1. Union of Slovak Clusters New trends in cluster development Daniel Ács

2. some facts established in August 2010 10 members (7 bronze clusters)

3. priorities 1) National cluster policy
to establish environment for clusters in Common Strategic Framework 2014 – (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

4. 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

5. 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
member of working group „Partnership for Cohesion policy“
member of working group „Research and Innovation“ OP

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. EIP – operational groups
Farmers
NGOs
Advisors
Operational
Group
Agri- business
Researchers

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17. 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

18. EIP challenges in Slovakia
To establish Cluster Danube Centre for Integrated Resource Management
RDP – 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

19. president of the Union of Slovak Clusters
... stay with us
Daniel Ács
president of the Union of Slovak Clusters