Photonics Frontiers Workshop to Strengthen European Laser Ecosystems
You are warmly invited to join the LASER-PRO community in Vilnius for the international workshop Photonics Frontiers – Building Stronger Ecosystems Together. The event will connect experts, innovators, and policy makers from Lithuania, Czechia, and Ukraine to explore how collaboration in photonics can accelerate innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Europe.
The workshop will bring together representatives from science, business, and innovation to discuss how laser and photonics ecosystems can drive stronger cross-border collaboration and technological progress.
The event is organised under the LASER-PRO project – Excellent Laser Technologies for the Sustainable Prosperity of Europe, funded by Horizon Europe’s Excellence Hubs initiative. It continues the mission launched at the LASER-PRO kick-off in Dolní Břežany: to build a joint innovation ecosystem linking scientific excellence with industrial application.
Connecting Science and Industry
Participants will gain insights into the laser and photonics ecosystems of each participating country, exchange best practices, and discuss how to bridge research excellence with industrial innovation. The programme includes presentations on Horizon Europe opportunities, the LASER-PRO Open Call for Application Experiments, and networking sessions designed to foster new partnerships.
Preliminary Programme
08:30 – Registration
09:00 – Opening Session
09:20 – LASER-PRO: Linking Science and Industry to Shape Europe’s High-Tech Future
09:40 – From Talent to Technology: How Lithuania Nurtures Innovation-Driven Growth
09:55 – Photonics as a National Priority
10:10 – Lithuania’s Laser Ecosystem: Growth, Innovation, and Global Reach
10:30 – Coffee Break
11:00 – Success Stories: Lithuanian Laser Champions
12:00 – Strength through Science: Ukrainian Contributions to Photonics
12:30 – Lunch Break
13:30 – Czech Laser and Photonics Ecosystem: Insights and Opportunities
14:00 – Panel Discussion: Building and Promoting a Competitive Laser Ecosystem
15:00 – Coffee Break
15:30 – LASER-PRO Open Call Presentation
15:40 – Empowering Research and Innovation through Horizon Europe
16:00 – Innovation Showcase: Pitches by Companies and Research Teams
17:00 – Summary & Closing Remarks
17:05 – Networking Coffee & Informal Discussions
A highlight of the day will be the Innovation Showcase, providing a platform for companies and research teams to present their technologies, share experiences, and explore new collaborations in advanced laser and photonics applications.
Please check this page regularly for programme updates and speaker announcements.
Photonics Ecosystems in Focus
- Lithuania – a European leader in laser technologies, known for its concentration of high-tech companies, research-driven innovation, and strong export performance.
- Czechia (Central Bohemian Region) – a vibrant photonics and advanced manufacturing ecosystem focused on high-power laser systems, additive technologies, precision engineering, and industrial applications.
- Ukraine – a country with a long scientific tradition in optics and photonics, actively strengthening its innovation capacity and integration into the European research landscape.
Towards a Shared Vision
The workshop will provide a platform to connect people, ideas, and opportunities – a space to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation between the three partner countries. By linking ecosystems and creating synergies across regions, LASER-PRO and its partners aim to shape the future of European photonics.
Together, we are building stronger laser-photonics ecosystems for Europe’s sustainable and competitive future.
