New EC calls on cluster facilitated projects - RIS3CV

During the meeting between the Spanish regions with heads of the CDTI (Spanish Technological Development Office) and the Spanish Office of Science and Technology in Brussels (SOST), new European initiatives on clusters have been announced.

Carsten Schierenbeck, team leader of the Clusters, Social Economy & Entrepreneurship unit of DG GROW (European Commission) reviewed the various opportunities (see presentation).  The intention of the European Commission (EC) is to promote the participation of regions at all levels, and especially to involve authorities and public bodies in order to encourage the participation of SMEs. Carsten Schierenbeck pointed out that 70% of the total funds are dedicated to innovation in SMEs.

On 7 November, the EC opened the Cluster Facilited Projects for New Industrial Value Chains (INNOSUP-1-2018-2020) call for proposals with a deadline of 12 April 2018. Following the format of previous years, this call aims to allow the inter-sectoral and transregional exchange of cluster strategies. The proposal must show a clear link with the region's intelligent specialization strategy. 

This December 2017, the EC will publish a new call for European Strategic Cluster Partnerships for smart specialisation investments. A total of €2.8 million will be granted in 8 different partnerships.  Another call for Clusters Go International will also be launched to promote intercluster cooperation for industrial leadership in global markets. Some 17 projects are expected to be launched with a budget of EUR 5.79 million. (Updated: see call published on 14 December).

Finally, a new call for Cluster Excellence was announced in 2018. The aim is to support benchmarking, cluster manager training, mentoring, strategy development and intercluster learning.