Following the successful cycle of 12 events held in the period 2022 – 2023 and a further two scheduled by the end of this year, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, will be coordinating a further 16 European ‘Clusters meet Regions’ workshops throughout 2024 – 2025. 

The objective of this Call for Expression of Interest is to draw a list of up to sixteen (16) national/regional authorities with clusters organisations that commit to organising a European workshop ‘Clusters Meet Regions’ in a specified period.

The European Commission will select particular locations and dates for these workshops based on the criteria presented below and also taking into account political priorities and supply chain problems related to the current geopolitical situation affecting not only the host region but also a critical number of regions in other Member States. 

Each workshop should be helpful for cluster managers and policy makers, resulting in the engagement of clusters in the implementation of regional priorities.

At our ‘Clusters meet Regions’ events, national and regional clusters and policymakers come together to share experiences, secure new partnerships and learn from one another how we can all make better use of clusters to: 

• strengthen our industrial ecosystems, 
• address disruptions in our supply chains, 
• drive the green and digital transition, and 
• build resilience in our regions.  

This call for applications is addressed to any cluster stakeholder who is either actively participating in, or interested in, the economic development of their region. It is open to institutions such as clusters, regional agencies for economic development, and business network groups. Please note that a letter of support from your regional authority is needed if you want to apply. Proposals from national and/or regional authorities are also welcomed. 

The application must be filled out in English. Only submissions that are complete and submitted on time will be evaluated. This Call is an Expression of Interest invitation only. It is not an offer, and the submission of an Expression of Interest does not establish any sort of contract or agreement between the European Commission, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, and the organisation expressing interest in hosting a ‘Clusters meet Regions’ event.

Deadline for submission of the Expression of Interest

This call for expression of interest is continuously open. However, applications will be deemed admissible to be considered for a certain quarter of the year only if they are sent before the respective cut-off date. The selection of the hosting regions will follow up based on the respective cut-off dates:  

- 22 December 2023 – 18:00 CET (Brussels time) - CLOSED

- 31 May 2024 – 18:00 CET (Brussels time)

- 30 September 2024 – 18:00 CET (Brussels time)

- 20 December 2024 – 18:00 CET (Brussels time)

- Potentially, depending on previous selections’ results, 31 January 2025 – 18:00 CET (Brussels time) (tbc)  

Entities that have applied for a cut-off can also be considered for the next selection without the obligation of submitting a new application. They are encouraged to complement their initial proposal. Entities can apply before any cut-off date independently from the proposed dates of the event. Please note, that less demanded periods and months (therefore with higher chances of selection) are: February, March, June, August, first half of September, second & third week of December.

The next deadline for making your application is 31 May 2024, at 18.00 CET (Brussels time).

If you need an inspirational example of what kind of event is desired, you can visit the ECCP website where you will find all the background information of all ‘Clusters meet Regions’ events held in the period 2022-2023, and those scheduled till the end of this year.

If you think you could organise one of these 16 events and you need more information about what to do next, please contact us at: clustersmeetregions [at] clustercollaboration.eu (clustersmeetregions[at]clustercollaboration[dot]eu)

Read the Call for Expression of Interest 

Annex I: Application Form 

Annex II: White Book

The application must be filled out in English. Only submissions that are complete and submitted on time will be evaluated. This Call is an Expression of Interest invitation only. It is not an offer, and the submission of an Expression of Interest does not establish any sort of contract or agreement between the European Commission, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, and the organisation expressing interest in hosting a ‘Clusters meet Regions’ event. For more information on the organisation of a ‘Clusters meet Regions’ event, please read our White Book.