Participation and exchange of slovenian researchers in international collaborations is the most reasonable and effective way of importing new technologies and increasing scientific knowledge to Slovenia. At the same time it can also acts as an opportunity for internationally verified and reviewed postgraduate study of our young researchers and their integration in a broad European/world cultural and scientific community. In order to keep in touch with new and emerging technologies, the participation in design, initial phases, and final construction of the astrophysical experiment is of upmost imporance. It offers high applicative and educational chances for young scientific staff, as well as transfer of succesful technological and educational methods to the undergraduate courses. Application of the lidar system, developed for the calibration of flourescence detector of cosmic rays, as a remote monitoring tool used by the Center for atmospheric research, that is beeing built by our laboratory, is an example of succesful transfer of knowledge to the research of polution migration. Project members are also active in the European lidar network association (EARLINET, 5th framework programme), successfully introducing lidar-system manufacturing to the local industry. We provided access to advanced technology for material characterisation with synchrotron light at synchrotron radiation laboratories (HASYLAB, Hamburg, ESRF, Grenoble, LURE, Orsay) to several Slovene laboratories for material sciences, atomic physics, chemistry, pharmacology and environmental sciences. Using x-ray absorption methods (EXAFS, XANES), we have contributed to the development of technologically important materials such as microporous catalysts, superconducting and ferroelectric ceramics, surfactants, wear resistance coatings, nanomaterials with catalytic properties, and some pharmacological products. Results important for environmental protection and conservation of clutural heritage in Slovenia were also obtained within these research activities. Transfer of knowledge and technological know-how to Slovene laboratories was provided by including several slovenian young researchers in these research projects.