In 2013, the average municipal solid waste production in the EU amounted 481 kg per capita. Of this, 42% was recovered through recycling or composting, 30% was landfilled and 26% was incinerated. In Lithuania however, waste management is less developed and some 96% of municipal solid waste is landfilled and only 4% of waste is recycled. Research is needed in LT to develop better waste management systems leading to the reduction waste going to landfill and an increase in recovery of useful materials from waste in accordance with EU Directives. The aim of the WALISOLU project is to develop the proficiency of scientists at Vilniaus Gedimino Technical University (VGTU) in the research area of waste management leading to the formation of a Waste Management Research Centre in the Baltic States. The project will contribute to the implementation of the Lithuanian Smart Specialization Strategy through the recovery of energy and fuel from waste, and sustainable waste treatment, disposal and storage. Leading researchers from the University of Southampton (UK) and Lulea Technical University (SE) will provide training and mentoring for researchers at VGTU. Training activities will provide knowledge and expertise in waste management research, especially regarding modelling, and laboratory and field research techniques. Mentoring of the research activities of VGTU staff will lead to improvements in experimental design, data collection and analysis as well as to the production of high-level scientific publications and participation in international research projects. WALISOLU will improve the quality of research and will raise the profile of VGTU researchers. Working together with highly experienced and skilled partners in waste management research will raise the competence level of VGTU researchers. Greater national and international collaboration will lead to the creation of a waste management research centre and will unlock VGTU and its scientists’ research potential in ERA.

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