A Strategy for the Development of the Clusters of the Danube Region

INVITATION

to sign

Initiative to Develop a Cluster Strategy for the Danube Region

December 3rd, 2019

Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Dear friends and colleges,

we would like to invite you to sign the Initiative to Develop a Cluster Strategy for the Danube Region.

Why do we (=Clusters from the Danube Region) need a strategy?

As generators of innovation, higher employment and growth, clusters play an important role in the EU economy. Their role is emphasized in all EU macro-regional strategies, including the EU strategy for the Danube region which was launched in 2010. The 14 member states differ in terms of their development, especially when it comes to the innovation performance. Clusters have the potential to resolve the disbalance and increase regional competitiveness, and this is why the development of clusters is strongly supported also by the EUSDR.

In the past 9 years the Strategy has given a framework which led to the several cluster projects. One of the unexpected but common results of those projects is a fact that in spite of the development of clusters in the Danube region in recent years, there are still challenges, which are mainly connected with the issues such as funding difficulties, the lack of long-term political commitment and awarennes on the importance of the clusters' role in the regional development.

This is why the Working Group "Clusters and Regional Development", established within the Priority Area 8 "Competitivennes of Enterprises" of the EUSDR, is launching this Initiative to develop a cluster strategy which will be focused on facing challenges which are specific for the development of the clusters along the Danube Region. We invite all clusters and relevant stakeholders of the regional and industrial development to joint the initiative and support clusters of the Danube region on their way towards strengthening the SMEs and industrial development of their regions.

The signing ceremony will be organized in the framework of the international workshop Role of Clusters in the Regional Development (more information and registration link below).

EVENT PROFILE DATA

Event type: Thematic international workshop on the role of clusters and industrial development of the regions

Moderator: Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker, International Cluster Expert

Target sectors: All industrial sectors

Target participants: Clusters, regional development, national and regional authorities, R&D and higher education

Objectives
1. To highlight the benefits of an integrated approach to cluster policies and smart specialization
2. To introduce the revised European Cluster Excellence Scheme

3. To discuss the opportunities and challenges for cluster policies in this context
4. Exchange of experience and networking

Participation: FREE OF CHARGE (Co-organized with PA8 Competitiveness of enterprises - Danube Strategy)

WORKSHOP AGENDA

08.30 - 09.00 Registration
09.00 - 09.30 Welcome speeches and introduction

09.30 - 10.45 Session I: The White Paper on Strenghtening the Capacities of the Clusters
10.45 - 11.00 Coffee break

11.00 - 12.30 Session II: Role of Clusters in the Industrial Development of the Regions

12.30 - 12.45 The signing ceremony of the Initative to Develop a Cluster Strategy for the Danube Region

12.45 - 13.30 Lunch

13.30 - 14.45 Session III: The new criteria / indicators of the ESCA Labelling Approach

14.45 - 15.00 Wrap up and closing

Registration link for the Workshop Clusters and Regional Development...

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Smart specialisation strategies are key elements of a new, more result-oriented Cohesion Policy focusing on growth through innovation, which is now being implemented. It helps regions at different stages of development to focus on their strengths, to position themselves in global value chains and to team up to build strategic partnerships across Europe with other regions that have complementary strength in similar priority areas.
Clusters and cluster policies can facilitate this process and help to maximise the impact of the EUR 121 billion of European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to investment in research and innovation guided by smart specialisation strategies. The implementation of these strategies promises to trigger industrial modernisation processes and create more productive, diversified and resilient economies. It should in particular contribute to providing small and medium-sized enterprises – the backbone of the EU economy – with better support and investment opportunities.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN MORE

The workshop is organized as a side event of the Adriatic Wood Days, an international conference on forest-based industries, bioeconomy, and related policies and EU funding. Don't miss the additional opportunity to learn about the projects and good practicies related to the role of biomass in the regional development, as well how can forest-based industries support development of bioeconomy in your region!

More information on AWD 2019...