Union of Slovak Clusters New trends in cluster development Daniel Ács info@uksk.sk

some facts established in August 2010 10 members (7 bronze clusters) www.uksk.sk

priorities 1) National cluster policy to establish environment for clusters in Common Strategic Framework 2014 – 2020 (cluster as an eligible applicant of EU funds) 2) Networking and international partnerships support of clusters for international projects within the Danube Strategy transfer of information and knowledge from EU cluster policies and projects support of cluster internationalisation a partnership development promotion of clusters and their projects in international networks www.uksk.sk

UKS involved in 4 international projects: ClusterPoliSEE – South-East Europe Programme CluStrat – Central Europe Programme NoGap – 7FP INCO – technology transfer V4 clusters – International Visegrad Fund www.uksk.sk

activities Danube Strategy Programming period 2014 -2020 SC member of Priority area 8 „Competitiveness and cluster development “ member of the National committee for Priority area 7 „Knowledge society“ Programming period 2014 -2020 member of working group „Partnership for Cohesion policy“ member of working group „Research and Innovation“ OP 2014-2020 www.uksk.sk

Cluster policy recommendations differentiated cluster policy and programme approaches (regional vs world class clusters) each region/country should develop their own cluster policy and integrated cluster development strategy supported by appropriate cluster programme, clusters the right arenas for emerging industries and grand societal challenges sustainable cluster-support (5-10 years) different funding schemes (immature, mature clusters and clusters in transition) Internationalisation (many different forms) evaluation, benchmarking, monitoring of clusters – Quality labelling (ECEI), Cluster League, key performance indicators – selective cluster policy www.uksk.sk

Clusters in new era comprehensive and modern service industry platform contributing to economic growth through smart specialisation strategies (RIS3) internationally competitive (world class clusters) hubs for innovations - integration of innovative SMEs into clusters startup ecosystem (co-work spaces, incubators, talent pools) angel investor environment www.uksk.sk

Role of clusters helpful, efficient and responsive to clients needs business driven and looking for business potentials government driven (societal challenges) including e.g. JRC Scientific support to the Danube Strategy from startups to multinationals (companies created/ supported, jobs created, …) encourage local young people to follow their dreams and start their own venture (Simon Galpin, InvestHK) www.uksk.sk

Clusters in EU policies H2020 (..., EIT, EIP, ...) COSME/EASME Danube Programme OP Central Europe INTERREG European Innovation Partnership www.uksk.sk

European Institute of Innovation and Technology EIT European Institute of Innovation and Technology (Knowledge and Innovation Communities - KIC) CLIMATE - Climate change mitigation and adaptation INNO ENERGY – Sustainable Energy ICT Labs - Future Information and Communication Technologies HEALTH - Healthy living and active ageing (2014) RAW MATERIALS - Sustainable exploration, extraction, processing, recycling and substitution (2014) Get ready for 2016 FOOD for FUTURE www.uksk.sk

EIP context Europe 2020 Strategy: Crucial role of research and innovation in preparing the EU for the future challenges CAP reform package gives innovation a key role for sustainable agriculture and rural development The “Budget for Europe 2020" foresees 4.5 billion Euros for research and innovation in the field of food security, bio-economy and sustainable agriculture The Europe 2020 flagship initiative "Innovation Union" specifies European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) as a new tool for fostering innovation www.uksk.sk

EIP context The EIP shall provide challenge-driven solutions based on: interlinking existing innovation-related measures and initiatives facilitating communication among stakeholders and creating workable links between science and practice providing EU value added through networking and enhancing complementarity achieving synergies and enhancing effectiveness of existing instruments using a lean governance structure, based on existing mechanisms www.uksk.sk

Active and Healthy Ageing Water Raw Materials EIP objectives Active and Healthy Ageing Water Raw Materials Smart Cities and Communities Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability Efficient, productive, climate and environment friendly agriculture Steady supply of of food, feed and biomaterials, both existing and new ones Improved processes to preserve the environment, adapted to climate change and mitigation Building bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge and technology and farmers, businesses and advisory services www.uksk.sk

Rural Development Programmes: EIP implementation Rural Development Programmes: Cooperation (establishing “operational groups”) Pilot and demonstration projects Knowledge transfer and advisory services Investment European Union Research Policy (Horizon 2020) Research projects enhancing the knowledge base Clusters of innovation actions and multi-actor projects Support for innovation brokers and innovation centres On-farm experiments www.uksk.sk

EIP – operational groups Farmers NGOs Advisors Operational Group Agri- business Researchers www.uksk.sk

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EIP Network Research & Innovation Framework: Research projects Multi-actor projects Innovation brokers Thematic networks Steering Board European Innovation Partnership ‚Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability ‘ EIP Network Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) Rural Development Network Steering Group Horizon 2020 Programme Committee Rural Development Committee ETPs, ERA-Nets, JPIs, etc. Rural Development Policy: Cooperation Knowledge transfer Pilot projects Advisory services Investment Operational Groups Member States Programmes Operational Groups Farmers . Advisers . Enterprises . Scientists. NGOs

EIP challenges in Slovakia To establish Cluster Danube Centre for Integrated Resource Management RDP 2014-2020 – development of innovation project/s through cooperation Link with AgroBioTech Centre including Technology Transfer Centre - Danube Technology Transfer Centre (DS flagship) Cooperation with JRC - Research for policy makers (water, land and soil nexus) Using Danube Programme to network within Danube region Danube EIP network to apply for Horizon 2020 research projects Link to European EIP Network www.uksk.sk

president of the Union of Slovak Clusters ... stay with us Daniel Ács president of the Union of Slovak Clusters prezident@uksk.sk www.uksk.sk