The project aims to promote the development of Centres of Excellence in Europe, strengthening the competitiveness, sustainability, and resource efficiency of companies, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It also aims to intensify collaboration between clusters from different regions and sectors, facilitating SMEs' access to cluster networks and internationalisation opportunities.

 

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• To empower European cluster organisations to better support their members in adopting advanced technologies, digitalisation, low-carbon and resource-efficient solutions, as well as promoting creativity, design and the social economy;
• To support policymakers responsible for clusters policies, by providing up-to-date information, analytical tools, and peer-;
• Strengthening the development of stronger clusters through two complementary avenues: (1) increasing the capacity for collaboration and networking among organisations and stakeholders within the clusters; and (2) improving public policies supporting clusters. These two dimensions will be developed in an integrated manner, taking advantage of the synergies among the different target groups within the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP).

 

Furthermore, the project will strengthen the link between clusters and innovation ecosystems across Europe, accelerating industrial modernisation and stimulating entrepreneurship in emerging sectors with high growth potential. It will also foster more strategic inter-regional collaboration, support the internationalisation of SMEs, and contribute to the implementation of smart specialisation strategies and cluster policies, by linking and supporting key European ecosystem stakeholders.