Since 2005, the MELE implements the supporting programme “Clusters - merging to success” and has financed more than 50 cluster initiatives so far. Besides, it has initiated six export-oriented clusters according to the
top-down principle within the first Croatian export strategy “Croatian Export Offensive” for the period of 2007 to 2010.An affiliation of clusters was also established within the Croatian Chamber of Economy in November 2007, covering the whole country with its activities. At the moment, it has more than 40 members - clusters, companies, R&D and individuals (from the academic community).

Some of the most successful clusters in Croatia are:

1. The Association of Croatian ICT Clusters – cro.ict was founded in Rijeka in 2007 as a bottom-up cluster initiative of six regional clusters with the main purpose to promote Croatia as a possible location for foreign investment in the ICT industry. Now the alliance of Croatian ICT associations is a common spot for seven smaller clusters that are comprised of around 60 companies with around 700 employees.

2. The BIOS - Printing and Publishing Cluster has been initiated in 2004 by four companies within the Business Incubator BIOS in Osijek. It now has 10 members operating in complementary areas of the graphic and web
design industry in the Eastern part of Croatia.

3. The Wood Cluster of Western Croatia (Lika and Gorski kotar) was created in 2002 and gathers different producers oriented on wood processing, economically justified by the presence of natural raw material resources,
a competent and specialised workforce, the participation and development of local suppliers and contractors and a recognisable technical infrastructure. It has initiated start-up projects and stimulated local companies to cooperation.

4. The Boat Building Clusterwas founded in September 2007 as a top-down initiative of the Ministry of Economy and the Croatian Export Offensive. Today, the Cluster has 28 members. Its main activities are: naval architecture and boat design, building and maintenance, and equipment and component installation. Its vision is the creation of synergies between domestic manufacturers of small boats and equipment manufacturers in order to make Croatian small boatbuilding competitive and recognisable.

5. The Automotive Cluster of Croatia (ACH) was established in 2007 as an initiative of the Istrian Development Agency (IDA). It has emerged as a solution for overcoming obstacles and barriers faced by business entities that directly or indirectly affect the automotive sector. The Croatian automotive industry is characterised by  the  increasing globalisation of production. Manufacturers are facing constant downward pressure on production costs and high technological requirements of the world’s carmakers which prevent the entry of new firms and imperil the survival of the existing automotive market.

6.The Northwest Croatian Wood Industry Cluster (Varaždin county) has been founded by the most prominent wood manufacturers of northwest Croatia at the end of 2005. The initiative came from the Croatian Chamber of
Commerce - County Chamber in Varaždin with the goal to develop, improve and promote the wood industry and to make it more competitive. Very close cooperation with all companies and industries included in the value added
chain together with R&D institutions and local and national authorities is the base of the Cluster activities. The Wood Cluster comprises 13 companies (sawmills, carpentry producers, furniture producers) employing 3,000 people, three Regional Chambers of Commerce and the College for Technology and Design in Varaždin.