Participants
Interested participants must have their ‘permanent residence’ in a COSME participating country to participate in ClusterXchange. ‘Permanent residence’ is defined by ClusterXchange as:
- The place where the organisation of the applicant is registered;
- If an organisation has several registered establishments in different COSME participating countries, the participant should choose the country where he/she is based as his/her permanent residence.
Participation in ClusterXchange is not based on nationality or legal residence, therefore holding a specific nationality or legal residence status does not grant nor deny an applicant the right to participate.
As regards to third country nationals: representatives of eligible organisations who are not nationals of a COSME participating country can participate in the programme provided that they have spent 183 days in a COSME participating country with a residence permit or equivalent document that allows them to reside in the country, and that they have started or have the intention to start a business in a COSME participating country. If this condition is not fulfilled, they cannot participate in ClusterXchange.
Visiting Organisations
Eligible Visiting Organisations for transnational exchanges are:
- Cluster organisations and similar business network organisations;
- Scaling-up support organisations (such as tech centres, research institutes, [digital] innovation hubs, fab labs, creative hubs, resource-efficiency service providers, incubators, accelerators) that are cluster members;
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are cluster members.
Host Organisations
Eligible Host Organisations are:
- Cluster organisations and similar business network organisations;
- Scaling-up support organisations (such as tech centres, research institutes, [digital] innovation hubs, fab labs, creative hubs, resource-efficiency service providers, incubators, accelerators) that are cluster members;
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are cluster members.
In addition, the following are eligible to participate in ClusterXchange only as a Host Organisation:
- Training providers from a COSME participating country that are cluster members;
- Large companies from a COSME participating country that are cluster members;
- Public authorities at both regional and city/administration levels that are active in a cluster from a COSME participating country.
Benefits of participating
Benefits for visitors
Up to one month stay abroad with a selected host in another participating country will allow you to:
- Broaden your sector and non-sector specific skills and knowledge through capacity-building
- Gain insights into the operation and techniques used by your Host Organisation
- Expand your network of contacts and develop new cross-border partnerships
- Find innovative solutions to upgrade your business, products and services
- Create new business opportunities and get involved in new innovative projects
- Gain knowledge about foreign markets and cultures
- Get financial assistance for your exchange
Benefits for hosts
Hosting exchanges will allow you to receive the short visits of foreign organisations that are active in business areas relevant to your organisation. Being a Host Organisation will allow you to:
- Increase the visibility of your organisation, services and products in relevant communities (this exposure can be increased if you host multiple exchanges)
- Share your knowledge, experience and information in specific areas
- Learn new skills and knowledge from your visitors
- Expand your network of contacts and develop new cross-border partnerships
- Gain knowledge on visitors foreign markets and develop business and collaborations with them
