As November draws to a close, this edition of our newsletter delivers insights from the recent EU-India Matchmaking event in Bengaluru, India, and live updates from the Clusters Meet Regions workshop in Charleroi, Belgium. Moreover, discover the latest breakthrough improvements to our website for better user experience and a sneak peek of the exciting events planned for 2025. Let’s dive in!
Nearly 50 participants from 20 EU countries came together online for the 4th Cluster Booster Academy, fostering an engaging and energetic atmosphere to advance their cluster management skills. Expert speaker Krzysztof Mieszkowski from the Warsaw University of Technology guided an insightful exploration of key challenges for clusters, including member attraction, financial sustainability, and international collaboration. These topics sparked vibrant discussions and thought-provoking debates among participants. This interactive session paved the way for dynamic peer learning, setting the tone for the in-person event in Warsaw, Poland, on 3-4 March 2025.
On 19-21 November 2024, the ECCP on behalf of the European Commission, with the Global Business Inroads, the partner of Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), and the Government of Karnataka, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, organised the EU-India Matchmaking Event. This landmark occasion brought together 13 Clusters and 1 SME from 7 EU countries to strengthen EU-India cluster cooperation, identify key areas of common interest, and improve partnerships between industry and academia to boost research, development, and innovation between the EU and India.
The mission started with two days at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, where delegates participated in over 120 bilateral meetings. A key highlight was the meeting with Hon. Mr. Priyank M Kharge, Minister of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, to discuss the future roadmap for EU-Karnataka Cluster Collaboration, followed by a pitching session, allowing delegates to showcase their organisations and identify potential areas for partnership.Read the full article here.
The 18th Clusters Meet Regions workshop, hosted by the ECCP in partnership with IGRETEC, Charleroi Métropole, and EURADA, is currently bringing together over 140 participants from regional development agencies, clusters, and industry stakeholders in Charleroi, Belgium. This edition showcases Charleroi’s remarkable transformation from an industrial hub to an innovation-driven economy, with a focus on life sciences, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing. Highlights include contributions from three leading Walloon innovation clusters—Wagralim, Greenwin, and Pôle Mecatech—sharing best practices in collaborative innovation. Attendees are participating in high-level sessions, discussions, and tours, fostering collaboration and inspiring clusters as growth drivers. Explore live updates from the event!
On 14 November 2024, EISMEA hosted an online info session on the call for proposals "Joint Cluster Initiatives (EUROCLUSTERS) for Europe’s Recovery (SMP-COSME-2024-CLUSTER)". The session provided an overview of the funding opportunity, designed to support collaborative cluster projects, driving innovation and resilience across Europe. Participants gained insights into the key objectives of the call as well as the application process, eligibility criteria, and other details. You can watch the recording of the info session here and download the presentation slides here.
The EUROCLUSTERS call aims to foster cross-sectoral partnerships, increase workforce skills and boost the competitiveness of European SMEs across two strands: one focused on net-zero technologies and critical raw materials, and the other on value chains not included in strand one. Learn more about the call and apply here before 5 February 2025.
Following the success of previous Clusters Meet Regions workshops, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform will coordinate up to 10 more events in 2025. These workshops unite clusters and policymakers to strengthen ecosystems, address supply chain disruptions, and drive green and digital transitions. The Call for Expression of Interest invites clusters, regional agencies, and business networks to apply as hosts, supported by their regional authority. Selected locations will align with regional priorities and address relevant geopolitical challenges. Let’s continue building resilience and collaboration across Europe’s regions!
We’ve made exciting updates to our website to enhance your experience! The Events, News and Funding pages now feature improved navigation and better filtering options, making it easier to find what you need. The Expertise page has also been revamped, offering a more user-friendly layout. On the Expertise page, you’ll now find all published documents, including input papers and the Cluster Panorama, conveniently in one place. These updates aim to provide smoother navigation and an overall better user experience.
UPCOMING ECCP EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE! Join us in Zaragoza for the next Cluster Collaboration Lab (C2Lab), where clusters, policymakers, and industry leaders will come together to co-create solutions, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across borders. This interactive event is a must-attend for those shaping the future of Europe’s clusters.
Mark your calendar! The first Clusters Meet Regions event of 2025 is coming to Eindhoven, the Netherlands—a city renowned as a hub for innovation and technology. On 26-27 March, clusters, policymakers, and stakeholders will convene to explore cutting-edge strategies, foster collaboration, and address the key challenges shaping Europe’s regional and cluster ecosystems.
This event promises dynamic discussions, insightful sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities in one of Europe’s leading innovation hotspots. Stay connected on the ECCP for event updates, detailed agendas, and speaker announcements as we gear up for an exciting 2025!
C2Lab: 19-20 March 2025 in Zaragoza, Spain
+
SAVE THE DATE! Join us in Zaragoza for the next Cluster Collaboration Lab (C2Lab), where clusters, policymakers, and industry leaders will come together to co-create solutions, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across borders. This interactive event is a must-attend for those shaping the future of Europe’s clusters.
Clusters Meet Regions: 26-27 March 2025 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
+
Mark your calendar! The first Clusters Meet Regions event of 2025 is coming to Eindhoven, the Netherlands—a city renowned as a hub for innovation and technology. On 26-27 March, clusters, policymakers, and stakeholders will convene to explore cutting-edge strategies, foster collaboration, and address the key challenges shaping Europe’s regional and cluster ecosystems.
This event promises dynamic discussions, insightful sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities in one of Europe’s leading innovation hotspots. Stay connected on the ECCP for event updates, detailed agendas, and speaker announcements as we gear up for an exciting 2025!
EU Clusters Talks provide a space for exchanging ideas and participating in debates about issues significant to the EU cluster community. Following November’s insightful discussions on leveraging generative AI and Innovation Procurement, sign up now for upcoming talks:
Disinformation and belief in conspiracies have become pervasive issues in today's interconnected world. A team of researchers at MIT investigated whether the spread of conspiratorial beliefs could be curbed using artificial intelligence (AI).
The ECCP Trend Universe can help your organisation’s strategic planning by forecasting future trends and identifying innovations relevant to you and your cluster members within 14 industrial ecosystems. If you haven't already, the Trend Universe is your next tool to:
📈Gain insights into the future to help build strategic competitive advantages
📈 Better understand the impact of future trends on your organisation
📈 Explore trends from 14 different industrial ecosystems
Register to the Trend Universe to discover daily innovation updates, such as this, on the innovation compass.
ECCP DROP-IN SESSIONS
These interactive online sessions provide valuable support to ECCP users, helping them maximise their experience on the platform. Held every Thursday morning, the sessions offer live guidance from the ECCP team on navigating the platform, finding partners, attending events, and more. Don’t miss out on this chance to make the most of the ECCP resources: register now!
On 16 October 2024, the Czech Republic’s 11th Cluster Day took place at Mendel University in Brno, focusing on "Technology Transfer in Practice: The Cluster as a Facilitator of Innovation." The event brought together 70 experts to discuss innovation, collaboration and cluster successes, featuring panel presentations by National Cluster Association (NCA) members and their companies. Organised by the National Cluster Association, CREA Hydro&Energy and Mendel University, the event showcased the role of clusters in driving progress. Read the full article here!
The TechGrow project has launched three tailored digital platforms for the furniture, textile and footwear industries to provide real-time updates on key trends and technological advancements. These user-friendly platforms focus on themes like Circular Economy, Design Trends and Industry 4.0, helping businesses enhance innovation and competitiveness.
Learn more about how TechGrow can empower companies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market landscape.
Triturats la Canya and Retexcycle have unveiled a ground-breaking traceability system for recycled fibres, integrating photoluminescent tracers and digital twin technologies to ensure full supply chain transparency. Supported by EuroBoosTex, an EU-funded Eurocluster project, this solution tackles challenges like verifying recycled material origins and combating greenwashing while promoting textile circularity.
Find more about how this demonstrates a major step in sustainable innovation.
The Galician Automotive and Mobility Cluster has launched the second edition of its Talent Race, an initiative that seeks to attract and connect young talents from universities and vocational training centres with the automotive industrial ecosystem in Galicia. This project offers students the opportunity to participate in a platform where real industry challenges are presented, allowing them to propose innovative solutions and make themselves known in the sector.
The Euroclusters initiatives are offering a range of opportunities in the coming months. Explore what they can give to you or your company in terms of support for internationalisation, training or even coaching/mentoring services. If you’d like to engage, learn and network within the Euroclusters community, then join the LinkedIn community discussion group!
With Ukraine’s integration into the Single Market a key EU priority, supporting collaboration and partnerships between EU and Ukrainian businesses is vital. Establishing deep business relationships is essential to promote regional economic growth and development, bringing together people, companies and cluster organisations.
Learn more about the ECCP’s current actions to support Ukraine and how you can get involved.
