Clusters have become a focal point of new policy initiatives in recent years in Europe. Mobilising the potential of clusters is now seen as central to regional, innovation and industry policy; at regional, national and EU levels. Clusters – regional groups of interconnected companies and associated institutions in particular industrial fields – are important because they allow companies to be more innovative than they would be in isolation. Thus, an enhanced understanding of cluster dynamics is key to improve regional growth strategies, innovation strategies and to transform industrial policy across Europe.

The CLUSNET project has been a three-year project (2009-2011) working towards three main objectives:
1. Improving the effectiveness of cluster support policies in larger European city-regions
2. Exchanging best practice from cluster cases across the city regions
3. Facilitating trans-national networks between cluster organisations and public officials working with cluster policy across partner cities

This CLUSNET publication provides policy recommendations which constitute the core result of three years of activities of the project (2009-2011).

Source: "CLUSNET Organising Clusters for Innovation", p4