The European Cluster Conference 2024, organised by the European Commission with the support of the Belgian regions, took place at the Square Conference Centre in Brussels, gathering an impressive turnout of nearly 700 participants, including hundreds of cluster organisations, regional and national policymakers, SMEs, and researchers for one and a half days of impactful discussions on the role of industrial clusters in implementing EU industrial policy objectives. Featuring an exhibition with 70 booths and a matchmaking event with more than 800 meeting requests, the 9th edition of the event was an opportunity to capture the insights of numerous participants and almost 60 speakers. These were some of the main outcomes:

Building EU value chains through clusters

“We need to create new types of collaboration to face the current challenges. Clusters can do it: it is our lifeblood.”

-          Christian Ketels, Senior Advisor of House of Governance at Stockholm Schools of Economics

In the opening panel session of the Conference, speakers highlighted the importance of deepening the linkages between policymakers and clusters, flagging the need for new types of public-private partnerships to deliver on the twin transition and build resilience. They highlighted that supporting partnerships among clusters is one of the key ways of building value chains across Europe, which is crucial to ensure the EU’s economic security, diversify supply chains, and generate investment spillovers.

Clusters as hotspots for investments

“As an SME, you have easier access to finance if you are in a cluster.”

-          Véronique Willems, Secretary-General of SMEUnited

During the Conference, speakers also delved into the topic of investments, stating that clusters are natural hotspots to attract investments: they have the critical mass, strong track-records in innovation, and the stability and reliability sought by private investors. This is particularly important for start-ups, as clusters can help reduce uncertainties. At the same time, speakers conveyed that clusters are well-placed to leverage private investments with public funding.

Clusters as accelerators of the green and digital transition

“Clusters are at the core of Europe’s industrial agenda”.”

-          Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market

The official opening of this year’s Conference was marked by a video message by Commissioner Breton, where he underscored the role of clusters in building the best possible project pipelines for the twin transition, in identifying strategic projects under the Net-zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act and in becoming net-zero acceleration valleys. He described clusters as strategic drivers of change, capable of supporting the twin transition by sharing knowledge beyond borders, addressing investment needs, and tackling skills shortages by connecting companies with training providers.

The European Cluster Conference 2024 offered participants the chance to contribute to the EU’s industrial policy dialogue and showcase their concrete actions to roll out the twin transition, strengthen resilience, and boost competitiveness, whilst also raising awareness about the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, the EU’s main hub for cluster organisations in Europe. More information about this year’s edition can be found here.