The Cluster Booster Academy is specifically designed for supporting cluster managers in their current work as much as in the further development of their cluster. The Cluster Booster Academy aims to provide learning opportunities for cluster managers to further develop their own skills but also their cluster’s future, paving the way to becoming a cluster of the future. 

Representatives of four Czech cluster organisations participated in the CBA:

• Czech Optical Cluster - Petr Prikryl, Jiri Herinek
• Autoklastr - Adam Priechodsky
• HR Development Cluster - Magdalena Vrabcekova
• CREA Hydro & Energy - Kristian Cely

The first part of the 3rd Cluster Booster Academy (CBA) took place online on 23-25 January 2024. More information about the online training.

The second part of the 3rd Academy was held in person on March 11-12 in Sofia, Bulgaria, where 45 experts from various fields gathered to advance green strategies and technological knowledge. For the first time, the event was also open to all employees of cluster organisations. Until now, the academy has only been open to cluster managers. The organisers focused mainly on sharing ideas, learning, and promoting better teamwork. 

Topics discussed during the CBA:

• The role of cluster organisations
• Cluster management
• Strategies for creating new innovation services
• Securing EU funding
• Greener business
• Networking opportunities
• Launching new projects

Said about the Cluster Booster Academy:

"The older I get, the more I appreciate any educational opportunity. Sometimes, I crave new information. Especially when I feel like I'm standing still, but I think we all know that. I recently attended the Cluster Booster Academy, where the training was free. The level - is excellent, the benefit - is immeasurable, and the experience - there's nothing better than learning from others. Not to mention the contacts, ideas, new perspectives gained." - Magdalena Vrabcekova, HR Development Cluster

"Thanks to my participation in the CBA, I gained new knowledge that we will use to redefine the current strategy of our CREA cluster. It has been an invaluable experience to meet people from the European cluster environment and to discuss with them the current challenges and find optimal solutions. The whole event was perfectly organized, and its content reflected the current trends in cluster management." - Kristian Cely, CREA Hydro & Energy

"Participating in this edition and meeting so many professionals was a great inspiration. Over the five days, topics such as the role of clusters, the definition of the cluster business model, cluster management, strategies for creating new innovation services, EU funding opportunities and industrialisation strategies etc., were discussed. It was also an excellent opportunity to network with European companies and clusters. We will use the acquired knowledge and methods to further improve our cluster services."- Petr Přikryl, Czech Optical Cluster

A summary of the event will be available soon.

All participants who met the CBA requirements received a certificate of completion: