EPICENTRE: Meet the partners! LITMEA

Submitted by Joan Puate Puy on 24 March 2023

Blog foto 2

SMART food cluster managed by Lithuanian food exporters association LitMEA, was created in 2013. The cluster gathers 120 members (80 SMEs and 15 corporates and 25 other public authorities, research centres, universities and etc.) from Agrofood, food processing and manufacturing sectors helping cluster members to enhance competitiveness in foreign markets, bringing together the capabilities of the companies, competencies and contacts.

The cluster strengthens are cooperation for the development of functional, innovative food products and beverages, boosting business & science cooperation between corporate technologists and research institutions.

The main mission of the Cluster is to help companies from Lithuanian Food Exporters Association to increase competitiveness in foreign markets by uniting the capabilities, expertise and contacts.

The vision is to become the most influential Cluster uniting the Lithuanian food producers and traders which would effectively represent the interests of the Clusters companies in order to develop the export of Lithuanian food and beverage.

SMART food cluster managed by Lithuanian food exporters association LitMEA has experience in:

1. At fostering participation in joint export promotion projects with other associates and business structures,
2. finding new partners in foreign markets and exchanging mutually beneficial information,
3. jointly disseminating information about cluster activities and building international visibility for its cluster members.
4. The cluster strengthens cooperation for the development of functional, innovative food products and beverages, boosting business & science cooperation between corporate technologists and research institutions.
5. Strengthening Cluster organizations’ export development.

Main priorities:
1. Matchmaking between food businesses and research in Europe, Scandinavia and Lithuania.
2. Cooperation in developing and implementing innovative products.
3. Promoting clusters internationalization, and encouraging R&D usage in SME,
4. strengthening capacity building and skills development in Cluster and in Cluster organizations.

The main activities:

1. Join activities: involvement in joint activities that are related to the activities of the SMART FOOD cluster in pursuit of common goals through the development of new innovation joint products and services.
2. Internationalization activities: business missions and exhibitions, joint missions and participation in exhibitions are organized to promote business cooperation, export activities and business development.
3. Qualification training: Short-term, time-limited and tailor-made qualification training which are signed to improve the qualifications of employees of companies in order to improve the products and services provided by companies.
4. Online webinars: with different topics for actual themes for companies, stakeholder and so on.
5. Network activities: Organizing seminars, workshops, round tables, think tank to connect companies, SMEs, universities and Start Ups with stakeholders, politics and chambers especially within the food sector.
6. Funding Advice: Advisory service for companies and SMEs concerning questions about the various national and international funding programmes. Assistance at the application stage and during the project procedure.

Share this Article