In July 2025, the European Commission proposed the European Competitiveness Fund – a new instrument that represents a significant shift in how the EU will support innovation, industrial resilience, and technological leadership beyond 2027. As a flagship element of the proposed EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, the Fund will bring together diverse funding programmes into a single, strategic investment vehicle. It is designed to drive Europe’s clean transition and industrial decarbonisation, foster digital leadership, advance health, biotechnology, agriculture, and the bioeconomy, and strengthen resilience, the defence industry, and space capabilities. Cluster organisations are expected to play an important role in achieving these objectives.

To explore the opportunities for clusters, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, hosted the EU Clusters Talk: “The European Competitiveness Fund and the new MFF: Future Roles and Opportunities for Clusters” on 24 September, from 08:30 to 10:00 CET. This session outlined the main features of the Competitiveness Fund and discussed how clusters can contribute to – and benefit from – its implementation.

Speakers included: 

• Magdalena Brussel-Jacaszek, Policy Officer, DG GROW, European Commission
• Hervé Floch, President of the Europe Committee, AFPC
• Monika Antonowicz, Expert in the Strategy and Analysis Department, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development 
• Montse Daban, President, CEBR
• Raffaella Bruzzone, Chair “Access2Finance” Thematic Group, Enterprise Europe Network, Chamber of Commerce of Genoa

WATCH THE SESSION RECORDING