Cluster Development
The term "Cluster" was initially elaborated by Alfred Marshall, the English economist who noted that the companies belonging to the same sector tend to group together in the same geographical territory with goal to optimize their economic activities. He called this phenomenon “industrial districts”. The theory of industrial districts was further developed and nowadays the term is widely accepted and used among those who have been responsible for industrial and regional development.
Today’s economic map of the world is characterized by “clusters” meaning geographic concentrations of interrelated companies and institutions in a particular field. Clusters are a geographic concentration of firms, higher education and research institutions, and other public and private entities that facilitates collaboration on complementary economic activities and partnerships on innovative projects.
Clusters embrace a range of linked industries and other entities significant for keeping competitiveness; they include, for example, suppliers of specialized inputs such as components, machinery, and services, and providers of specialized infrastructure. Clusters also often extend to channels and customers as well as to manufacturers of complementary products and to companies in industries related by skills, technologies, or common inputs. Finally, many clusters include governmental and other institutions—such as universities, standards-setting agencies, think tanks, vocational training providers, and trade associations—that provide specialized training, education, information, research, and technical support. While some of the world’s leading clusters specialize in high-technology industries (e.g. Silicon Valley) clusters are also found in sectors ranging from wine making to automobiles to biotechnology.
Clusters are powerful engines of economic development and drivers of innovation in the European Union. EU's policy tendencies aimed at stimulating the development of competitive agglomeration are determining Member States to steer public measures to support associative forms such as clusters or poles of competitiveness. Clusters provide a fertile business environment for companies, especially SMEs, to collaborate with research institutions, suppliers, customers and competitors located in the same geographical area.
Find below all information items we have been collecting! It is a work in progress area, therefore do not hesitate to contact us at office@wbc-rti.info to promote your cluster development initiatives!
News
-
The Conference (Bucharest, 14-16 May 2019) represents a chance to hear and discuss about recent and future priorities for cluster policies and developments to support an innovative, sustainable industrial...
-
Insight into 10th European Cluster Collaboration Matchmaking, Greece 13-14 September 2017
The 10th European Cluster Collaboration Matchmaking mission in Thessaloniki was organised in the context of the Thessaloniki International Fair in close collaboration with the Centre for Research and ...
-
European Industry Day 2018 Summary Report
The second European Industry Day 2018 gathered almost 1000 participants from across EU and across industrial sectors.
[ Show all News ]
Events
-
European Cluster Conference 2019
Connecting Ecosystems: Bridge. Inspire. Change
-
The meeting is the final meeting of the NOTICE COST action – Network on Technology-Critical Elements: From Environmental Processes to Human Health Threats and includes representatives from 24 European...
-
The conference programme will show the world of innovation between research and industry, understand the current and future impact of RTOs for European citizens and European industry in all five clusters...
[ Show all Events ]
Calls
-
Interreg MED - Third Call for modular projects
The overall objective of the Interreg MED Programme is to promote sustainable growth in the Mediterranean area by fostering innovative concepts and practices (technologies, governance, innovative services...
-
COSME CALL: CO-FINANCING OF CONSORTIA FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF INNOVATION
As faciliators of the dialogue between the industry, research and public bodies, cluster organisations can play an important role in involving their SMEs in the processes of public procurement for innovation...
-
Worth Partnership Project Second Call for Applications
WORTH Partnership Project, an initiative of the European Union to boost the fashion and lifestyle industry within Europe and develop innovative and design-driven products, reopens applications to...
[ Show all Calls ]
Documents
-
WBC-RTI.INFO Newsletters sent in 2018
WBC-RTI.INFohas prepared several newsletter issues in 2018. Thematic articles were drafted while relevant stakeholders contacted and in some cases also interviewed.
-
Keywords such as cluster, cluster policy, cluster initiatives, etc. are currently omnipresent in both the scientific and policy discourse. In times when innovation and competitiveness are seen as the ...
-
Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook 2018
Future economic development and the well-being of citizens in South East Europe (SEE) increasingly depend on greater economic competitiveness. Realising the region’s economic potential requires a holistic...
[ Show all Documents ]
Links
-
BBS ClusNet - BALKAN AND BLACK SEA CLUSTER NETWORK
The Cluster House, as an innovative business development organization for support to cluster –based economic development in the Balkan and Black Sea Region, is an initiator and a coordinator of the Balkan...
-
Serbian Cluster Association (SCAN)
As a national-level Association, SCAN serves as a platform for cooperation among clusters, and support creation of new cluster initiatives and their development. Building a partner network with national...
-
European Observatory for Clusters and Industrial Change
The European Observatory for Clusters and Industrial Change (#EOCIC) builds upon and brings together the work undertaken by the European Cluster Observatory and previous work of the European Service Innovation...
[ Show all Links ]
Projects
-
FORESDA wants to show that it is possible to transform the forest-based industries (FBI) into attractive and sustainable industry sectors.
-
Open Innovation to Raise Entrepreneurship Skills and Public Private Partnership in Danube Region
The Danube region is still very fragmented and presents great disparities in prosperity, jobs opportunities and innovation capacities. ...
-
Innovation and Technology Center for Metal Industry
The focus of this project is to increase innovation potential of the metal industry in the cross-border region, as a contribution to overall SMEs’ competitiveness (metal sector is a part of all industry...
[ Show all Projects ]
