Fast development of information and communication technologies (ICT) and consequently formation of knowledge economy are the main reason for many changes of the last decades. Information technologies irreversible become the compound part of infrastructure of society, penetrating main spheres such as economics, culture, politics, etc. Information society, sometimes called knowledge society, creates new individual, organizational and society-wide possibilities and challenges.

European Information Society

European Union (EU) enhances development of information society through political, social and economical strategies. In the political level common legal and regulation structure is being formatted. In social level individual is considered the end target of the information society. Common market idea is promoted in the economical level. It would support an evolution of shared information space in Europe. Through various programs and initiatives EU contributes to the growth of information society. Research and technological development (RTD) is recognized as the key element for improvement of information infrastructure of society.

Research in the field of information society technologies is able to provide the answers for many social and economical challenges. Evolving knowledge and technologies extending its limits, applications and efficiency shall open broader possibilities for seamless and non-discriminative access of citizens. The main objective of information society technologies programs is to create information and communication technologies that support high quality services for the users. Main role in technology and information (knowledge) intensive environment is granted to the individual, i.e. citizens.

Promoting user-friendly information society

The Information Society Technologies (IST), a part of European Union's Fifth Framework Programme, through research and technological development activities promotes user-friendly information society.

The program is structured around 4 Key Actions (KA):

KA1 Systems and Services for Citizen,
KA2 New Methods of Work and Electronic Commerce,
KA3 Multimedia Content and Tools,
KA4 Essential Technologies and Infrastructures.

Every Key Action represents a range of research and related activities from basic to applied research. In addition to main Key Actions IST program supports projects in defined priority areas of Research Networking and Future and Emerging Technologies. Research topics that are relevant to whole program and are not covered by specific program priority lines are coordinated through Cross-Programme Themes.

IST implementation in 1999-2002

5FP IST program covers period of 1999-2002. During the period 8 IST calls for submissions were executed. Over 3450 mln Euro were distributed for implementation of more than 2200 projects.

The indicative budget allocation to Programme:

Area/year	WP1999	WP2000	WP2001	WP2002	Total
KA1	212	171	118	51	552
KA2	193	132	102	40	467
KA3	178	155	111	38	481
KA4	485	283	253	142	1.163
FET	80	89	75	55	300
RN	90	21	21	4	136
CPA	71	141	170	42	424
Total IST	1.308	992	849	373	3.522
Number of Programme calls	2	3	2	1	8

Newly associated states in IST program

5FP is open to all legal entities from Member States of European Union, European Economic Association members and Candidate Countries associated with the programme. In 5FP IST due to specific agreements participation of 12 Newly Associated States (NAS), Lithuania among them was opened. More than 5300 participations in total were registered during the IST program period. NAS take part in every third IST project (over 1000). After VIII.1.6 priority "Enhancing cooperation with NAS partners" was opened in 2001, European Commission (EC) received more than 130 proposals from 400 NAS organizations. More than half of submitted proposals were retained for negotiations, EC have signed project contracts with around 200 NAS research institutes, universities and industrial partners. The chart provided by EU-Bureau of the BMBF illiustrates cadidate countries performance in IST program in the period 1999-2001 . It has to be taken into consideration that the most recent statistics (2001-2002) is not represented in the chart. However there should not be big changes, especially in the participations of Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Study of neighboring countries experience is required in order to answer the question why Lithuania is lagging behind.

5FP IST program and Lithuania: review of participation

In the period of 1999-2002 Lithuanian participants were registered in 132 proposals, out of them 30 projects were successful and 3 proposals were included in reserve lists. First year of the program was almost missed due to Lithuania's association agreement came in effect in 1999. During 2001-2002 significant increase in participation could be explained by stabilization of Lithuanian economy, reforms of RTD policy and natural learning processes. Another reason for participation raise could be opened specific measures - priority VIII.1.6 "Enabling RTD co-operation with Newly Associated States". Lithuanian partners submitted 17 (82 % of them in the 8 call) proposals of priority VIII.1.6. Almost half (47 %) of these were successful. While general success rate of proposals submitted in partnership with Lithuanians is 22 %. Preliminary IST financial participation in RTD projects in Lithuania shall exceed 1.9 million Euro. Average project implementation term is 2 year, although specific project time varies from 1 to 4 years. As analysis of Lithuanian performance in IST by types of actions shows there were submitted proposals: 72 research and development projects (RTD), 29 accompanying measures (AM), 18 thematic networks (TN), 10 Take-up actions (TU), 2 demonstrations (D) and 2 FET projects. The chart presents success rates by action types. Figures in or next to column indicate number of retained for negotiation or failed projects. The number of Lithuanian RTD proposals submissions is the biggest, although higher success rate is in the accompanying measures, take-up actions and thematic networks. Insufficient scientific and innovation level was the most frequent reason of the proposal failure. Analysis of evaluation sheets disclosed some other common faults: unclear perspective of economical or research development, missing competence, insufficient cooperation within consortia, etc. Despite considerable degree of failure there are just a few ineligible proposals.

Box shows participation of Lithuanian researchers by IST key actions

Key Actions	Number of proposals	Retained for negotiation	Reserved
Reserved	25	5	1
KA2	35	9	-
KA3	31	6	-
KA4	15	5	-
Other	27	5	2
Total	133	30	3

The following chart reveals success rate by IST structural segments. Figures in or next to the column indicate number of retained for negotiation or failed projects. Graphics expose most popular IST RTD areas within Lithuanian research community. To some extent it also reveals existing competence areas of information society technologies in Lithuania. So majority of proposals were targeted to technology applications in work and commerce, and multimedia content and tools. Less attention received Key Action 4 but it expose the highest success rate of proposals, what is congruent to general IST statistics. Basic technologies and infrastructure research (KA4) is high priority of IST program, to this field one third part of the program budget is committed. 66 Lithuanian participants such as universities, research centers, SME, public sector institutions were registered in the IST program. There were 150 Lithuanian participations in total. 16 % of all submissions represent 2 or more Lithuanian partners (22 proposals). Universities are the most active participants in IST program - 79 cases. Others participated as follows: SME - 22 cases, NGO's and other public organizations - 21, state owned enterprises and organizations - 16, research institutes and centers - 13, large enterprises - 6 (for percentage see the pie chart). During 1999-2002 following higher education institutions (in order of participations) took part in IST program: Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Vilnius University (VU), Vytautas Magnus University (VDU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), Kaunas University of Medicine (KMU), Lithuanian Law University (LTU), Klaipeda University (KU), Siauliai University (SU), Lithuanian University of Agriculture (LZUU), International School of Management (TAVM). The Chart presents success rate of proposals by universities. As expected Institute of Mathematics and Informatics (MII) is the leader in the group of research institutes (centers). Other IST program participants were: Lithuanian Institute of Banking, Insurance and Finances (LBDFI), Institute of Semiconductors Physics (PFI), Social policy group (SPG). Participation and success figures are presented in the graphic: Business enterprises make 18 % of all participations and just 4 % out of them count on large enterprises. Low participation figures supports the statement that SMEs investment in research and development activities is low. To some extent it is decided by the size of Lithuanian SMEs, majority would be considered "micro" businesses comparing to the European scale. Also there is comparatively small number of large enterprises (state owned or private capital) that survived slow-downs of economy in the last decade. Nevertheless in 2001-2002 major actors of Lithuanian telecommunication market appeared in IST program. Vilnius Venta Semiconductors Ltd. takes part in implementation of MAGSYS project that will start in July, 2002.

State owned organizations and enterprises are involved in execution of IST of projects as well: The State Enterprise "Lietuvos pastas" (Lithuania Post), State Land Cadastre and Register, State Food and Veterinary Service, Klaipeda State Seaport.

13 % of all Lithuanian proposals count on NGO's and non-profit sector. It is mainly professional associations or public agencies such as Association INFOBALT, Lithuanian Computer Society, Lithuanian Librarian's Association, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, Lithuanian Women Society, Lithuanian Innovation Center, Academy of Cultural Heritage, etc.

Figures reveal variety of Lithuanian participants although geographically they are concentrated in major cities, along to network of Lithuanian higher education and research institutions. IST proposals submitted organizations from Vilnius and Kaunas with just 4 exceptions - Klaipeda, Siauliai, Zarasai and Utena. Geography of successful projects is even more limited - Kaunas, Vilnius, Klaipeda.

Geographical distribution is continued by review of proposal coordinating countries. Although 4 proposals by Lithuanian coordinator were submitted, none of them was retained for negotiation. Lithuanian partners participate in proposals coordinated by following countries (in the order of frequency): Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Romania.

In IST program relatively small number of proposals is coordinated by NAS, it is well illustrated by Lithuanian participations picture. Lithuanian partners take part in the only successful project with Polish coordinator. Lithuanian participations analysis shows just about 10 attempts (out of 132) of coordination by NAS.

Summary