The overall objective of this action is to strengthen cluster management excellence and facilitate exchanges and strategic partnering between clusters and specialised eco-systems and cities across Europe, including through implementation of the “ClusterXchange” mobility scheme.
As high quality cluster management and strategic connections between clusters are key elements of successful world-class clusters, the action aims to foster SME competitiveness and assist companies to successfully access global markets.
The specific objective is to enhance the collaboration, networking and learning of cluster organisations and their members towards the professionalization of specialised and customised business support services provided or channelled to SMEs.
The types of expected eligible activities must comprise supporting the development of cluster management skills, new services for cluster members and the organisation of twinning, collaboration, networking and learning activities as well as joint activities for implementing business-to-business (B2B) and cluster-to-cluster (C2C) collaboration projects. It must also include the implementation of “ClusterXchange” by facilitating the promotion, recruitment, matching and follow-up of short-term exchanges from cluster organisations, SMEs, training providers, scaling-up support organisations, large companies and staff from public authorities and innovation agencies that are active in a cluster from a COSME participating country. These are to be further supported by outreach and awareness-raising activities.