The European Cluster Policy Group (ECPG) developed 8 recommendations to improve European cluster policy and maximize the impact of cluster programs. These recommendations call for aligning EU funding priorities with competitiveness, enhancing framework conditions for clusters, reviewing current funding recipients, and improving coordination of cluster programs across the European Commission and between the EU and member states. The recommendations target the European Commission, Council, Parliament, and member states to better support clusters and leverage cluster programs.

1. Final Recommendations of the European Cluster Policy
Group (ECPG)
- Summary -
Zoltan Bendo
Tenderix Consulting and Research
September 2010
www.tenderix.hu

2. The summary is based upon the document titled
European Cluster Policy Group
Final Recommendations
- A call for policy actions
Source: http://www.proinno-europe.eu/ecpg
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3. During 18 months of operation of the ECPG 4 issues have been
discussed in detail
Discussed issues in the four meetings of ECPG
1. 2.
Support for The role of clusters
international in the development
cooperation of emerging
among clusters industries/services
3. 4.
The efforts to raise Ways to create
the excellence of better synergies
cluster policies between
and cluster Community
organisations instruments with a
cluster dimension
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4. To meet the ambitions of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, the next
stage of European cluster policy needs better embeddedness
3 principles
Cluster programmes Public support for cluster
need to be leveraged Principle A Principle B programmes needs to
with vigorous efforts to based on clusters’ ability
strengthen Leveraged cluster Public support and willingness to
framework programmes to to be based on upgrade in the face of
conditions strengthen clusters’ ability global competition
framework A B and willingness
conditions C to upgrade
Principle C
Cluster programmes in an
integrated policy framework
Cluster programmes need to be delivered in an integrated
policy frame-work with clearly assigned roles and
responsibilities for the Commission and EU Member States
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5. The ECPG has developed policy recommendations to maximise
the impact of previous and current cluster programmes
3 principles and 8 action recommendations
1. Align funding priorities in 3. Review current profile of
the EU budget with Principle A Principle B
Principle B funding recipients at EU
competitiveness and Member State level
2. Enhance cluster–related
Leveraged cluster Public support
framework conditions Leveraged cluster Public support
programmes to to be based on
to be based on
programmes to
strengthen clusters’ ability
strengthen clusters’ ability
framework
framework
conditions
AB and willingness
and willingness
to upgrade
conditions C to upgrade
Principle C
Principle C
Cluster programmes in an
Cluster programmes in an
integrated policy framework
integrated policy framework
4. Encourage better cluster 6. Improve coordination of cluster
programmes at the EU programmes across DGs
Member State level 7. Institutionalise the provision of
5. Streamline EU funding for the cluster knowledge/data base
clusters by creating a unified set 8. Enhance European platforms for
of administrative procedures cluster collaboration
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6. The ECPG directed its 8 action proposals to EU institutions and
to the Member States
Addressed institutions of the 8 action recommendations
Action recommendation European European European Member
Commission Council Parliament States
1. Align funding priorities in the EU budget
with competitiveness
2. Enhance cluster–related framework
conditions
3. Review current profile of funding recipients
at EU and Member State level
4. Encourage better cluster programmes at the
EU Member State level
5. Streamline EU funding for clusters by
creating a unified set of administrative
procedures
6. Improve coordination of cluster programmes
across DGs
7. Institutionalise the provision of the cluster
knowledge/data base
8. Enhance European platforms for cluster
collaboration
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7. BACKGROUND
Definitions used by the ECPG
Clusters
Clusters are geographic agglomerations of companies, suppliers, service providers, and
associated institutions in a particular field, linked by externalities and complementarities
of various types
Cluster initiatives
Cluster initiatives are organised efforts taken by actors in a cluster to increase the cluster’s
growth and competitiveness
Cluster programmes
Cluster programmes are organised efforts taken by government to increase the growth
and competitiveness of clusters in its constituency
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8. Tenderix Consulting and Research
Contacts
Address:
Batthyány u. 56. I/5.
H-1015 Budapest
HUNGARY
tel/fax: +36 1 201 55 44
e-mail: info@tenderix.hu
www.tenderix.hu
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