NEWSLETTER no. 4 1
PARTNERSHIP BUILDING Jointly we can reach more! Regarding the creation of meta-cluster is this sentence rather apposite. Internationalization of cluster cooperation is a fruitful collaboration for all included clusters. It improves the cluster management from all points of view. Networking and identification of best practices among cooperating clusters leads to economic growth of all involved subjects thanks do sharing such knowledge and experience. In this way clusters learn from each other how to be more effective and competitive. Being part of an international cluster reduces the costs and supports the economic development through specialization, which in the end increases the prosperity of all included subjects. The Head of International Cleantech Network (ICN), Stephan Skare Nielsen explains the importance of partnership building as following: Partnership is an essential element in international Collaboration because it brings cooperation between regions to a very concrete level. ICN understands the importance of collaboration as being the tool helping to aim for the bigger picture. Thanks to this, dreams of taking on greater challenges and crating large, integrated solutions become realizable. 2
EXCHANGE FORUMS CLUSTERS-CORD project is through its activities also supporting such initiative as third stage within the project is dedicated mainly to clusters cooperation. Such cooperation should be realized through study-visits and exchanges. These meetings brought together Cluster Managers, representatives of Clusters members along with Policy Decision Makers from the field of cluster policy. Bringing together such diverse group of experts should not only strongly support the creation of new services and methods but it should also help to create an important and strong base for meta-cluster creation. Actual meeting of all interested business partners from various clusters in face-toface meetings should be crucial for strengthening collaboration among partner clusters. Such meetings provide partners with specific knowledge and experience that supports and increases their competitiveness in the field of their business. During the duration of the CLUSTERS-CORD project 3 exchange forums were held in total so far, although this number might change according to the project needs. Each such exchange brought together different workings groups among the project participants i.e. representatives of different industries e.g. ICT, Tourism, Energy & Environment, Food, etc. Such exchange visits emphasise the importance of selecting good practices from the point of view of cluster members who are the main target group of these exchanges and these forums were mostly based on their discussion and supported by representatives of professional organizations and project partners. 3
1 st Exchange forum of CLUSTERS-CORD project Working group of Energy & Environment has met up at the 1 st Exchange forum in Linz, Austria in February 2012 (21 22 February). Seven cluster representatives and twenty one project partners attended this event. Linz, Austria Each cluster manager had been given an opportunity to present their cluster to other participants. Later on a debate was held regarding the future form of their cooperation within the E&E working group. This constructive exchange of experience and opinions has set the basis for creating the Joint Strategic Plan (JPS), which consists of set of actions that could be commonly developed by the involved clusters and the future meta-cluster establishment. All possible areas of cooperation of involved clusters have been discussed leading to drawing up their common activities which are: renewable energy and Technology & Innovation. The future appearance of the meta-cluster has been brought up, as cluster managers had expressed their opinions regarding the legal entity, provided services, way of establishment and financing possibilities of the meta-cluster. 4
2 nd Exchange forum of CLUSTERS-CORD project Lodi, Italy Second Exchange forum of the CLUSTERS-CORD project was a place of meeting of two working groups: Tourism and Food. o Working group TOURISM Fourteen participants including project partners and cluster managers attended this exchange forum which took place on 3 rd and 4 th April 2012 in Vaprio d Adda in Lodi, Italy. The main objective of the meeting of the working group Tourism was concentrating on the exchange plan for the meta-cluster development in the field of tourism industry in Clusters-cord region. A study visit for participating cluster representative has been arranged by the hosting cluster. The presentation of Thematic scan has demonstrated the elaborated picture of tourism offer and demand among clusters member in order to support the meta-cluster development. The common activities concerning this development are: common marketing methodology and common actions matchmaking activities The future meta-cluster members have also agreed that the future meta-cluster doesn t need to have any legal form, because trust building is the most important thing for the future members. 5
o Working group FOOD Representatives of WG from different regions of Central Europe met at the Parco Tecnologico Padano of Lodi. The forum was aimed at deepening the understanding (common needs, activities and services provided by clusters, etc.) between the clusters from food industry from different European countries and laying the foundation towards building a strategic partnership. Thematic scan describing starting position in the building of the cooperation and containing information about all funding members of the future Food meta-cluster has been presented. The discussion has been led on the level of clusters and future meta-clusters as well us on the level of members of the clusters. During the discussion among cluster managers have been defined main common topics of the Food meta-cluster which are: joint marketing activities international projects of research and development sharing of services facilities and technologies. Through organized bilateral meetings has been possible to identify opportunities for business between member companies of the involved clusters. 6
3 rd Exchange forum of CLUSTERS-CORD project Third exchange forum within the CLUSTERS-CORD project was held on 12 th 13 th June 2012 in Stuttgart, Germany. Stuttgart, Germany Hosting partner of this forum is Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS). The exchange forum in Stuttgart welcome representatives of ICT clusters, members of the working group Information and Communication Technologies. (ICT). ICT working group is led by Regional Development Agency of Usti Region, whose representatives presented developed Thematic scan of the working group which describes basic information about each member of the ICT group and identifies common topics for the cooperation. Participates had chance to discuss the proposals for cooperation and work on establishing the meta-cluster in the field of ICT. The discussion has been aimed at sharing of experience on regional SMEs clustering and to discuss future steps regarding preparatory work on the Strategic plan which should deepen the cooperation among clusters and its member on international level. Attendances of the exchange forum had also chance to visit The Virtual Dimension Centre, which is example of excellent cooperation in the field of digital planning and digital production. Project partners as well as cluster had the chance to see the presentation of Virtual Dimension Network and to learn from their great example. 7
INTRODUCTION OF PARTNERS PP6 - Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biala The idea of the Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biala is to initiate, organize and support the development of south Silesia voivodeship area and its promotion in Poland as well as abroad. We accomplish our aims with help of stockholders funds, the profit from our business activities and other forms of financial support including European Union funds. The special achievement of Regional Development Agency is completion of Beskid Technology Incubator building in Bielsko- Biala. ARR is a member of The National Association of Regional Development Agencies NARDA in Poland. The range of services provided by the Regional Development Agency Joint Stock Company includes: Comprehensive aid for small and medium enterprises in the framework of the National Service System for SME as well as for local government authorities, including professional counselling in the range of technical, organizational, economical, financial, legal and marketing issues as well organization of trainings and seminars All forms of activities related to acquiring the financial resources from the European Union Consulting and training activities International cooperation related with dissemination and exchange of experience, creating associations between national and foreign trading partners, looking for foreign investors. The Regional Development Agency Joint Stock Company focuses mainly on the following services: General character counselling services business plans, economic analysis, UE and national programmes. Pro innovation counselling providing aid during the introduction of new innovative technologies, technology transfer and introduction of innovative solution in the companies, provision of design, execution and counselling services Business incubation - creation of new businesses based on innovative solutions in the information technology, medical, metallurgical, environmental protection, tourism, furniture, printing, plastics, electronics and automation sectors. Trainings organization of trainings as well as selection and verification of the lectures Information delivery in the scope of available public aid programmes for entrepreneurs as well as other available sources of financing for economic activity 8
The special achievement of Regional Development Agency is completion of the Beskid Technology Incubator (BIT) building in Bielsko Biała. The Beskid and Technology Transfer Centre cooperates with BIT on the following tasks: Creating synergy between science world and business world. Technology and innovation transfer Assistance for small and medium enterprises in the adjustment needed to operate in the open market. Consultancy in scope of financing the science research projects Association of the business partners in Poland and abroad CLUSTERS-CORD project is one of the three cluster projects implemented by the Regional Development Agency at the moment. Cooperation within the above mention project is leading to a development of a meta-cluster in the tourism sector. This will ensure the exchange of experience based on promotion of the cluster tools and will lead to creation of joint tourist products by members of the meta-cluster. Based on this members of the meta-cluster should promote each other at events or fairs, in publications and will search together for new sources of financing. web: www.arrsa.pl e-mail: biuro@arrsa.pl Tel/fax: 0048 33 816 91 62 address: ul. Cieszyńska 365 43-382 Bielsko-Biała Poland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PP7 - The Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce The Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce (UACC), which is by law, the representative of the entire Upper Austrian business community, represents the membership interests at all levels of government. UACC is the body responsible for the Upper Austrian Food Cluster (UAFC) which was initiated under the context of the Upper Austrian 2000+ strategic and economic program by the Upper Austrian government and acts as supplier of services for regional economic development. As a service-oriented non-profit organization, the UACC and its Food Cluster are obliged to operate in the public interest and to the benefit of its customers and partners. The main competence of the UAFC can be described as to use the synergy to enhance innovation and to strengthen regional and supra-regional competitiveness in all fields. 9
UACC and its FC are aiming at the improvement of network creation between different know-howproviders (e.g. SME, global player, research institutes, universities, associations, etc.) on regional and interregional level. The overarching objective of the cluster is in line with the regional policy objective that is to strengthen and stabilizing the regional economy in the food sector. UACC/UAFC has made extensive experience and has collected a considerable amount of "regional good practice". Regional strategies and objectives for the structural development of the thematic sectors in the Upper Austrian Region are for instance to strengthen cooperation, to offer systems and to build up specialized regional networks. Due to the high relevance of networks for future applications in the Upper Austrian Industry, the UACC and its Food Cluster attach importance on fostering the innovative capacity of the food sector. Chamber of Commerce / Food Cluster are experienced in cooperation projects in RTD fields and cluster development. They have been involved in several different European funded projects: Interreg III A Austria/Czech Republic: COMPASS Work without regional barriers Interreg III A Austria/Bavaria: Transnational Cooperation and Service Network Transnational Technology Cooperation Platform South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme: TECH.FOOD - Solutions and interventions for the technological transfer and the innovation of the agrofood sector in South East regions. web: http://www.wko.at e-mail: office@wko.at Phone: +43 (0)5 90 900 Fax: +43 (0)5 90 900 5678 address: Hessenplatz 3 4020 Linz Austria ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10