On 11-14 of August IC partners within Alytus region in Lithuania hosted a camp titled “Europe in Troubled Waters”. Financial crisis, corruption, racism, migration challenges, weak democracy and global warming - these were all hot European political issues addressed and debated properly and with enthusiasm during the IC network international camp for young politicians.

The project Next-door Neighbors is about breaking stereotypes among neighbor countries and learning about their culture and people. Intercultural dialog, more tolerance and cooperation is the background of the coming project.

Business Angel is a public institution that was established in Alytus in 2002. Following the demise of the planned economy, there was a lot of opportunities for, but little experience with, establishing private businesses in Lithuania. Business Angel was founded in order to help people with little theoretical and practical knowledge about private business, to prepare business plans and evaluate their business ideas realistically.

Business Angel was established with the goal of promoting the creation of new businesses in the region with the help of so-called business angels: private investors who finance new and perspective companies. These are wealthy individuals with experience from business and management who are willing to make both financial investments and share their experience and contacts. The creation of a Business Angel Network was based on the idea of the Swedish association "Jobs and Society" which has had success in promoting businesses in Sweden.

“The issue is not how to stop globalisation. The issue is how we use the power of community to combine it with justice…the alternative to globalisation is isolation”.

Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister, 2001

When people wake up in the morning, they find themselves in different conditions: some are secure, healthy, well clothed, others are unhealthy, poor, hungry and with little security. Many communities around the world today are divided socially...

Last week a small town in Lithuania called Alytus had an extraordinary event. Alytus International Innovation Centre (AIIC) was officially opened by its hosts witnessed by a large group of guests. The ribbon of the centre was cut by His Excellency Norwegian Ambassador for Lithuania Mr. Steinar Gil and one of the AIIC directors Alytus Business Angel leader Mr. Vaclovas Gostautas. Mr. Steinar Gil expressed his satisfaction that Norwegian partners play important role in a centre like this located in Lithuania. He was also happy the centre is connected with innovation because it is so important that someone takes care of implementing innovations at smaller places.

A new centre was established in Alytus by a cooperation of Public Institution Baltic Innovation Group, Alytus Business Angel and the Joint Stock Company Youth Distribution Service. The AIIC premises are 350m² and include 5 offices, a conference hall and public social space. The centre is open for other institutions too. The only condition is to be a little bit different and innovative. 16-17th September the AIIC will be officially opened. The second day will hold a seminar about cooperation on youth actions. All Innovation Circle Members are invited!

Many small places experience a problem of young people leaving their hometowns. Young specialists are suggested with better job opportunities and quality of life in capital cities. However, the decision to move often is taken before even discussing potentials of the places those people come from. Living in big cities may not be as attractive as it may sound. Business Angel (BA) in Alytus has launched a brand new project on how to explore rural areas potential and find people to take care of it!

Thursday, the 12th June Alytus has opened a business exhibition for contact exchange. The Mayor congratulated all the guests with participation. The importance of the event is that businesses coming from many different countries and cities can find ways of cooperation, find partners, new markets and possibilities.