Regional clustering and networking as innovation drivers

Industrial clusters are considered to be a key element for driving innovation and thereby for strengthening European competitiveness. This is reflected in the increasing attention national and regional innovation policy makers pay to developing and implementing cluster policies. The IRE cluster working group aims to create a continuous learning process amongst IRE member regions of how cluster initiatives can be stimulated, developed and promoted, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public support to cluster initiatives by improving the integration of both policy makers and practitioners in the process, and contribute to the development of new approaches and tools. The objectives of the group are:

• To create a network of 15 regions with interest in cluster-based strategies for innovation and economic development;
• To deliver a regional cluster policy wisdom report based on the experiences of the group members and on the work of the group;
• To identify and describe successful cluster schemes and strategies and provide recommendations for regional policy making in Europe in this domain.