CluStrat

Clustrat is a project approved and funded by the INTERREG Central Europe program. The project aims to develop common policies that allow existing clusters of traditional sectors to exploit new and promising markets in order to create new clusters based on emerging industries. More specifically, the project enabled policymakers to implement a strategy based on new cluster concepts to support emerging economic sectors, cross-cutting technologies and cross-sector themes.

Partners

• Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum der Steinbeis Innovation gGMbH - Germania
• Clusterland Upper Austria - Austria
• National Cluster Association – Repubblica Ceca
• Business Development Agency of Karlovy – Repubblica Ceca
• Saxony Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) – Germania
• Hungarian Economic Development Centre (MAG) – Ungheria
• Hungarian Public Company for Regional Development and Town Planning (VATI) – Ungheria
• Central Transdanubian Regional Development Agency (KDRFÜ) – Ungheria
• Friuli Innovazione – Udine, Italia
• Piedmont Region, Department for Innovation – Italia
• Veneto Region, Department of Economic Development – Italia
• Polish Chamber of Commerce – Polonia
• Lower Silesian Voivodeship (Marshal’s Office of Lower Silesia) – Polonia
• Upper Silesian Agency for Enterprises Restructuring Co. – Polonia
• Public Agency for Technology of the Republic of Slovenia – Slovenia
• National Agency for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises – Slovacchia
• The Union of Slovak Clusters – Slovacchia
• Cluster AT+R – Slovacchia

The aim of the project was to make the Central European area a model region to develop new cluster concepts that allow traditional sector clusters to intertwine with new emerging industries such as active aging, sustainable development and sustainable mobility . This is done by promoting the potential of the cross-cutting issues that affect the development and activities of the cluster, in particular gender and innovation, technology transfer and internationalization. The objectives of the project have been achieved through a political dialogue at regional, national and trans-national level to define the setting for a process of exchange, learning and decision-making. An initial mapping of existing clusters to show potential in each partner region regarding selected future challenges and related emerging industries. Smart specialization combines the existing economic and innovation structure with key enabling technologies, enabling partners to focus on those areas where they have the most potential to become technology or market leaders. A systematic analysis of cluster potential in relation to emerging sectors and cross-cutting issues in Central Europe to stimulate the development of new clusters, through transnational cooperation of existing districts and pilot actions to test the elements of the strategy followed by recommendations joint policies and action plans, at transnational and macro-regional level, for future programs and initiatives.