What approaches are European cluster organisations using to collect data and manage reporting processes?

How can clusters use data and reporting to demonstrate impact, improve services, and support strategic decision-making?

Cluster organisations play a key role in supporting SME innovation, industrial competitiveness, and regional economic development. As recipients of public funding, they are expected to monitor and report on their activities and results to a wide range of stakeholders. While reporting is often driven by accountability requirements, it also provides an opportunity for cluster organisations to demonstrate their impact, improve services to members, strengthen communication with stakeholders, and support future funding and investment opportunities. At the same time, collecting meaningful data remains challenging due to the complexity of cluster ecosystems and the need to capture both measurable outcomes and less tangible benefits such as collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Against this background, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, is organising the EU Clusters Talk “Making reporting work: Good practices in cluster data collection and reporting” on 9 September 2026, from 08:30 to 10:00 CEST (online). The session will explore how cluster organisations across Europe collect information from their members, organise reporting processes, and use data in practice to support their activities and demonstrate impact. 

The discussion will examine different approaches to cluster data collection and reporting, including how organisations respond to diverse stakeholder expectations and reporting requirements. Particular attention will be given to how reporting can move beyond an administrative exercise and become a strategic tool for decision-making, improving services to members, communicating impact, and strengthening engagement with policymakers, partners, and investors. 

Speakers will include:

• Monika Antonowicz, Expert, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development

• Montserrat Daban Marín, Director of Strategy and Global Partnerships, BioCat

• Anne Lebreton-Wolf, Founder, ALW Finance & Innovation

• Annie Renders, Head of Unit Cluster Policy and Strategic Relations, VLAIO - Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship

More speakers to be announced soon. 

Read the agenda

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 for the cluster community to exchange knowledge and to discuss cluster-relevant topics.