1. PERSPECTIVE OF CROATIAN CLUSTERS
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
PERSPECTIVE OF CROATIAN CLUSTERS
EU STRATEGY FOR THE DANUBE REGION
“Cluster Networking and Development
Prospects in the Danube Region”
September, 12th 2013 VUKOVAR

2. DEVELOPMENT OF CLUSTERS IN CROATIA
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
DEVELOPMENT OF CLUSTERS IN CROATIA
Cluster DEVELOPING project started in 2005.
“GROUPING FOR SUCCESS”

3. PROJECT RESULTS Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
PROJECT RESULTS
CLUSTERS IN CROATIA
NW Croatian Wood cluster
Croatian textile industry cluster
Bios cluster of graphics
The first Croatian eco-production cluster
Šibenik transport agents
National Family-owned Hotels Association
Pasta producers EIG
Gastro group
Eurocijev (Europipe)
Technointerijeri Cooperative
Croatian shipbuilding industry cluster
TEKSKO network Ltd
Sava basin vegetables
Energy Efficiency Cluster
Istrian transport cluster

4. CHALLENGES FOR CROATIAN CLUSTERS in the first 5 years????
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
CHALLENGES FOR CROATIAN CLUSTERS in
the first 5 years????
cluster management experience, know how?
how to motivate companies?
R&D projects creation and implementation?
cooperation with politics/public authorities
cluster internationalization
cluster financing

5. PART OF THE SOLUTION Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
PART OF THE SOLUTION
Foundation of Affiliation of Clusters within CCE
24 clusters in 2007
56 clusters today
CLUSTER PROFILE :
100 % of clusters have up to 25 members
50% of clusters have been established as associations, 50% as Ltd’s
operating on a local/regional level
covering different branches (industry/services)
sustainibilty secured to max 1-2 years

6. LESSONS LEARNED Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
LESSONS LEARNED
cluster manager does make a difference
companies rely to much on his/her initiative
cooperation culture low
no political support – no regional impact
commercial or not commercial cluster activities?
not enough R&D institutions to cover certain branches/WOOD
financing should be solved on a project bases with support of
local/regional authorities to secure sustainability
succesfull cluster is not financed by industry solely
copy/paste does not function
capacity of support to industry depends on human potential
involved in cluster projects

7. BEST PRACTICE EXPAMPLES
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
BEST PRACTICE EXPAMPLES
INTERNATIONAL CLUSTER NETWORKS
SouthEast and Central European Network of Forest-Based Clusters
Ecorural Network – cluster NET
Southeast Europe Automotive Clusters Network

8. EU PROJECTS by supporting organization
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
EU PROJECTS by supporting organization
Raise the excellence of clusters and clusters organizations
Through cluster benchmarking tools by ECEI according to
EC recommendations
South East Europe Network of Excellence for Cluster Organisations)
Cluster Excellence Network for
Training and Mobility

9. Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
INSTEAD OF CONCLUSION
Regional competetiveness of local companies depends on ability to cooperate on local level.
Global competetiveness of companies depends on ability to cooperate on regional level.

10. CLUSTER OF EXELLENCE DANUBE REGION
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
CLUSTER OF EXELLENCE DANUBE REGION

11. Thank you for your attention!
Affiliation of Clusters within
Croatian Chamber of Economy
Thank you for your attention!
Sandra Hižak, President of the Cluster
Affiliation within the Croatian Chamber of Economy;
Cluster manager of the Wood Cluster of NW Croatia
STRATEGIC SECTORS IDENTIFICATION