellness Cluster Open-Access R&D&I Infrastructure (iVitaLab)” on 2 October 2017 under Measure No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-833 “Inoklaster LT” of Priority 1 “Promotion of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation” of the 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Operational Programme.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 868,000.00, with EUR 564,200.00 allocated to the project promoter for project implementation. The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The project will be implemented from 2 October 2017 until 1 October 2019.
The project falls within the Smart Specialisation area of “Health Technologies and Biotechnology” and the priority “Advanced Medical Engineering for Early Diagnosis and Treatment”.
During the project, the coordinator of the “iVita” wellness cluster will establish the “iVitaLab” open-access infrastructure for R&D&I activities by acquiring new research test stands and equipment for joint R&D&I activities. The project will contribute to the cluster’s objective of increasing the visibility of the “iVita” cluster, expanding its membership, and becoming involved in international networks. Following implementation of the project and the use of the research equipment acquired during the project, innovative and technologically improved products will be developed in the fields of preventive healthcare and rehabilitation.
By establishing new infrastructure for R&D&I activities, including new research test stands and equipment, UAB “De Futuro” will create new and unique scientific and technological services that companies will be able to use for the development of new products.
During the project, the following equipment is planned to be acquired for the development of the cluster’s open-access R&D&I infrastructure (iVitaLab):
• a research test stand for precision rehabilitation components;
• a research test stand for functional and smart textiles;
• 2 pieces of equipment: a knitting machine and a foot scanner.
Project benefits: The new cluster infrastructure will enable the creation of specialised R&D services. An analysis of the equipment available at open-access centres and clusters in Lithuania has shown that these centres and clusters do not possess the research equipment required for the project.
The research test stands and equipment acquired during the project will enable the joint R&D activities planned by the cluster to be carried out and allow cluster members to develop and improve products intended for individual and public preventive healthcare and rehabilitation. These products will offer users new benefits such as improved safety, preventive healthcare, greater effectiveness in achieving desired results, increased motivation, and improved health.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 489,804.00, with up to EUR 274,290.24 allocated for the implementation of the project. The project is partially financed by the European Social Fund.
The aim of the project is to improve employees’ qualification levels, professional mobility, and their ability to adapt to rapidly changing activities and requirements in the manufacturing sector.
The project is intended to provide workplace-based training for company employees in order to improve their qualifications. The main focus is on practical training, with participants receiving workplace instruction based on non-formal education programmes tailored to employers’ requirements and needs.
The project aims to train 205 employees from manufacturing and service sector companies. It is therefore being implemented together with 10 partners that face the challenge of improving employee qualifications in order to remain competitive in the market.
As the emigration of skilled workers has been one of the main challenges facing the Lithuanian labour market in recent years, the training of more highly qualified employees in various fields will help address the shortage of skilled labour both within participating companies and in the wider labour market. The training programmes developed during the project take into account changes in the labour market and are designed to improve employees’ existing qualifications through non-formal workplace training. The training will focus not only on achieving the objectives of individual organisations but also on meeting the needs of the wider market.
The benefits of non-formal apprenticeship-based training are significant for both groups of project participants – companies and trainees. Companies will gain employees trained according to the specific requirements of their workplaces. Employees will actively participate in vocational training, gaining a better understanding of the importance of workplace learning and continuous professional development. Companies investing in new technologies will be able to provide trainees with stronger practical knowledge and experience. The project will create opportunities for participants to acquire competencies required for specific workplaces.
During the training, participants will have opportunities to improve their qualifications, expand their knowledge and competencies, and acquire new skills that will also be valuable when seeking future employment opportunities. This will help motivate existing employees while enabling them to create greater added value for their companies.
It should be emphasised that the project aims to provide businesses with a competitive and qualified workforce while ensuring that training meets current labour market needs.
MITA Project “Promotion and Development of Innovation Networking (InoLink)”
Project period: 2016/07 – 2020/01/20
Project partner: Lithuanian Innovation Centre
The aim of the project is to encourage companies to join clusters, increase cluster maturity, promote growth, and foster international cooperation.
Project objectives:
to encourage companies to join clusters and increase cluster maturity;
to develop the internationalisation of clusters and encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in international cluster initiatives.
During the project, MITA organises cluster development sessions, targeted expert consultations on cluster development and growth, events for clusters, and information events for SMEs. Information is also disseminated through www.klaster.lt, with website content available in Lithuanian and English.
To strengthen the internationalisation of Lithuanian clusters, international partner search events will be organised according to smart specialisation areas, partner search services will be provided, and consultations will be offered on attracting new international members to clusters and involving Lithuanian SMEs in clusters operating abroad.
A publication will also be prepared about clusters operating in Lithuania that invest in technology and R&D&I.
“Development of Mobile Health Systems for Managing Individual Aerobic Endurance Training Loads and Receiving E-Consultations (HRV Workout)”
Project No.: J05-LVPA-K-01-0076
Project period: 2017/03/01–2019/02/28
Measure: Intelektas LT
As the project promoter, UAB “De Futuro”, together with its partner Lithuanian Sports University, launched the project “Development of Mobile Health Technology Systems for Managing Individual Aerobic Endurance Training Loads and Receiving E-Consultations (HRVworkout)” on 1 March 2017 under Measure No. J05-LVPA-K “Intellect. Joint Science-Business Projects” of Priority 1 “Promotion of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation” of the 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Operational Programme.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 161,532.28, with EUR 141,011.81 allocated to the project promoter for project implementation. The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The project will be implemented from 1 March 2017 until 28 February 2019.
The project falls within the Smart Specialisation area of “Health Technologies and Biotechnology” and the priority “Advanced Applied Technologies for Individual and Public Health”.
The project addresses important challenges in individual and public healthcare, including reducing chronic non-communicable diseases and obesity by promoting safe and effective physical activity with the help of smart mobile health technologies.
Due to declining birth rates and increasing emigration, Lithuania’s population declined continuously between 1997 and 2010, while the population structure shifted towards an ageing society. Between 2001 and 2014, the number of children under the age of 14 decreased by 37.4%, while the number of people over the age of 65 increased by 13.8% over the same period. In 2014, people aged over 65 accounted for 17.4% of Lithuania’s total population. As the population aged, chronic non-communicable diseases accounted for an increasing proportion of morbidity and mortality, leading to a corresponding increase in the human and financial resources required for treatment and patient care.
Another significant issue is that around 44% of Lithuania’s population does not participate in sports or exercise at all, compared with an EU Member State average of 39%. Declining levels of physical activity are one of the main causes of obesity, and Lithuania is no exception, ranking 37th among countries worldwide by obesity prevalence.
Another challenge in the field of mobile health technologies is that individuals and healthcare professionals often do not know how to use the physiological data collected by smart wearable technologies, how to interpret such data, or what recommendations and consultations should be provided based on it.
Project benefits: The project will develop smart mobile health technology systems designed to enable individuals to manage their aerobic endurance training loads through personalised biofeedback and receive e-consultations. Based on individually performed tests and heart rate variability indicators, the mobile systems will enable users to receive personalised training programmes for various types of physical activity, including running, cycling, rowing, Nordic walking, and dynamic exercise in fitness centres.
The system will collect data using smart wearable technologies from various manufacturers, including Polar, Zephyr, and others, capable of measuring heart rate variability and other physiological parameters. A software model of a cyclic exercise device will also be developed for testing and adjusting exercise intensity.
The personalised training management models and equipment developed during the project will enable users to receive the most appropriate individual e-consultations, helping to improve health, increase the effectiveness of training results, and ensure safe physical activity.
The project results will help address one of the most significant challenges in healthcare by reducing the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases.
"iVita awareness and network development (InterGates)"
Project date: 01/02/2017-31/01/2019
Project No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-833-01-0001
The iVita Wellness Cluster launched the project “iVita Visibility and Network Development (InterGates)” on 1 February 2017 under Measure No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-833 “Inoklaster LT” of Priority 1 “Promotion of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation” of the 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Operational Programme.
The total eligible project costs amount to EUR 83,755.86, with up to EUR 41,877.93 allocated to the project promoter for project implementation. The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
The aim of the project is to promote cooperation among members of the iVita Wellness Cluster in carrying out research, experimental development and innovation activities.
During the project, the coordinator of the iVita Wellness Cluster will carry out activities related to attracting new members, increasing awareness and visibility, participating in international networks, strengthening cooperation between members, disseminating information, improving connections, enhancing the cluster’s sustainability, and promoting R&D and innovation activities. The project aims to increase the visibility and membership of the iVita cluster, strengthen its involvement in international networks, and carry out joint R&D activities.
Following implementation of the project, the cluster aims to achieve results including an increase in the number of members, participation in an international network, and the development of three new product or service concepts together with cluster members. To achieve the latter objective, over a three-year period the cluster plans to develop or technologically improve three product groups:
Mobile health technologies and preventive health monitoring products;
Wellness programmes and occupational safety solutions;
Rehabilitation technology products and solutions.
"Smart wearable sensors system for human health monitoring (iMon)"
Project No. VP2-1.3-ŪM-02-K-04-055
Project date: 01/10/2013-30/09/2015
UAB “De Futuro” as a partner, together with UAB “Baltec CNC Technologies” and AB “Audimas” has just completed the implementation of an innovative project “Smart wearable sensors system for human health monitoring (iMon)”. Its implementation was intended for the financing of EUR 235 378.82 from the European Regional Development Fund under the Economic Growth Action Programme priority “Economic competitiveness and economic growth of the research and technological development” by the measure “Intellect LT”.
The project goal was to create smart wearable bio – sensors system for heart rate, respiratory and temperature monitoring.
The system includes three components – wearable sensor network module, user device interface module and health management server module, which provides vital user profile monitoring, information about the user’s condition, treatment methods and real – time exchange of information within the system.
Competences used in the project:
bio-sensors (measuring of heart rate, respiratory and skin temperature);
smart textile (smart textile chest belt and fitness shirts prototype with integrated bio – sensors);
testing and validation of prototype with sport specialists.
"Improving competitiveness and development of wellness cluster iVita (Phase II)"
Project No. VP2-1.4-ŪM-01-K-02-005
Since May 2014 JSC till September 2015 “De Futuro” implemented project funded by EU Structural Funds “Improving competitiveness and development of wellness cluster iVita (Phase II)”.
The project was intended to promote wellness cluster iVita competitiveness increase and development. Cluster coordinator by implementing project conducted research which was needed for cluster development, took care of marketing to attract new members, was organising workshops and events to promote cluster members to share their knowledge, experience and skills and was seek to strengthen cluster internal and external communication skills. Cluster members created few innovative products – stress management, physical activity and social interaction involving assessment system; wellness in the workplace; system for children tachycardia identify in the early disease stage. System includes three automated components / subsystems – wearable sensor network module, user equipment interface module, and wellness management server module, which provides vital monitoring of user parameters, information about the user’s condition, treatment methods and real – time exchange of information within the system. Modular system components allow automating the management processes of health and will minimize health specialists intervention need.
"Improving competitiveness and development of wellness cluster iVita"
Project No. VP2-1.4-ŪM-01-K-01-010
Since August 2012 till April 2015 JSC “De Futuro” implemented project funded by EU Structural Funds “Improving competitiveness and development of wellness cluster iVita”.
The project was intended to promote wellness cluster iVita competitiveness increase and development. The project complies with cluster development strategy and directly relates with cluster iVita activity. The project need was result of previous cluster members cooperation.
NoBoCap - Notified Body Increased Capacity
Funding Source: European Union
Programme: EU4Health
Reference: 101101269
Project duration: 1° of March 2023- 1° of March 2026
The main objective of the project is to increase the capacity of notified bodies (NB) quickly and sustainably.
The consortium of 11 partners:
Main applicant: ROHEALTH – The Health and Bioeconomy Cluster
P2: SGS IRELAND LIMITED (Ireland)
P3: TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLIN (Ireland)
P4: UNIVERSITEIT GENT (Belgium)
P5: UAB DE FUTURO/iVITA (Lithuania)
P6: HBIO (Greece)
P8: EU4HEALTHSOLUTIONS (Belgium)
P9: MEDVIA (Belgium)
P10: Universitatea de Medicină, Farmacie, Științe și Tehnologie „George Emil Palade” (Romania)
Project objectives: incorporating the main stakeholders of the industry while at the same time considering the high levels of impartiality, ensuring short- and long-term training goals for participants, evaluating present and forecasted market needs, and all this for both MDR and IVDR (in vitro diagnostic medical devices).
Respectively these initiatives project will improve technical knowledge at the NBs allowing new technologies to be adapted quickly with fewer delays in the approval process and will ensure that there is greater opportunity and visibility for a career path for staff to transit from industry to NBs, providing strong professional pathways for industry candidates to meet the entry requirements for NB’s.
This will result in industry and NB reducing time on technical and clinical assessments and NBs can stay ahead of the curve when it comes to a pipeline of human resources.
The project will have a great impact on NBs, CABs, market operators, healthcare professionals, and their patients in a sustainable and controlled manner.
#Qualify2Certify #NoBoCap #EU4Health #HaDEA
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Interoperable Remote Health Innovation Brought to Scale (IRHIS)
Funding Source: European Union
Programme: I3-2023-INV2a
Reference: 101160941
Project duration: 2nd of September 2024- 1st of September 2027
IRHIS aims to accelerate the upscale of remote health innovations and innovators offering AI-powered, cutting-edge sensor solutions, wearable devices, and remote monitoring solutions across three critical EU remote care areas: musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurological disorder treatment, and critical patient conditions. By leveraging Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning, IRHIS will personalise clinical paths and improve patient outcomes while ensuring regulatory compliance and cross-device interoperability.
21 partners from 13 European regions intend to demonstrate a portfolio of 3 interregional investments of 8 technologies developed by EU MedTech SMEs, to jointly boost and deploy innovative remote care solutions, embedding Scale-Ups from transition and less developed regions into global value chains. To that aim, the 3 DemoScale labs will facilitate the demonstration of 8 key TRL6+ technologies and accelerate their faster market uptake. The project IRHIS will federate less developed, transition and developed regions around joint innovation investments and will support the advancement of regional smart specialisation around the shared S3 priority Medical Technology towards commercialisation and scale-up.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Erasmus+ projektas „Fostering the innovation in the European habitat and e-health sectors through the Public Procurement of Innovative solutions to improve the European SMEs competitiveness(HAePPI)"
Project date: 01/12/2019-31/05/2022 Project No. 2019-1-DK01-KA202-060224
The European project HAePPI aims to promote the connection between two different industrial sectors, the housing and the health sectors, to collaborate in tenders for innovative public procurement and R&D+i projects.
The objective of the HAePPI project is to develop an Innovative Public Procurement training tool aligned with the needs of SMEs in the housing sector that usually offer hospital equipment. Employees in the housing and health sector companies, for the most part, are unaware of the opportunities that innovative public procurement can offer them and they need an innovative and open training programme. This programme will provide an adapted curriculum that will allow professionals in both sectors (housing and health) to acquire the specific, basic and transversal skills currently required to foster innovation in their companies. The programme will also help expanding their niche market by means of this type of public purchase.
Innovative public procurement (IPP) is an administrative action to promote innovation through public procurement. It entails the acquisition by public authorities of new goods and services introduced for the first time into the market and developed by companies that opt for such a tender.
The development of the IPP is addressed by working on both the demand side, that is, the public manager bidding for innovative public procurement contracts, and the supply side, that is, companies competing in tenders helping them to participate and to submit innovative offers.
The HAePPI project partnership is strategically formed by 6 organisations from different countries with demonstrated experience in achieving the project objectives. The working team consists of two universities with high experience in public procurement policies: the University of Zaragoza, responsible for the management of the Observatory of Public Procurement (ObCP) and the University of Lodz in Poland. Two clusters, which directly receive the objectives of the project: the Innovative Business Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Related in the Region of Murcia (AMUEBLA) and IVITA – a health cluster of Lithuania. The Styrian Technology Park of Slovenia, experts in innovation management and, last but not least, the public entity and project coordinator, the Nordjylland Region of Denmark.
BSR Innovation Express project “Networking and knowledge exchange to increase cluster's visibility in international markets (NETWORK)”
Project date: 01/10/2013-31/12/2014
The project was intended to generate new ideas for R&D and innovation projects, to identify cluster target partners, to develop concepts and cooperation in Norway.
Pagrindinis projekto tikslas yra organizuoti tarptautinius susitikimus ir darbo grupes, skatinant dalintis pažangiomis technologijomis ir inovacijomis tarp Lietuvos ir Vokietijos SVV įmonių, siekti tinklinio bendradarbiavimo, sukurti naują tarptautinį konsorciumą ir kartu parengti paraišką naujam mokslinių tyrimų projektui.
Bendradarbiavimas suteiks galimybes pasidalinti sveikatos priežiūros technologijų, sporto ir mokslo inovacijų, e- Health ir „know – how“ patirtimi tarp dviejų šalių – Lietuvos ir Vokietijos įmonių.
The following activities will be carried out during the project:
- Seminars and meetings with working groups.
- Networking and cooperation.
- Technology and knowledge transfer.
- Feasibility studies and testing.
BSR Innovation Express Project “Network Expansion and Knowledge Exchange to Increase the Cluster’s Visibility in International Markets (TINKLAS)”
Project date: 2017/04/01-2018/09/30
The project focused on generating new R&D project ideas, identifying potential cluster partners, developing concepts, and fostering cooperation in Norway.