Clusters and their rationale Clusters are simply projects grouped by theme, in order to have a greater impact While each project is typically multi-sided, and can indeed have a substantial effect Bringing several projects together around the same theme can result in a much stronger impact –Both scientifically –And for policy Gives multiple perspectives on problems, one of the great strengths of European-level research in our field Building the European Research Area –A cluster of 12 projects has ±100 partner institutions

The development of the clusters (1) The projects of each programme (e.g. FP5) are grouped, but also draw on relevant projects from overlapping programmes (e.g. FP4, FP6) Grouping: –Both bottom-up - natural clustering, in terms of problems being addressed –Top-down - according to the importance of the problems for policy

Key Action clusters (FP5)

Development of the clusters (2) Different levels – often below the level shown A range of possibilities: –At its most banal, the results of the projects are simply presented side-by-side –But it can go right up to engaging someone/group to animate a cluster, getting projects to engage with each other Compare findings, methodologies, data issues, theoretical/conceptual approaches Complementary –Country coverage –Sectoral coverage –Methodologies (quantitative/qualitative, …)

A real example, from 4th Framework Prog. (TSER) Unemployment, Work and Welfare cluster (UUWCLUS) –14 projects, coordinated by D. Gallie Concluding dialogue workshop on labour market activation policies –Attended by Social Protection Committee (member state representatives) –Sessions chaired by managers from DG Employment and Social Affairs –Strong conclusions, based on high quality comparative research, ranging from psychology to large quantitative analyses –Critique of existing and emerging policies: incentivisation of the unemployed, activation policies, workfare –Book, Resisting Marginalization: Unemployment Experience and Social Policy in the European Union, ed. D. Gallie, Oxford UP, 2004 Other clusters undertaken: innovation, education & training, social exclusion, families & welfare (FP4 & FP5)

From FP4 to FP6 - Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society The thematic structures of the programmes have changed –In FP5, topics more intertwined than the TSER, which had a tree structure Reflecting the greater ambition and the complexity of the problems in society Each project usually in more than one cluster –FP6: major build-up of governance, citizenship, identity, etc., further attempts at addressing more complex problems: e.g. socio-economic development models, knowledge in society –New instruments introduced Some of these, particularly some NoEs, have a number of similarities with the clusters and involve a very large number of partners, Though not all appear to have quite the same ambition in policy terms, though they often do in scientific terms In our FP6 Work Programme : a budget of 3M to develop clusters, using calls for tender –Mainly Key Action projects, but not only … We are very much open to ideas, and encourage you to send any ideas for clustering or their development to us

Resources On our Web site: http: // –Database of projects - searchable, with links –The clusters in the structure shown here available there (Key Action) –Links to existing cluster Web sites (TSER), e.g.