Clusters for Technology Transfer 

This edition of the Clusters Meet Regions initiative will focus on the pivotal role of clusters in driving technology transfer and innovation within SMEs, and their broader impact on regional development, digitalisation, sustainability, and interregional collaboration. Hosted in Cluj-Napoca, in the heart of Romania’s North-West Region, the event will highlight the region’s robust cluster ecosystem—renowned for its commitment to smart specialisation and innovation-led growth. 

The conference will highlight the strategic contributions of clusters to technology transfer and business driven innovation in fields such as agrifood, wood & furniture, ICT, renewable energy, and creative industries. 

The event will also benefit from the active involvement of CLUSTERO’ – The Romanian Cluster Association, representing 54 of the most dynamic clusters nationwide, and the North-West Regional Development Agency (ADR NV), a key actor in regional innovation strategy and economic development.

Over two days, the programme will include high-level discussions, interactive panel sessions, thematic workshops, site visits to regional innovation hubs, and matchmaking and pitching events. This dynamic agenda is designed to foster meaningful connections and advance Europe's innovation, sustainability, and cohesion goals through cluster-driven collaboration.

🗓️ Draft Agenda

🖊️Registration

Context and Objectives

The North-West Region of Romania — comprising Bihor, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj, Maramureș, Satu Mare, and Sălaj — has rapidly emerged as a dynamic hub of innovation and sustainable development within the European Union. The region is recognised for its strong commitment to digital transformation, renewable energy, and creative industries, driven by a network of clusters, research institutions, and forward-thinking SMEs. With a strategic focus on technology transfer and international collaboration, North-West Romania exemplifies how regional ecosystems can drive national and cross-border growth while aligning with key EU priorities such as the European Green Deal and the Digital Europe Programme.

As part of the European Commission’s “Clusters Meet Regions” initiative, the Cluj-Napoca conference brings together key regional, national, and international stakeholders to explore how clusters can function as catalysts for sustainable economic transformation, facilitate SME internationalisation, and boost interregional cooperation.

Key Objectives of the Event

This event aims to:

• Highlight effective models for technology transfer and innovation by presenting success stories and practical insights from both local and European cluster initiatives.
• Promote interregional and cross-sector collaboration among clusters, research institutions, public authorities, and businesses to foster shared innovation and knowledge exchange.
• Empower SMEs by addressing their needs in accessing new markets, securing funding, and adopting digital and green technologies.
• Align regional strategies with EU objectives, ensuring that local development pathways are consistent with broader European frameworks such as the Green Deal, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe.
• Facilitate matchmaking and practical exchanges, encouraging partnerships that drive regional resilience and competitiveness.

Target Groups

The event will bring together a wide spectrum of European stakeholders whose collaboration is essential to advancing innovation, regional development, and cluster excellence. The key target groups include:

• Regional authorities and policymakers - representatives involved in shaping cluster policies, smart specialisation strategies, and economic development frameworks at local, regional, and EU levels for shaping cluster policies and economic development strategies.
• Cluster organisations - facilitators of cross-sector innovation, interregional cooperation, and SME support, acting as intermediaries between businesses, academia, and policymakers, as efficient examples of driving cross-sector collaboration and business innovation.
• SMEs, startups, and scale-ups – with a focus on those active in digital technology, agrifood, energy, and creative sectors, seeking opportunities for internationalisation, funding, and innovation partnerships.
• Academic and research institutions – the key players in technology transfer, R&D collaboration, and knowledge-driven innovation, contributing scientific insight and infrastructure to the innovation ecosystem.
• Industry leaders – companies leading in digitalisation, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and sustainable development, providing mentorship, investment, and market access opportunities.

Expected Outcomes

The "Clusters Meet Regions" event in Cluj-Napoca is designed to generate tangible results that extend beyond the conference itself. By convening key stakeholders from across Europe’s innovation and cluster ecosystems, the event aims to:

• Foster stronger interregional and cross-sector collaborations, by catalysing joint innovation initiatives and partnerships between clusters, businesses, academia, and public authorities across European regions.

• Accelerate knowledge exchange on key innovation drivers, by sharing practical insights and best practices related to technology transfer, SME internationalisation, and digital transformation, supporting replication and scaling across regions. 

• Inform and influence EU policy frameworks, by contributing to ongoing European discussions on innovation and cohesion policy by aligning regional priorities with EU strategies such as the Green Deal, Digital Europe Programme, and Horizon Europe.

• Unlock new partnership and funding opportunities, by facilitating connections that support the development of collaborative projects and improve access to European funding for SMEs, research institutions, and cluster networks.

Through these outcomes, the event will reinforce the role of clusters as engines of innovation, economic growth, and territorial cohesion within the European Union.

Venue and Logistics

Venue

The conference will be hosted in Cluj-Napoca, a leading innovation and academic hub in Romania. The two-day event will take place across two strategic locations:

Day 1 – Radisson Blu Hotel. Located in the city centre, the hotel offers modern conference facilities and is ideal for high-level discussions, panel sessions, and matchmaking events.

Day 2 – Cluj Innovation Park. Activities will continue at the Centre of Excellence for Furniture (CEM) and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries (CREIC), state-of-the-art facilities that exemplify the region’s commitment to innovation, design, and sustainable development.

Accessibility

Cluj-Napoca is highly accessible for international and regional participants, benefitting of logistical advantages that support a seamless experience for attendees and enhance opportunities for engagement and networking throughout the event.

Air Connectivity. Cluj-Napoca International Airport, Romania’s second-busiest airport, offers direct connections to numerous European cities, facilitating easy travel for participants across the continent.

Accommodation and Amenities. The city provides a broad selection of hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues, making it a welcoming and comfortable destination for international guests.

Local Transport. Cluj-Napoca features well-developed public transports, including bus lines, as well as ride-sharing services such as Uber and Bolt, ensuring smooth and reliable access to all event venues.

🗓️ Draft Agenda

🖊️Registration