The handbook provides a practical handbook for policy makers to design and succesfully implement cluster policies and programmes. The report moves forward in the field of the development, improvement and fine-tuning of cluster policies and cluster programmes. It reflects the common state-of-the-art thinking of a large number of policy makers and experienced European cluster programme owners.
The Smart Guide is addressed to policy makers and cluster managers engaged in cluster policy making who are interested in monitoring and evaluating the impact of their policies. The objective is to provide them with easy access to knowledge material of high practical value and sound methodological underpinnings, available in a concise and easy to read manner.
The input paper to the Policy Forum provides a mapping of cluster support initatives that invest in cluster development, promote the collaboration among clusters, and support cross-sectoral linkages. Building on this mapping, the report sets out key challenges cluster policy responses to these challenges.
The report provides an overview of national (and some regional) cluster programmes across the EU, Montenegro, Norway, and Turkey. It maps the strategic and industrial focus of the various cluster programmes. The reports assess the extent to which the programmes are embedded in other national economic strategies and identifies the instruments the programes employ to support cluster activities.
The guide provides advice on "how to make better use of clusters for promoting regional industrial modernisation, supporting the growth of SMEs and encouraging smart specialisation". It provides an explanation of what clusters and cluster policy are, their role as well as success factors. It provides examples and highlightes several success stories of programmes, smar clusters, and instruments implemented by regions.
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The INNOSUP initiative addresses the challenge to develop new cross-sectoral industrial value chains across the EU, by building upon the innovation potential of SMEs. The EU needs to support the development of emerging industries, which will provide the growth and employment of the future. The reindustrialisation of the EU's industrial base has to focus on the development of long-term internationally competitive goods and services that require combining different competences and innovative solutions.