Ostrava, the Czech Republic — 10 November 2026 — Jiri Herinek, President of the National Cluster Association (NCA), and Renata Pfefferova, NCA’s Project and Marketing Manager, have been named the first co-Ambassadors for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) in the Czech Republic.

ECCP is the European Commission’s platform for cluster collaboration. The appointment is part of a new ECCP Ambassadors Network, piloted this year across eight countries: Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal. ECCP connects cluster managers, small and medium-sized enterprises and policymakers across Europe. It shares funding opportunities, facilitates partnerships and provides policy intelligence to strengthen the European economy through collaboration.

As co-Ambassadors, Jiri and Renata will represent ECCP in the Czech Republic, primarily by connecting the platform with national media, sharing funding and partnership opportunities with the 30 Czech clusters registered on ECCP, and bringing national cluster perspectives and experience into the platform’s work.

“I believe that our role as ECCP Ambassadors will help us build even stronger connections between Czech and European innovation ecosystems and strengthen international cooperation. Our goal is for these connections to deliver tangible results: new business opportunities, joint research and innovation projects, and greater participation of Czech companies in European value chains,” said Jiří Herinek, President of NCA.

“Connecting Czech cluster organisations with the wider professional community and the European cluster community has long been one of our priorities. The ECCP Ambassador role gives us an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Czech clusters, share their experience and bring new opportunities to our members, their companies and partners,” said Renáta Pfefferová, Project and Marketing Manager at NCA.

“Jiří Herinek has an exceptional understanding of the Czech cluster ecosystem. A business owner himself, he has spent years at the National Cluster Association (NCA) helping Czech clusters grow, work together and build ties abroad. That makes him well placed to help Czech clusters find the right partners across Europe and to bring Czech expertise into the cross-border collaboration that makes European industry stronger and more resilient,” said Pierre Hausemer, ECCP Coordinator.

About the National Cluster Association

The National Cluster Association (NCA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that brings together organisations and individuals to support the coordinated and sustainable development of cluster initiatives and advance cluster policy in the Czech Republic. By pooling knowledge, experience and expertise, it aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the Czech Republic.

About the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP)

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) is the European Commission’s platform for cluster organisations, connecting over 1,100 clusters across Europe to partners, funding opportunities and markets. Registration is free at clustercollaboration.eu.