Description
The European Cluster Conference 2024 took place on May 7-8 in Brussels, Belgium, highlighting the role of clusters in advancing EU industrial priorities. The Conference gathered nearly 700 participants, including representatives from cluster organisations, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and a total of 56 speakers.
The event commenced by hosting two side events, respectively addressed to European cluster partnerships and Euroclusters, and to national cluster associations and networks, where European cluster representatives highlighted the pivotal role clusters play in navigating the evolving landscape of today's economy. Central to the discourse was the indispensable role of cluster policies and networks in propelling Europe towards a greener, more digital, and resilient future.
At the official conference opening, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, emphasized the imperative of overcoming cross-border barriers to bolster the internal market during his video address, highlighting cluster networking and the Euroclusters project as best practices in this regard.
The conference brought into the spotlight two key topics: the role of clusters in building EU competitiveness and pan-European value chains and their ability to attract and make the best possible use of investments. In a series of deeply interactive parallel sessions, the Conference also addressed the Green Transition, the Digital Transition and Resilience Building, providing a deep dive into key drivers like skills, funding, and technology. The conference raised awareness about the role clusters can play in boosting the European economy, the support provided by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform and stimulated debates on clusters’ possible actions to shape the future of the EU Single Market.
Furthermore, the conference showcased the results of EU cluster initiatives under various funding opportunities, emphasizing the COSME/Single Market Programme support. It actively encouraged cooperation among clusters and members through matchmaking and networking initiatives.
Please find the full article with insights from the European Cluster Conference 2024 here.
The European Cluster Conference is all about collaboration: bringing together policymakers, cluster managers, business representatives, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to build connections and ignite new ideas for investments.
The European Cluster Conference is a bi-yearly event. Since 2008, it focuses on a different theme enabling participants to discuss different priorities.
Explore the photo gallery to revisit the memories of the event.
Objectives of the Conference:
- to discuss the latest trends in EU industrial and cluster policies and stimulate a high-level policy discussion on challenges and needs
- to discuss how to make better use of clusters in the reinforcement of EU industrial competitiveness and resilience and in the attraction of investments and in their effective spending
- to collect feedback from the cluster community on the barriers clusters face and the tools they need to accelerate the twin transition, build resilience, foster upskilling and reskilling, access funding, and develop and adopt new technologies
- to exchange best practices on how to strengthen the EU’s defence, health, energy and economic security, on internationalisation, on cluster business models, on how to bolster start-ups and scale-ups, and how to improve social conditions through clusters
- to showcase the result of EU cluster initiatives and actions such as Euroclusters, Cluster Excellence, Internationalisation, supporting SME Innovation, Industrial Modernisation and Smart Specialisation;
- to encourage synergies, exchange and interaction between policy-makers, practitioners and experts at the European level.
See the key takeaways of the discussion.
The Matchmaking
On the second day of the European Cluster Conference, the Matchmaking event provided a dedicated platform for finding potential partners. The event gathered 170 participants from cluster organizations, business support organizations, and businesses across 26 EU and COSME countries. Over 800 meeting requests were registered, along with numerous informal interactions. The structured framework of the matchmaking event allowed for targeted and efficient meetings, maximizing the chances of finding suitable partners, fostering innovation and promoting interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations.
With participants from multiple countries, the event promotes international cooperation, helping businesses expand beyond their domestic markets through clusters. Strengthening ties within and between clusters enhances their overall effectiveness, leading to more robust regional economic development. By facilitating direct connections, the event helps participants optimize resources, reduce time spent on partner searches, and focus on strategic business development activities.
Check out the upcoming ECCP Matchmaking events.
Site visits
Participants in the conference were offered the possibility to visit the Green Energy Park, Zellig where research institutions, government bodies and private sector entities have a dedicated space to co-create, test and refine innovations in a realistic environment.
The Green Energy Park vzw was founded in a collaboration between Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel. As a strategic Living Lab Centre, located in the Research Park of Zellik, Green Energy Park vzw stimulates cooperation between companies, knowledge institutions, authorities and end users by offering them unique living labs where they can test and refine their innovative developments in a realistic environment. With these living labs and its knowledge, expertise and training centre, Green Energy Park vzw aims to form the bridge between research and the economy. Green Energy Park vzw puts its focus on three domains: "Energy and Climate", "Health" and "Key Enabling Technologies". The tour of the park included presentations by different experts on a wide array of topics:
- Inne Peersman: Green Energy Park, innovations at the living lab.
- Frederik Loeckx: The need for living labs in accelerating the energy transition.
- Lennert Callebaut: Case study 1: residential neighbourhood
- Jelle Smekens: Case study 2: companies and SME zones
Exhibition
The exhibition displayed during the Conference consisted of 70 booths, including those of the European Commission, the European Clusters Collaboration Platform, of several Euroclusters, European Cluster Associations and Partnerships, multiple prominent clusters, national cluster associations and initiatives related to clusters. The exhibition during the European Cluster Conference provided a dynamic platform for participants to showcase their innovations, products, and services to a wide audience, including potential partners and industry experts. This visibility enhanced networking by facilitating informal interactions and discussions around the exhibits, strengthening professional relationships and encouraging cross-sector partnerships.
The European Commission's stands highlighted its support mechanisms, funding opportunities, and policies aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the EU, such as the Innovation Fund, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument, among others. Meanwhile, the European Clusters Collaboration Platform presented its role in facilitating cross-border cluster cooperation, offering resources and tools, such as Green Transition Support, Trend Universe, discussion groups and upcoming events, to help clusters connect, collaborate, and grow.
By integrating the exhibition into the event, the conference ensures a comprehensive experience that combines learning, networking, and business development, thereby maximizing the benefits for all participants and contributing to the growth and dynamism of the industrial ecosystems involved.
Please find the Conference programme here.
The ECCP team is honoured to have contributed to the success of the European Cluster Conference 2024. This event provided a remarkable platform, underscoring the invaluable contributions of clusters and cluster organisations to Europe's economic transformation. Through such initiatives, our goal remains steadfast: to spotlight the pivotal role clusters play in strengthening Europe’s value chains, bolstering resilience, spearheading green initiatives, and steering the digital transition.