Žinių ekonomikos forumas | Knowledge economy forum

What Žinių ekonomikos forumas | Knowledge economy forum does

Žinių ekonomikos forumas (Knowledge Economy Forum / ŽEF) is a Vilnius-based professional non-governmental organization operating as a think tank and cross-sector convening platform for Lithuanian innovation and education policy. Founded as an association in 2004 and active for over 20 years, ŽEF unites more than 50 member organizations spanning business, science, and civil society, with a board that draws senior leadership from Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, Ekspla, the Lithuanian Laser Association, LithuaniaBIO, and the BMI Executive Institute. Its core functional offering is policy advisory and public-discourse facilitation: ŽEF conducts public policy analyses, submits proposals to Lithuanian ministries and parliament on education law and national progress plans, and organizes the NEATIDĖLIOTI discussion forum broadcast through LRT media.

ŽEF's product portfolio is a set of programs, events, and educational resources rather than a unified technology platform. Flagship offerings include the Most Innovative Lithuanian Teacher Awards (2016–present, supported by the Prime Minister), the Baltic MIL Summit biennial conference with DW Akademie, TEAM STEAM camps and mentorship for girls, the MILbox media and information literacy toolbox, the sySTEAM methodology, D-TIPS design-thinking materials, InternACTional virtual exchange courses, the Knowledge Economy Awards (2004–2017, co-organized with the President of Lithuania), and the Jonvabaliai transparency initiative co-founded with Investors Forum and Transparency International Lithuania. Distribution is direct: policy proposals go to ministries and parliament; educational products are delivered through schools and teachers; events convene members and the public.

The business model is membership-fee subscription supplemented by project-based grant funding. Annual membership tiers range from €100 (individuals) to €3,000 (largest for-profit companies), with a one-time joining fee of 50% of the annual rate. There are no equity funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no disclosed revenue figures; the organization is governed by a Council chaired by Dr. Arvydas Lubys and led operationally by Executive Director Neda Žutautaitė, with approximately 9 staff.

Name

Žinių ekonomikos forumas | Knowledge economy forum

Legal name

Asociacija "Žinių ekonomikos forumas"

Website

https://zef.lt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Žinių ekonomikos forumas is a Vilnius-based Lithuanian NGO and think tank that convenes more than 50 business, academic, and civil-society members to advise government on education and innovation policy and to deliver teacher awards, STEAM programs, and media-literacy educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Advocacy and Think Tank Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Sector Coordination, Clusters & Working Groups (EDADALAE), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Policy advocacy services
• Education reform consulting
• Innovation ecosystem research
• Membership association services
• STEAM education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vilnius

HQ country

Lithuania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: ŽEF operates primarily on membership fee revenue. Members include businesses, NGOs, public institutions, and individuals. Fee tiers are based on organization type (individual, nonprofit, for-profit) and for-profit revenue scale. A one-time joining fee of 50% of the annual membership rate also applies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Žinių ekonomikos forumas (Knowledge Economy Forum) is a Lithuanian professional non-governmental association that operates as a think tank and debate platform uniting over 50 member organizations from business, science, and civil society. The organization delivers policy analyses, public policy proposals, educational programs (STEAM camps, media literacy curricula, teacher training), discussion forums, and public consultations to advance Lithuania's knowledge economy in education, innovation, public governance, and civic engagement. Members subscribe annually, and the association runs a portfolio of publicly accessible educational toolboxes, e-learning platforms, and a transparency initiative.

Product overview

Žinių ekonomikos forumas (Knowledge Economy Forum / ŽEF) is a professional non-governmental organization in Vilnius, Lithuania, acting as a think-tank and debate platform focused on education, innovation, technology assessment, public governance, and entrepreneurship. ŽEF does not offer a unified software product but rather runs a portfolio of programs, tools, awards, and events aimed at advancing Lithuania's knowledge economy. Key offerings include: the Most Innovative Lithuanian Teacher Awards (recognition initiative, 2016–present); the NEATIDĖLIOTI discussion forum (annual dialogue platform); TEAM STEAM (gender-equity in STEAM initiative with camps and mentorship); and MILbox (Media and Information Literacy Toolbox, 2022–2024). Complementing these are educational resource products — Baltic MIL Bites, Media and Information Literacy Games, sySTEAM methodology, D-TIPS, and InternACTional — as well as past initiatives such as the Knowledge Economy Awards (2004–2017), the ECO2 e-learning platform, and the co-founded Jonvabaliai transparency initiative. On the policy and public governance side, ŽEF conducts technology assessments, publishes policy briefs for parliamentarians, and submits proposals to national government on education and innovation strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ŽEF Membership Annual paid membership subscription for businesses, NGOs, universities, public institutions, and individuals aligned with ŽEF's mission, granting access to expert discussions, networking, potential business partners, and influence on Lithuanian education and innovation policy.
• Educational Sessions (Edukaciniai užsiėmimai) Educational sessions delivered by ŽEF experts to schools, teachers, and stakeholders, covering topics such as media literacy, STEAM education, innovation, and civic engagement.
• Presentations and Public Speaking (Pranešimai) Expert presentations delivered by ŽEF representatives at conferences, public discussions, and member events on education policy, innovation, technology assessment, and public governance.
• Co-creation Workshops (Bendrakūros dirbtuvės) Structured co-creation workshops facilitated by ŽEF bringing together business, science, government, and civil society participants to develop shared recommendations and policy outputs.
• Public Policy Analyses (Viešosios politikos analizės) Public policy analyses, evaluations, and feasibility studies produced by ŽEF for Lithuanian policymakers and government institutions, providing evidence-based recommendations on education, innovation, and governance.
• MILbox – Media and Information Literacy Toolbox A publicly available toolbox for primary school teachers covering digital education engagement and media and information literacy, including pedagogical material, data privacy guidance, effective communication tools, and ready syllabi aligned to national curriculum.
• Baltic MIL Bites

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 50 member organizations representing business, science, and civil society united under one platform
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DW AkademiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in media and information literacy (MIL) education. Projects include Baltic MIL Bites (teaching materials), MILbox (toolbox for teachers), Baltic MIL Summit (biennial international conference), and MIL games. KEF promotes MIL in Lithuania through newsletters, teacher training, events, and teaching material.
• British Council Lithuania (Britų Taryba)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of TEAM STEAM camp in Klaipėda, a 4-day camp for 8th-10th grade girls promoting STEAM careers. The camp brought together local STEAM ecosystem including universities, businesses, and NGOs.
• Fizinių ir technologijos mokslų centras (FTMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center partner in STEAM initiatives including TEAM STEAM mentorship programs. FTMC scientists and researchers serve as mentors for young women in STEAM.
• VILNIUS TECHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in STEAM education initiatives and TEAM STEAM programs. Also partner through Lithuanian Maritime Academy for regional STEAM initiatives.
• Vilnius University (VU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing university partner. KEF advises VU on reforms and collaborates on science-business initiatives. VU Gyvybės mokslų centras director (Dr. Arvydas Lubys) serves as ŽEF Board Chair.
• Saulėtekio slėnio mokslo ir technologijų parkas (Saulėtekis Valley Science and Technology Park)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in STEAM initiatives including the STREAM IT international project and TEAM STEAM mentorship program. Operates within the Saulėtekis innovation district.
• Klaipėdos universitetas (KU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university partner in TEAM STEAM initiatives. Specializes in maritime sciences and technologies; part of EU-CONEXUS European university network. Collaborates on STEAM ecosystem development in Klaipėda region.
• Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for innovation policy. KTU Strategic Partnerships Vice-Rector (Prof. Dr. Edita Gimžauskienė) serves as ŽEF Board member and Innovation Committee Chair.
• EksplaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaser technology company partner. CEO Kęstutis Jasiūnas serves on ŽEF Board. Contributes to innovation policy discussions and was also elected to the Higher Education Council.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and SportscoreOthersKey government partner for education reform and innovation policy. ŽEF submits policy proposals, participates in national strategy development, and advises on teacher education reform.
• Investors ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of the 'Jonvabaliai' (Fireflies) transparency initiative for ES funds, alongside Transparency International Lithuania, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian Confederation of Employers, and others.
• Lithuanian Confederation of EmployersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial partner in industrial doctoralate development and innovation policy. Joint signatory to positions on higher education governance reform.
• Lithuanian School Headmaster AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for school improvement initiatives and education reform. Part of KEF's excellent regional cooperation network with school authorities.
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in innovation and education initiatives. KEF has relationships with VGTU as one of the major universities it advises on reforms.
• Mykolas Romeris University (MRU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in education and innovation policy. KEF collaborates with MRU as part of its network advising Lithuanian universities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• European Policy Centre (EPC): Brussels-based independent think tank delivering policy analysis and convening stakeholders across EU policy areas. Comparable in function (think-tank convening with government-facing policy work) but operates at substantially larger scale and broader European scope than ŽEF.

Direct peers

• LithuaniaBIO: Lithuanian biotechnology industry association whose President sits on ŽEF's board. A directly comparable industry-advocacy association operating in Lithuania with similar membership-based, policy-influencing activities in the high-tech/innovation space.
• Investors Forum (Lithuania): Lithuanian membership-based NGO that unites investors, businesses, and policy stakeholders to advocate for capital markets and investment policy. Highly comparable to ŽEF in mission (policy advocacy), structure (member-funded NGO), and Lithuanian geography; ŽEF is in fact a co-founder of its 'Jonvabaliai' transparency initiative.
• Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI): Independent Vilnius-based think tank focused on economic policy, education, and regulatory reform. Comparable in being a Lithuanian policy think tank producing analyses and reform recommendations for government, though LFMI tilts toward economic-liberal policy while ŽEF focuses on education and innovation.
• Transparency International Lithuania: Lithuanian chapter of Transparency International and co-founder with ŽEF of the 'Jonvabaliai' EU-fund transparency initiative. A directly comparable small-to-mid size Lithuanian advocacy NGO working on policy reform, with overlapping governance and accountability topics.
• Lithuanian Confederation of Employers (LPK): National employer/industry association representing Lithuanian businesses in social-dialogue and policy advocacy. A documented social partner of ŽEF on higher-education reform and industrial doctoralates, and structurally analogous as a Lithuanian advocacy association convening business voices.

Others

• DW Akademie: Germany's international media-development organization and ŽEF's long-term strategic partner on Baltic MIL programs. Comparable as an enabling/ecosystem partner driving media-literacy curricula and summits, rather than a direct competitor.
• British Council Lithuania: UK cultural and educational organization that co-organizes the TEAM STEAM camp with ŽEF. An ecosystem partner comparable in advancing education and international cooperation initiatives in Lithuania, rather than a competitor.

Regional players

• Eesti Koostöö Kogu (Estonian Cooperation Assembly): Estonian civic-assembly think tank that convenes policymakers, researchers, and business leaders to formulate long-term development strategies. Closely mirrors ŽEF's NEATIDĖLIOTI-style convening model in a neighboring Baltic country with similar policy scope.
• BICEPS (Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies): Riga-based think tank producing economic-policy research with Baltic-regional reach. Comparable as a small, Baltic-focused policy think tank publishing evidence-based analyses for government and engaging EU-level stakeholders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ziniu-ekonomikos-forumas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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