More than half of the EU Member States support innovation, research and development through specific cluster policies to boost economic growth and competitiveness. These policies are often aligned with the broader EU policies and implemented at the national or regional level. The financial support to clusters is typically a mix of public and private sources and can include grants, subsidies, tax incentives, co-financing schemes, Public-Private Partnerships or concrete cluster programmes for training, benchmarking, and best practice dissemination. 

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, organised the EU Clusters Talk “Cluster development in EU Member States: Initiatives and funding options” on 4 September, 8:30 – 9:45 CET, to give an overview of different funding cluster policies that exist in the European Union, discuss how they help to develop the future cluster landscape, and analyse what is needed to further enhance the support.

Watch the session recording

Speakers included:

• Anna Monjo Gallego, Team Leader of the Catalunya Clusters Program, ACCIÓ
• Annie Renders, Head of Unit Cluster Policy & Strategic Relations, Government of Flanders, VLAIO
• Michael Liebminger, Cluster Manager, Styrian Business Development Agency (SFG)
• Jiri Herinek, President, CZ National Cluster Association

This event is part of regular online meetings brought to the cluster community by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. They offer up-to-date insights into the latest industrial policies and clusters’ involvement, projects, and best practices, the latest ECCP news, and funding opportunities. The EU Clusters Talks are a space to exchange knowledge and to discuss cluster-relevant topics, which will change with every meeting.