There are few regions or Member States in Europe that do not have a cluster policy. For most of regions/Member States the cluster policy is a constant tool both for the industrial policy strategy and – especially – for the regional and national innovation strategies. Cluster policies in Europe have already a history of more than two decades and „being on the policy agenda“ for such a long time shows that they are not a fashionable, short-term instrument. The overcoming of the challenge of adapting to political changes that are inevitable needs a lot of efforts and belief in the concept, as well as a dedicated commitment. The fact that the cluster policies are of actuality today just as they were for decades clearly demonstrates the importance clusters play in regional innovation industrial development.
What is the motivation behind a partnership’s initiative to work together on developing a set of recommendations? It is because the joint effort to look for key issues that need to be addressed by the policy agendas at different levels helps to identify and prioritise „common denominators“, those themes that are relevant for more than just one region, for more than just one country. It is because it helps the partnership speak with a joint and stronger voice („the power of WE“) about the needs to be addressed by the policy level, especially when it comes to communicate in a broader, European context.
Out of the numerous and intensive thematic discussions carried out by the partners and experts involved in exchanging good practices and experiences over almost 3 years’ time there is a set of recommendations emerging. These reflect the own views of the participants.
It is important to mention here that they are based on a previous INTERREG IVC project “ClusteriX – Cluster cross-linking Innovation” and its set of recommendations developed in 2014. 4 years later, in the process of structuring the CLUSTERIX 2.0 recommendations we also take the time to look back at the needs expressed in the past and evaluate their actuality.
The CLUSTERIX2.0 recommendations will be publicly presented during the Joint Hungarian-Romanian Cluster Conference under the motto “Bridging Countries – Reaching Europe” taking place in Oradea (RO) and Debrecen (HU) on 20-22 November 2018 that will also be the final event supported by the CLUSTERIX2.0 project.
The CLUSTERIX2.0 recommendations address topics related to:
• MONITORING AND EVALUATION – Improvement & Adjustment Processes Need to Reflect the Growing Role Clusters Play in Regional Innovation Systems
• Support for the MOBILITY OF CLUSTER STAKEHOLDERS (CLUSTER MANAGEMENT, CLUSTER POLICY MAKERS/IMPLEMENTORS, MEMBERS OF THE CLUSTER)
• Support of the DEVELOPMENT / IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES FOR CLUSTER MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS
• Further Development and Improvement of the CLUSTER EXCELLENCE Approach
• EU- WIDE PROGRAMME FOR COLLABORATIVE R&D&I PROJECTS Involving Large and Small Companies
• PUBLIC PROCUREMENT FOR INNOVATION
• Making Use of Clusters to Address the TRANSFORMING POWER OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES (Digitalization, Additive Manufacturing, etc.)
Stay tuned for more information and we look forward to the discussions around the CLUSTERIX2.0 recommendations during the Hungarian – Romanian Cluster Conference 2018!
