The DanuBioValNet project aims to boost bioeconomy development in the Danube region through cluster collaboration. The project has 16 partners from 10 countries. It seeks to develop new biobased value chains in packaging, construction, and phytopharma industries. A key focus is demonstrating bioeconomy potential through hemp industry clusters. Activities include identifying and connecting actors, implementing innovation tools, developing a joint bioeconomy strategy, and establishing a Danube Hemp Cluster Initiative to increase collaboration across the region. The project highlights how clusters can drive business and industry modernization through cooperation across sectors and countries.

2.
The Role of Clusters in Bioeconomy
– the Case of the DanuBioValNet Project
Pavla Bruskova
National Cluster Association – CZ
www.nca.cz

3. 14 Project Partners + 2 Associated Partners
10 Countries
Germany
• BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg
GmbH
• ClusterAgentur Baden-
Württemberg
• Ministry of Economic
Affairs, Labour
& Housing
Baden-Württemberg
Czech Republic
• National Cluster Association
Austria
• Business Upper Austria
Slovenia
• Ministry of Science
• Anteja ECG
Croatia
• Ministry of Economy,
Entrepreneurship and Crafts
• Croatian Wood Cluster
Slovakia
• Prounion
Serbia
• Institute of Mechanical
Engineering
Romania
• Ministry of Economy
• Clustero
• Institute of Economical
Forecasting
Bulgaria
• Association of
Bulgarian Clusters
Montenegro
• Vinecluster of
Montenegro
Start date: 1.1.2017
End date: 30.6.2019
The DanuBioValNet project

4. Clusters in bioeconomy
developmentDanuBioValNet
„Cross-clustering partnership for boosting eco-innovation
by developing a joint bio-based value-added network
for the Danube Region“
Challenges:
• To enhance a productive and sustainable bioeconomy for innovative
and competitive Europe
• To boost the natural bioeconomy potential of the countries in the
Danube Region
• To use the strengths and advantages of clusters for developing the
industrial modernisation through new biobased value chains
• To demonstrate the Danube Region´s bioeconomy opportunity on the
hemp industry clusters

5. • Identify and develop new biobased value chains:
BIOBASED PACKAGING ECO-CONSTRUCTION PHYTOPHARMA HEMP
• Identify and connect key actors from different regions and
industries, bring missing partners together to share best practices
for opening new markets, diversify production and address long-
term environmental issues.
• Implement tools to help SME and academia to innovate along the
value chains based on the best practices of cluster management
and services.
• Develop the Joint Bio-Based Cluster Policy Strategy to improve the
framework conditions for clusters to cluster/SME cooperation along
biobased value chain across regions.
Specific targets of DanuBioValNet

6. Cross-clustering in value chains
Eco-construction:
Biobased Packaging:
Phytopharma:

7. The Danube Hemp Cluster Initiative
The hemp industry as a demonstration model for bioeconomy fostering through
clusters in the Danube region countries:
• Broad scale of exploitability covering
both technical and medical cannabis
• Multi-sectoral cluster approach
• Increase of the agronomy potential of hemp
• R&D, new technologies and innovative
applications in hemp growing and processing
• Manufacturing of final products
• Regulatory measures, legal unification
• Education, awareness and promotion
• Stimulation of hemp cluster initiatives
on national levels:
• Mapping of key hemp actors
• Facilitation of cluster organisations
establishment
• Inclusion of the hemp experts in the
project activities
• Interconnection of hemp clusters for cross-country and cross-sectoral collaboration

8. Cluster Mapping
Strategy and Policy
Actions
Tool Development
& Pilot Actions
Joint BioBased Cluster Policy Strategy
Biobased Industry Innovation Express Scheme
VC mapping
Roadmapping
Action Plan
Policy
Benchmarking
Funding
Schemes
BioBased Cluster Excellence Initiative
Cluster Tool Box; New Cluster Services
implemented
Open Space Innovation Arena for
closing the biobased VC
Danube Cluster Policy Maker Forum
Project Activities

9. • The infrastructure of clusters enables business development and industry
modernisation through critical mass, collaboration, connectivity, joint
learning and innovation processes.
• The value chain basis of a cluster and its potential to generate the value
chain innovation is one of the most important features in this context.
• New industrial value chains evolve in clusters thanks to the cumulation
of different competences and need to tackle specific cross-sectoral
challenges for the future competitiveness of the businesses and the
sector as a whole.
• The European cluster policy creates good conditions for leveraging the
impacts of cluster - cluster excellence initiative, internationalisation
promotion, interconnecting RIS3 and I4.0 concepts with clusters
– the need for coordinated transfer to national policies.
The importance of clusters

10. Thank you for your attention
Official project web:
http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/danubiovalnet
DanuBioValNet
Pavla Bruskova
President
National Cluster Association
Czech Republic
bruskova@nca.cz