European Cluster Observatory
The European Cluster Observatory offers a quantitative analysis of business clusters across all EU countries based on a fully comparable and consistent methodology.
The purpose of the observatory is to inform policy makers, cluster practitioners and researchers, throughout the world about European clusters, cluster policies and cluster initiatives.
The statistical mapping of regional clusters - based on the analysis of employment data - has identified more than 2 000 regional clusters in the EU's 27 countries, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The cluster mapping approach used involves measuring the effects that linkages and spill-overs have on a company's choice of location.
Beyond cluster mapping, the European Cluster Observatory provides information about policies and programmes relating to clusters. In addition, it includes a comprehensive database and mapping of cluster organisations.
The next phase of the European Cluster Observatory's work includes updating and further enriching the existing statistical analysis of clusters, and developing the observatory into a full-fledged information service for enterprises and investors.
The European Cluster Observatory is financed by the Commission in the framework of its Europe INNOVA initiative.
