The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, in collaboration with the European Commission, the North-East Regional Development Agency Romania, and the Romanian Cluster Association – CLUSTERO, is proud to announce the Clusters Meet Regions conference and matchmaking event scheduled for November 21-23, 2023, in Iasi, Romania.

The conference aims to delve into the pivotal role of clusters as indispensable partners in shaping, executing, and monitoring regional development policies. It places a special emphasis on smart specialisation, skills for industrial transition, and entrepreneurship. The event will also spotlight international and interregional cluster cooperation, particularly with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, within the broader perspective of the Danube Region.

As part of the “Clusters meet Regions” cycle, 15 regional workshops are being organised in EU regions that expressed interest in hosting such a workshop during 2022-2023. These workshops will bring together clusters and policymakers at national, regional, and local levels to share insights on leveraging clusters to fortify industrial ecosystems, enhance national/regional economic development, and collaborate with regions facing similar transition challenges.

The objectives of the Clusters Meet Regions workshop in Iasi are to reinforce the role of clusters as:

• A reliable interface between macro-regional, national, and regional economic policy actors and their member organizations.
• Catalysts of regional innovation and dual transition processes.
• Channels for providing high added value support services for SMEs.

The event is expected to host 150 representatives from clusters, companies, national and regional public authorities, business support organizations, researchers, civil society, financial intermediaries, innovation agencies, industrial associations, investors, and other related actors from Romania and various European countries.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic exchange that aims to strengthen the collaborative fabric of regional innovation ecosystems. Download the agenda and mark your calendar for the Clusters Meet Regions Conference 2023 in Iasi, Romania.

Registrations are open until 21 November 2023: bit.ly/3uao9vI