On 15 - 16 June 2023, another conference under the Cluster meet Regions (CMRs) series took place in Malmö, Sweden. The National Cluster Association was given the opportunity to help with the organisation of the already second CMRs conference. The first co-organisation was during the CMRs in Košice.

The main organisers of the CMRs were the European Cluster Collaboration Platform on behalf of the European Commission, together with partners Region Skåne, Media Evolution, Sustainable Business Hub, Livsmedels-Akademin, Syd Industriellt Utvecklings Centrum, Mobile Heights a Packbridge. The event's theme was Clusters as innovation boosters in industrial ecosystems. 

SUMMARY CLUSTERS MEET REGIONS 

Malmö is an international city that is creative, progressive and focuses on development and innovation in the areas of technology, food, life and health sciences, smart sustainable cities, advanced materials and manufacturing, Ess, Max IV and science, with advanced materials and manufacturing being the most prominent in the Skåne region. Malmo's goal is to continue to attract new people who can contribute to development and innovation. We must also not forget the excellent cooperation between the universities that takes place nationally and internationally and the collaboration with Denmark. Sweden, as such, can be proud of its excellent education system and the nurturing of a new generation of great minds. Sweden's excellent command of English makes it a suitable partner for international cooperation. Sweden's work-life balance gives the country a high quality of life. The cluster environment in Sweden and in the Skåne region is very rich. Swedish clusters are excellent potential partners not only for projects but also for business. 

The need for cooperation between clusters, large companies and academics was mentioned several times during the lectures. Emphasis was also placed on the need for funding to help the future development of the region and innovation. 

The event mainly focused on Clusters as innovation boosters in industrial ecosystems. Participants got the opportunity to learn about the following:

💡Innovations, priorities and challenges in the Digital and Green Transition

💡The Swedish model of collaboration with innovation actors at regional, national, and international levels

💡The role of enablers of Digital and Green transitions in six main areas of the region

💡Interregional collaboration

💡The Future of the Clusters Landscape

💡Futures for regional development and clusters

We would like to thank all participants for their participation and for the opportunity to participate in the organisation of the CMRs. The next CMRs will take place on 23-24 October, this time in the heart of the Czech Republic, in Prague. Put the date in your diary! We will inform you about the programme and the whole event very soon.

You can find out more about Clusters meet Regions in Sweden HERE. The full event programme is available HERE.

Please find the Input papers presentation and photographs from the event. More presentations from the CMRs can be found HERE.