The overall objective of this action is to strengthen cluster management excellence and facilitate exchanges and strategic partnering between clusters and specialised eco-systems and cities across Europe, including through implementation of the “ClusterXchange” mobility scheme. As high quality cluster management and strategic connections between clusters are key  elements of successful world-class clusters, the action aims to foster SME competitiveness and assist companies to successfully access global markets.

The specific objective is to enhance the collaboration, networking and learning of cluster organisations and their members towards the professionalization of specialised and customised business support services provided or channelled to SMEs. This shall further contribute to strengthen ties between European ecosystems and cities across regional and sectoral silos with the view to support a sustainable inter-regional partnering process and joint actions for strategic collaboration in various industrial specialisation areas linked to industrial modernisation and improving their business environment and workforce development.

Actions

The types of expected eligible activities must comprise:

1. Cluster excellence capacity-building activities
   1. Development of cluster management skills towards more added-value SME support services
   2. Developing and implementing a comprehensive portfolio of new services for cluster members
   3. Implementation of joint activities, such as Business2Business (B2B) and Cluster2Cluster (C2C) collaboration
2. Implementation of ‘ClusterXchange’: cluster organisations, SMEs, scaling-up support organisations, training providers, large companies and staff from public authorities and innovation agencies that are active in a cluster
3. Outreach and awareness-raising activities: Awareness-raising of the cluster and partnership activities and their impact within the regions and beyond, including outreach and engagement of the target group of ClusterXchange

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