ATCLUSTERS
CLUSTERS IN ATLANTIC AREA
Success from several points of view.
1- From an external point of view, the international partnership keeps on working beyond the project end. A good example of this is that five of the Atclusters partners are managing now a new European project based on clusters (ATC4 Excellence) which looks for the excellence in the cluster management. Moreover, two of the partners prepared a common application for the call “ European Creative Districts”. With regards to the project among clusters it is important to underline the permanent collaboration in the food sector between Portugal Foods and CLUSAGA ( Galicia) and in the creative sector between ADDICT (Portugal) and CLAG (Galicia)
Also the project was very important in order to get to know and to participate in several European networks as ERRIN (European Research & Innovation Network) , ECA (European Cluster Alliance), to strengthen our relation with European organizations (Atlantic Area, DG Industry…) and to improve IGAPE ability to lead collaborative projects.
2- From an internal point of view the Atclusters had an important influence in our relation with the regional clusters.
Firstly, the benchmarking actions provided us a broad knowledge about the European clusters landscape. Secondly, the daily work with the clusters in our region gave rise in a new concept: to work with the clusters as a group with common concerns and common solutions. The need of sharing ideas, knowledge or services resulted in a common infrastructure to host the clusters looking for synergies. Apart from the periodical meetings among them and between them and the regional authorities, there are actions to emphasize in other issues: training for cluster managers (design and procurement); Technology Watch and Competitive Intelligence (working group), cluster services portfolio (elaboration), support in European projects, clusters website, cluster characterization…
From a budgetary point of view. IGAPE is trying to solve the cluster concerns about the minimis aid, by managing the mandatory EU notification to avoid this rule application. Apart from this, the clusters have benefits and discounts in departments such as competitiveness or internationalization.
The project took place organised two major conferences where we tried to integrate all these agents (authorities, clusters, companies…)
