Cluster Days are a well-established and prestigious event that serves as a platform for cluster managers, innovative companies associated within clusters, and representatives of public administration. This important conference is organised annually by the National Cluster Association in cooperation with regional partners.

 

Its main objective is to support the development of the cluster environment, share good practices, and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors. The conference programme is designed to inspire participants and provide concrete examples of good practice.

 

Participants—particularly cluster managers and public authorities—are introduced to successful projects implemented by cluster organisations and their member companies through presentations and workshops. The conference also offers space for informal networking, exchange of experience, and the creation of new partnerships between the business and public sectors.

 

The Cluster Day in the Pilsen Region took place on 22 October 2025 in the inspiring setting of TechTower Plzeň.

The event also featured the Technology Village, which showcased interactive demonstrations allowing visitors to experience selected technologies first-hand. Experts from participating companies were available on site to answer questions, explain how new technologies work, and present their practical applications in everyday life as well as in industrial practice.

 

Information from previous editions of Cluster Days can be viewed HERE.

 

Regular online meetings of National Cluster Association members and internal networking: a space for collaboration and knowledge sharing

 

These meetings primarily serve to create synergies among individual cluster members. Through regular discussions and exchange of views, participants have the opportunity to discover new collaboration opportunities, share experiences, and inspire one another. An important aspect of these meetings is the openness to sharing not only positive examples and success stories, but also less successful experiences, which can provide valuable lessons for others.

 

Over the past year, part of the programme has been dedicated to regular presentations by one of the member companies. This segment allows organisations to introduce their services, products, or innovative projects to other members. In this way, cluster members can not only identify potential business partners or customers, but also inspire others with their ideas and solutions. Company presentations also help participants gain deeper insight into the activities of other cluster members and strengthen the sense of belonging and community.

 

Regular online cluster meetings are therefore an excellent example of how sharing knowledge and experience can support business development and innovation within a connected community.

The Cluster Awards, presented by the National Cluster Association (NCA), are prestigious honours recognising innovation, collaboration, and excellence in the cluster field. They are awarded to organisations that effectively connect businesses, research institutions, and public authorities, support the development of new technologies, and strengthen competitiveness. International promotion and partnership building are also key evaluation criteria. These awards open new opportunities, enhance prestige, and inspire other organisations to further develop their activities.

 

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2025

 

Klastr MECHATRONIKA – for its long-term contribution to the development of the cluster environment in the Czech Republic.

 

As a co-organiser of the Cluster Day in the Pilsen Region and the Technology Village, Klastr MECHATRONIKA has demonstrated exceptional integration with the city and the Pilsen Region. Through innovation and collaboration, the cluster has consistently supported the growth of its members over the long term.

 

 

Note: The Cluster Day usually takes place at the end of the year; therefore, we have decided to award the Golden Cluster always for the given year, rather than retrospectively.

 

All awards from this year and previous editions can be found HERE.

Member Achievements

Czech Aerospace Cluster Wins the Entrepreneurial Project of the Year 2025!

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), together with the Business and Innovation Agency (API), has honoured the best Czech entrepreneurs in the Entrepreneurial Project of the Year 2025 competition.

 

Nanoprogress significantly advances Czech nanotechnologies in Europe

How to strengthen excellent research in the Czech nanotechnology industry, continuously support members, consolidate a network of European partners by creating a sustainable European ecosystem with its own legal structure, establish the first spin-off originating from a cluster organisation, and much more.

 

How to popularise membrane processes?

Promotion and popularisation of membrane processes, education of both the general public and professionals, and the publication of expert papers and studies — all of this is explored in an article by our member, the Czech Membrane Platform.

The National Cluster Association (NCA) offers an opportunity that enables employees of member companies to receive free training focused on skills development. Through the projects Inovujme vzděláním 2 – Call 40 and Inovujme vzděláním DIGI, companies do not need to worry about the financial costs associated with training, while employees gain access to high-quality, top-level programmes. This opportunity is fully funded by the project resources, allowing companies to focus on growth and innovation without additional financial burden.

 

The Inovujme vzděláním 2 – Call 40 project focuses on a wide range of training needs, from specialised expertise and managerial skills to the development of soft skills. Employees can therefore participate in training programmes that have a direct impact on their professional development while also contributing to the competitiveness of companies. A key aspect of this initiative is that all training is provided entirely free of charge, which represents a significant advantage, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Similarly, the Inovujme vzděláním DIGI project focuses on current challenges related to digitalisation and technological change. The training programmes offered within this framework cover areas such as data management, cybersecurity, automation, and digital transformation. Here, too, strong emphasis is placed on ensuring that training is accessible to all without requiring any financial investment from companies. As a result, employees can acquire new skills free of charge, which not only enhances their work performance but also enables companies to respond more effectively to current technological trends.

 

 

The NCA team offers interested organisations paid consultancy services, including project management support, assistance with obtaining the Cluster Management Excellence Label, consultations on selected funding programmes, and the preparation of various analyses (with costs eligible to be covered as part of your project’s eligible expenses).

 

Are you considering applying for a Cluster Management Excellence Label? Do you lack internal capacity for project management, or do you need support with preparing analyses within your projects? How could the NCA team support you?

The National Cluster Association (NCA) is a founding member of the European Clusters Alliance (ECA), which brings together 22 national cluster associations representing more than 900 cluster organisations across Europe. The ECA provides up-to-date information on European policies and calls, actively contributes to policy consultations, and initiates the creation of project consortia, making it a key voice of the European cluster community.

The National Cluster Association (NCA) is a founding member of the European Clusters Excellence Labelling Structure (EUCLES), which has taken over the Cluster Management Excellence process and awards the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Cluster Excellence Labels. In January 2025, Jiří Herinek, President of the NCA, was elected to the EUCLES Board, where he currently serves as Vice-President.

Another important activity of the National Cluster Association (NCA) is its cooperation with the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), where it contributes to the organisation of key events such as Clusters Meet Regions and European Cluster Conferences. The NCA is also part of the ECCP marketing team, which enables it to access first-hand information on European cluster activities and actively promote Czech cluster organisations at the European level.

 

For its members, the NCA translates summaries of EU Clusters Talks, which serve not only the cluster community but also a wide range of stakeholders across Europe.

 

Thanks to its active cooperation with European organisations, the NCA has an extensive network of contacts with cluster organisations across Europe. This significantly facilitates the involvement of Czech clusters in international projects and consortia—in 2021, the NCA successfully supported the entry of three member organisations into international project consortia. Through these activities, the NCA helps its members gain valuable information, access new opportunities, and expand their international cooperation.