A memorandum of understanding on co-operation in the field of cluster organisation development and cluster policy support within the Danube Region countries has been signed at the 2nd Workshop of the Priority Area 8 “Cluster networking and development prospects in the Danube Region” in Vukovar, Croatia on 13th September 2013. The Association of Business Clusters ABC in Bulgaria, the Affiliation of Croatian Clusters within CEE, The National Cluster Association of the Czech Republic, Clustero – The Romanian Cluster Association, The Cluster House in Serbia and The Union of Slovak Clusters have reached a joint understanding to join forces in

·Inter-cluster cooperation and internationalisation of clusters within the Danube Region;

• The aggregation and exchange of knowledge, data, information and best practices on clusters in the participating countries;
• The boosting of key factors for cluster excellence, such as awareness and capacity building, training, evaluation, innovation and R&D, technology transfer, emerging industry and responses to social challenges;
• The development and strengthening of cluster strategies at the regional, national and EU level through joint projects;
• Active joint participation in the DanuClus (Danube Cluster Networks) initiative.

**Picture**

Assistant Minister of Entrepreneurship and Crafts in Croatia, Mrs Dijana Bezjak and Karl-Heinz Bechtle from the PA 8 Coordinator, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in Baden-Württemberg watch the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by six national cluster associations in September 2013 in Vukovar.