In the opening segment of the Danube Cluster Conference "Boosting Innovation Policies with Clusters along the Danube“ on 27th June 2013 in Linz, Austria, Peter Friedrich, State Minister for the Federal Assembly, European and International Affairs from Baden-Württemberg together with Upper Austrian governor Dr. Josef Pühringer and Upper Austrian State Minister of Economy Dr. Michael Strugl officially launched the cooperation initiative DanuClus (Danube Cluster Networks), a networking platform under the umbrella of the Working Group “Clusters of Excellence of PA 8”.

DanuClus aims to link clusters and their stakeholders in the Danube Region, give them visibility and create an environment, where clusters can prepare themselves for the forthcoming funding period 2014–2020.

The Results of the EUSDR working group on Clusters of Excellence within the Steering Group of PA 8 Competitiveness of Enterprises includes:

1. The new Cluster Policy Concepts for the Danube Region.
2. The priorities for cluster policy  projects in the EUSDR.
3. The relevant cluster in the Danube Region.