Partners and networks
The European Cluster Alliance is an open platform that was established to maintain a permanent policy dialogue at EU level among national and regional public authorities responsible for developing cluster policies and managing cluster programmes in their countries. National cluster association is a member of ECA. The policy dialogue aims at raising the level of excellence and efficiency of cluster policies in Europe which will result in the creation of more competitive world-class clusters in Europe, as recently proposed by the Commission Communication on clusters. The European Cluster Alliance was founded in September 2006 by the partners involved in 4 cluster policy projects funded under the PRO INNO Europe® initiative of the European Commission. It has been welcomed by the Competitiveness Council as in important European initiative to foster cluster cooperation.
European Cluster Collaboration Platform
This platform provides online quality information and networking support for clusters (organisations and members) aiming to improve their performance and increase their competitiveness through the stimulation of trans-national and international cooperation. This brand new online portal rich in features and information has been developed aiming to build communication bridges between cluster players from the same or a different sector. The ultimate goal is to facilitate cluster cooperation, both between cluster organisations, as well as between cluster members (i.e. companies, R&D institutions, other players).
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform is embedded within the European Cluster Excellence Initiative and financed by the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, since it is an instrument provided by DG Enterprise & Industry to enable cluster organisations to actively play a role on the international cluster arena. This can be achieved either through a professional presentation of their activities/members, through a dynamic interaction in virtual or personal dialogue with peers in communities or through accessing structured cluster information and using it to become better. “Striving for excellence” represents the mindset of those cluster people who intend to bring their clusters to an excellent level of performance. Some of them are at the beginning of this process, some of them already advanced, but it is this shared spirit that makes their getting together on/through the platform that creates a win-win situation.
The European Cluster Observatory is an online platform that provides a single access point to information and analysis of clusters and cluster policy in Europe. Originally launched in 2007, the Observatory is now offering a range of new services. It provides data and analysis on clusters and competitiveness, a cluster library, and a classroom for cluster education.
The European Cluster Observatory also produces analysis and reports on regional competitiveness conditions, transnational cluster networks, clusters in emerging industries, and studies on better practices in cluster organisations.
The Observatory is aimed at three main target groups:
- policy makers and government officials at the European, national, regional and local levels;
- cluster management staff;
- academics and researchers.
TCI is the leading global network for practitioners, policy makers, researchers and business leaders working towards improving competitiveness in regions and clusters. TCI is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, with a global scope, open to members from all countries throughout the private, public and voluntary sector. Our member base currently consists of 2.500 leading practitioners from 100 countries. TCI is financed through annual membership fees.
EVENTS
28.5.2012 - 1.6.2012,
Karlstad University
Cluster course - cluster management towards cluster excellence
This course will provide an in-depth perspective in relation to cluster management and developing cluster excellence. This is targeted and designed…
18.4.2012,
Palais Niederösterreich Vienna - Austria
Europan Cluster Conference 2012
The four-in-one event for European Cluster Managers and Policy Makers: Trends and learnings in Cluster Policies and Cluster Initiatives All…
16.4.2012 - 18.4.2012,
Linz/Upper Austria
Cluster Academy 2012
The Cluster Academy shows how successful clusters work, using Clusterland Upper Austria Ltd. as an example and gives an input, how these…
