A significant international recognition has been awarded to Lithuania’s science and innovation community. TTO Lithuania—the national collaboration platform uniting Lithuanian Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)—has officially become a member of the National Associations Advisory Council (NAAC), a governing body of the European knowledge and technology transfer association ASTP.
This achievement marks another important step in Lithuania’s continued integration into Europe’s highest-level knowledge transfer and innovation governance structures. In its official welcome letter, ASTP emphasized that TTO Lithuania’s membership will strengthen the voice of Lithuania’s innovation community and provide opportunities to contribute actively to the development of European Union innovation policies. Vilma Purienė, Director of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Centre at VILNIUS TECH and current Chair of the TTO Lithuania network, has been appointed as Lithuania’s official representative to the committee.
What Is NAAC and Why Does It Matter for Lithuania?
The National Associations Advisory Council (NAAC) is one of ASTP’s key governance bodies, currently bringing together 35 national associations from 28 European countries. The committee serves as a vital link between European-level initiatives, regional technology transfer offices, and local innovation ecosystems.
By becoming a full member of NAAC, TTO Lithuania gains strategic opportunities in four key areas:
Representation and Visibility
Each national association is represented in the committee by one official delegate. From now on, the interests and perspectives of Lithuania’s knowledge and technology transfer professionals will be represented alongside those of Europe’s leading innovation nations.
Advisory Role in European Innovation Policy
NAAC members provide direct advice to ASTP’s Executive Board on European and EU policy matters related to innovation, knowledge commercialization, and technology deployment. This enables Lithuania not only to learn from international best practices but also to share its own experiences, achievements, and emerging trends with the broader European innovation community.
Influence on Governance
NAAC holds the unique right to nominate candidates directly to the ASTP Executive Board, ensuring that the perspectives of national associations remain an integral part of strategic decision-making processes.
Participation in Decision-Making
As a member of the council, TTO Lithuania gains voting rights within the organization, allowing it to participate directly in the adoption of key resolutions and the submission of proposals.
A Step Towards Deeper European Integration
NAAC members collaborate actively throughout the year. The council typically holds five to six meetings annually, including four online sessions and up to two in-person gatherings. These meetings address the most pressing issues in knowledge transfer, review developments in regulatory frameworks, and foster the creation of joint initiatives and projects.
TTO Lithuania’s accession to the council opens new opportunities for specialists from Lithuanian universities, research institutes, and technology transfer organizations to engage more closely in international processes, strengthen their professional expertise, and help ensure that Lithuanian scientific discoveries and innovations reach global markets more effectively.
This milestone further reinforces Lithuania’s position within the European innovation ecosystem and highlights the growing recognition of the country’s contributions to knowledge transfer, research commercialization, and innovation-driven growth.
