With October drawing to a close, this edition of the newsletter reflects on highlights from the recent EU-Singapore Matchmaking event and insights from the first Clusters meet Regions workshop in Chișinău, Moldova, which focused on the role of clusters in international value chains. We also bring you updates on the new call for EUROCLUSTERS and other important initiatives.
Exciting news for clusters and innovation leaders: the European Commission has launched a new Euroclusters call for proposals! With a budget of €42 million, this call supports the EU's New Industrial Strategy, Green Deal Industrial Plan and SME Strategy, aiming to drive innovation, accelerate the digital and green transitions, and reinforce strategic autonomy across the EU.
This initiative strengthens Europe's industrial resilience and competitiveness, aligned with the EU's broader economic security strategy. Up to 16 projects will be funded, with at least 8 focusing on critical raw materials and net-zero technologies.
The Clusters Meet Regions event held on 10-11 October 2024 in Chișinău, Moldova, brought together over 200 participants to foster international collaboration and strengthen interregional value chains. The event focused on how clusters can drive regional development and cooperation, particularly in the Danube and Black Sea regions. As Dr. Jan Kramer stressed during his presentation: "The potential that you're building with clusters can translate directly into economic competitiveness, and that's, I think, why we're all here."
A standout feature was the matchmaking session with 101 successful bilateral meetings, highlighting the role of clusters and SMEs in building strong partnerships across Europe. The event underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation, setting the stage for future joint initiatives. Discover more about the event here.
Moldova's economy has been highly volatile since its independence, with periods of solid growth disrupted by external shocks such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Agriculture remains dominant in employment, accounting for a fifth of total employment. Regardless, the ICT sector has seen substantial employment growth over the past four years, highlighting the rise of Moldova’s digital landscape.
Moldova is part of the Danube region, which enhances its connectivity and potential for economic cooperation with neighbouring countries in the Danube basin. This macro-region provides easy access to global markets and has shown solid economic growth. In particular, the Mobility-Transport-Automotive ecosystem stands out in terms of employment and GVA. Check out the paper presenting observations on the economic profile, trade flows and the cluster landscape in Moldova and the Danube Region.
On 22-24 October 2024, the EU – Singapore Matchmaking Event brought together an impressive delegation of 15 clusters and 2 SMEs from across Europe for three days of networking, collaboration, and exclusive access to the Singapore International Energy Week.
With over 107 meetings between European and Singaporean counterparts, the event underscored the potential of clusters and SMEs in shaping the future of clean energy, sustainable tech and green finance, and set the stage for new opportunities in market expansion and cross-border partnerships across Southeast Asia and Europe. Explore the event’s presentations, insights and photo album here.
UPCOMING ECCP EVENTS
Join the final Clusters meet Regions event of the year in Charleroi, Belgium, on 27-28 November. Themed as “Driving the Regional Economic Revival in Europe”, the event will showcase the region’s economic transformation, leveraging European and regional funds into sectors such as Life Sciences, Cleantech, Advanced Manufacturing in the context of Charleroi’s shift from an industrial economy to an economy driven by innovation.
Three innovation clusters from Wallonia will contribute to the programme with specialised focus areas: Wagralim – driving technological business and managerial innovation in the food industry; Greenwin – advancing green chemistry, innovative building materials and environmental processes; and Pôle Mecatech – applying engineering sciences in manufacturing. The event aims to share these best practices and inspire other regions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
The ECCP, on behalf of European Commission, is organising the EU – India Matchmaking Event, taking place on 19-21 November 2024 in Bengaluru, India. This event will offer an excellent opportunity for cluster organisations and SMEs from the European Union, non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP/COSME Strand), and India to foster collaboration in key sectors: Biotech, Digital, Green Tech, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Key activities include site visits to leading innovation hubs, a seminar on EU-India cooperation, pitching and matchmaking meetings, and attendance to the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. Late Applications accepted until 8 November 2024, 23:59 (Brussels time).
Register Now: Clusters meet Regions Event in Charleroi
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Join the final Clusters meet Regions event of the year in Charleroi, Belgium, on 27-28 November. Themed as “Driving the Regional Economic Revival in Europe”, the event will showcase the region’s economic transformation, leveraging European and regional funds into sectors such as Life Sciences, Cleantech, Advanced Manufacturing in the context of Charleroi’s shift from an industrial economy to an economy driven by innovation.
Three innovation clusters from Wallonia will contribute to the programme with specialised focus areas: Wagralim – driving technological business and managerial innovation in the food industry; Greenwin – advancing green chemistry, innovative building materials and environmental processes; and Pôle Mecatech – applying engineering sciences in manufacturing. The event aims to share these best practices and inspire other regions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Last Call: the EU-India Matchmaking Event in Bengaluru
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The ECCP, on behalf of European Commission, is organising the EU – India Matchmaking Event, taking place on 19-21 November 2024 in Bengaluru, India. This event will offer an excellent opportunity for cluster organisations and SMEs from the European Union, non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP/COSME Strand), and India to foster collaboration in key sectors: Biotech, Digital, Green Tech, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Key activities include site visits to leading innovation hubs, a seminar on EU-India cooperation, pitching and matchmaking meetings, and attendance to the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. Late Applications accepted until 8 November 2024, 23:59 (Brussels time).
EU Clusters Talks provide a space for exchanging ideas and participating in debates about issues significant to the EU cluster and wider industrial community. Sign up for upcoming talks, taking place between 8:30 - 9:45 every second Wednesday:
The ECCP Trend Universeis an AI-based tool designed to help you forecast future trends and discover innovations within ecosystems pertinent to you and your cluster members.
The rapid increase in satellite launches has brought new challenges in space travel. The Vienna-based company GATE Space offers a solution for this: their compact 'GATE Thruster,' a globally unique engine, can continuously adjust the thrust. This not only enables significantly faster positioning of satellites but also more flexible and precise maneuvers, such as avoiding space debris.
Discover daily innovation updates such as this on the innovation compass in the Trend Universe.
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!
To be heldon 13-14 November in Warsaw, Poland, co-organised by the European Commission and Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the upcoming EU-Ukraine Investment Conference will take place as part of the 4th ReBuild Ukraine International Exhibition. The event will focus on mobilising private investment and collaborations to support the recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation of Ukraine. Register now!
The EU Deforestation Regulation aims to ensure that European customers do not contribute to deforestation by preventing the import of products, including rubber and coffee, from deforestation regions. The European Commission has announced that it will support companies complying with the new regulations by providing guidance, delaying the law’s applicability to SMEs, and enhancing European cooperation.
Read more about how the Commission will support SMEs in the fight against deforestation here.
Is your organisation ready to make a meaningful impact in China? The EU SME Centre in China is seeking a business support and/or trade promotion organisation to continue its mission of empowering European businesses in this vital market. With Phase V now open, the selected organisation will play a pivotal role in offering essential services—from market insights and risk management to guidance on acquisitions and investments—to help EU SMEs thrive and navigate the challenges of the Chinese market. Learn more and apply by 15 January 2025.
Under the Net-Zero Industry Act Regulation (EU) 2024/1735, net-zero technology manufacturing projects can apply to have their projects recognised as net-zero strategic projects. Strategic projects are those which enhance resilience, strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the net-zero industry. Read more about the application process here.
Leading business support organisations from outside of the EU and Single Market Programme are invited to become International Network Partners for the Enterprise Europe Network. The EEN helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in your country or region connect with businesses from across the EU and facilitates their access to the Single Market and its 450 million consumers. Read more.
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.