Cluster cooperation and cluster networking are pressing issues and transnational cluster cooperation is frequently discussed in Europe - as a way to strengthen critical mass in terms of actors and competencies, increase the conditions of innovation between different business and research fields and to strengthen the existing companies within the clusters. There is a need for deeper learning and understanding of cluster collaboration.

VINNOVA and The Swedish Agency for Economic growth launched a pilot project in order to find out more in detail, advantages with cluster cooperation. The results were presented at the TCI conference in Jyväskylä 2009.

This pilot involved two complementary clusters in Sweden; one within the field of consumer driven packaging and another within printed electronics -The Packaging Arena from the middle east of Sweden and Printed Electronics Arena from the south west. The two clusters were already acquainted with each other and they showed a convincing willingness for cooperation.

As National Agencies we started to look into the following main questions:

• The added value of cluster cooperation?
• What are the key factors for a successful collaboration (for instance cluster management, development steps, financial and competence resources, critical mass etc)?
• Methods of mobilizing and implementing linking activities?

The two clusters received a minor grant for one year for an intense cooperation. The cluster organisations involved cluster actors in a number of meetings, conducted surveys among the actors and matched needs to competences through individual dialogues on different levels. The positive effects of cluster networking became clear in less than a year. Thanks to this pilot we found some general success factors.

The fact that the two clusters were complementary to each other was of great importance for the cooperation. Since The Packaging Arena is close to the market, they could offer market knowledge and contacts and a great experience about market needs. The Printed Electronics Arena, on the other hand, is more research based and has a cutting edge competence within printed electronics. Furthermore, the project had a considerable advantage in that the clusters were able to use each other's test facilities in order to get the right expertise - and infrastructure. The clusters supported each other to fill in the gaps in their respective value chain - and in doing so they could speed up the time to market. They could also offer each other new and different competences since they were not in the exactly same sector.

Another critical precondition was that the companies on both sides were engaged, positive and willing to cooperate with other companies and that they could see the benefits of it. This shows that cluster networking has to be both a bottom up and a market driven process.

The main conclusion of this Pilot is that cluster networking can lead to a faster commercialization as long as the clusters are complementary and willing to cooperate. The Pilot project shows that openness between different actors within and outside the core of cluster is of big importance. Blind competition is not the only way to economic growth - if we are struggling to speed up new opportunities in the business sector we have to open up and exchange knowledge and experiences.

Cluster cooperation and cluster networking are pressing issues and transnational cluster cooperation is frequently discussed in Europe - as a way to strengthen critical mass in terms of actors and competencies, increase the conditions of innovation between different business and research fields and to strengthen the existing companies within the clusters. There is a need for deeper learning and understanding of cluster collaboration.  

Cecilia Johansson, VINNOVA
Ewa Andersson, Tillväxtverket - Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

24 August 2010

CENTRAL EUROPE is a European Union programme that encourages cooperation among the countries of Central Europe to improve innovation, accessibility and the environment and to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of their cities and regions.

CENTRAL EUROPE invests €231 million to provide funding to transnational cooperation projects involving public and private organisations from Austria, the Czech Republic,Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

The restricted call for strategic projects invites public and private organisations to present their Expression of Interest to join the future project partnerships as from 12 July till 17 September 2010. 
Amongst the seven pre-elaborated project concepts representing future strategic projects, project 1 focus on "Boosting innovation through new cluster concepts in support of emerging issues and cross-sectoral themes".

To get acquainted information about the Programme goals, general project characteristics, structure of the Application Form and eligibility of expenditure conditions, go on :http://www.central2013.eu/central-projects/applying-for-a-project/restricted-call-for-strategic-projects/

August 31st. – September 1st. 2010 in Copenhagen

Since 2006 Oxford Research has successfully trained cluster facilitators on bespoken programs conducted in Scandinavia. In response to participants feedback the program this year is concentrated on two full days and participation fees has been reduced accordingly to 1,200 EUR including course material and social events. Travel and accommodation is not included.

In 48 hours participants learn about:

• Innovation systems, clusters, and networks: What are they? How can they be developed politically?
• What are the characteristics of clusters?
• How does different regions and countries work with clusters? Focus on Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
• Management and facilitation of clusters and network: How can it be translated into practice?
• Challenges for cluster and network facilitators: Pitfalls and criteria for success
• How can we increase cooperation within and between clusters?
• Strategic development and action plans in relation to participants’ own clusters

The Oxford Advanced Learners and Alumni Club Meeting September 2nd. – 3rd. 2010 in Copenhagen

New this year Oxford Research hosts the first Advanced Learners and Alumni Club meeting. Based on participants feedback Oxford Research now offers a unique opportunity for cluster facilitators and policy makers to share their experiences, successes and challenges with other experienced cluster facilitators during this intensive 1½ day ‘advanced learners’ course. The main purpose of the course is to give cluster facilitators further inspiration in how to deal with the key challenges they are facing in their practical work with developing clusters and cluster initiatives. The fee is 980 EUR including course material and social events. Travel and accommodation is not included.

During the meeting participants will get:

• Best practice cases in cluster development
• Brush up in cluster development essentials
• Tools and inspiration for long term sustainable cluster development
• Introduction to next generation cluster developments
• Networking and team building possibilities with other experienced cluster facilitators

For more information, see the website of Oxford Research, contact Jakob Stoumann Jensen or see the attached brochures.

The ABCEurope project brings together 13 European clusters to develop and launch new biotechnology support services for use across Europe. It is funded by DG Enterprise through the Europe Innova Cluster Innovation platform.

The 1 day launch meeting will take place in Cambridge on 15th October, with full agenda launched at the beginning of September.

Who may attend? Any organisation contributing to biotechnology Cluster Management in Europe. Places are limited to 25 and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Cost: The meeting is free of charge

Agenda: The full agenda will be launched at the start of September

Registration: Registration will open on August 2nd through the One Nucleus website at www.onenucleus.com.

About ABCEurope:

The Advanced Biotech Cluster platforms for Europe aims  to  reinforce  active  and  structured  partnerships  between  EU  bio clusters and their companies. By providing better quality and more efficient services to  biotech  companies  and  by reinforcing  international  cluster  activities,  the  vision  is  to contribute to creating a European biotech world-class cluster. The overall goal of the project is to foster transnational cooperation between Bio cluster initiatives, helping cluster support organisations to develop and test improved cluster support services and to integrate innovative SMEs into clusters.