Main Objectives
- To support cluster managers in providing the effective support to their SMEs through professional services
- To support clusters of the Danube region to strengthen their role in the regional development
Planned Activities
- Creation of the supporting documents for PA8 linked to the cluster initiatives and further development of the policy framework for clusters
- Mapping activities aiming to collect the data on the state of the art of the clusters within the Danube region through benchmarking
- Support to the strengthening of the cluster managers capacities (training sessions, workshops etc.)
Overall, the set action aims to improve the framework conditions to enhance the collaboration between cluster initiatives and regional innovation strategies. Thereby, the WG Cluster and Regional Development deepens the understanding on the interplay between clusters and regional innovation strategies. Attention shall be given to key success factors of the interplay between them, their respective tasks and responsibilities, and ways to facilitate this kind of cooperation in the post-2020 era.
Derived from this action, the following target was formulated:
Target 3: Fostering the interplay between cluster initiatives and regional developers through at least one event until Dec 2025.
As of now, a funding event between the cluster initiatives and the regional developers was already held before the 2019 survey period, but before the 2020-2022 period. In addition, a cluster cooperation event was held in October 2024 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. Around 25 cluster managers from Romania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and other Danube countries gathered for a training session on cluster management excellence organised by the Working Group. Experienced cluster managers such as Daniel Cosnita and Dr Gerd Meier zu Köcker introduced highly relevant topics such as new cluster services, initiating cooperation with regional developers and setting up a cluster internationalisation strategy. During the event, Dr Gerd Meier zu Köcker handed over 15 Bronze Label certificates on behalf of the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA). This is further evidence that cluster management excellence is increasing in the Danube Region.
The next cluster manager exchange in the Danube Region is scheduled for 1–2 July 2025 in Cluj, Romania.
Furthermore, the capacity of Moldavan cluster managers is developed with dedicated focus on clusters in rural areas. Prevailing topics are how to support SMEs in the field of sustainability and embedding in cross-regional value chains (SusMo-project)
Related Studies
- This study provides a snapshot of the current stage of Cluster Management Excellence in the Danube Region. Moreover it presents ideas and reflections on how to improve such excellence and how to make better use of cluster initiatives: White Paper_Danube Region_FINAL_
- The Ukraine Crisis has a large impact on the Danube Region. These impacts and potentials were analysed with a focus on the significant bioeconomic potential of the Danube Region. Countries of the Danube Region could provide substitute supplies to the loss of imports from Ukraine for several agrifodd products. Read more.
- The Short_Study_Task 1-2_DBP_Dec2022, conducted by Anteja ECG d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia, is focused on the current economic situation of the Danube Region. With a focus on circular bioeconomy and clusters, the study deals with the problems of SMEs and existing support schemes and mechanisms which support value chain development. The analysis is designed to update the recent findings and considered the impact of the Ukraine war as well.
The study provides an overview of the situation of the existing bioeconomy value chains and identifies key bottlenecks for development. Finally, the study concludes that new targeted supports schemes are needed to help SMEs and related clusters to become better embedded in future global Bioeconomy value chain, which gain increasing importance. - Upcoming cluster benchmarking report on state of the art of cluster development in the Danube Region with focus on clusters from Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Slovakia (expected in August 2025)
The activities are coordinated by Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker from RegioClusterAgentur in close cooperation with Daniel Cosnita (Clustero).
