Coordinating Beneficiary

Nature Research Centre (NRC) was established in 2009 by merging three institutes: Botany, Ecology and Geology & Geography. Research and experimental development at the NRC cover a wide range of topics relating also to environmental quality status, habitats functioning, species under global climate change and anthropogenic impact. NRC contributes to the network of marine and freshwater protected areas in Lithuania as well as involved in creating and managing of protected areas at the international level. It provides technical, administrative and scientific support to managers. NRC contributes to implementing Lithuania's International commitments regarding marine, coastal and freshwater biodiversity.

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan is a research and development unit, which also conducts application activities related to nature and environment protection, management of resources, especially algae. The task of the partners from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (AMU) will be to evaluate the life cycles of freshwater macroalgae, the harvesting of macroalgae using a constructed prototype, demonstration of project results and their dissemination in Poland.

LTD Baltic Environment (BE) provides professional advisory services in the areas of environmental protection, management and administration. BE also performs measurements of environmental pollution, sound, vibration, microclimate and others. BE focuses on innovations, new technologies, research and development, has a cooperation agreement with Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. BE experts have experience in implementing and managing international and national environmental projects.

Institute of Nature Conservation (INC) Polish Academy of Sciences carries out research in the fields of ecology, conservation biology, and geology. The main task of the INC is to create the scientific basis for modern nature conservation and environmental protection. There are 63 researchers and specialists employed in the Institute. The Institute is authorised to grant doctorates in the biological sciences. The Institute is composed of five Scientific Departments, and other units. In the LIFE project the Department of Freshwater Biology will be included.

Nature Heritage Fund (NHF) - a non-profit, non-governmental environmental organisation was established in 2001 with an aim to represent environmental interests, raise environmental awareness, assist in po licymaking as well as implement landscape and biodiversity conservation measures. Nature Heritage Fund is active in all Lithuania focusing on strengthening protected areas as core areas for sustainable development in the country. Organisation works in close cooperation with administrations of protected areas, municipalities, local communities as well as other environmental non-governmental organisations active in the country and abroad.

SPILA, UAB from its beginning is specializing in algae based applications for human food, functional food, animal feed and fodder. SPILA aims to find formulate, innovative new types of algae based products which have high nutritional value, are health related as well as health related properties. Applications are mainly for human use and animal nutrition. Company is always searching for new innovations therefore it has two national and one international PCT patent application for their algae based products.