The different sessions of the European Cluster Conference demonstrated the role of clusters in engaging and strenghtening strategic European value chains. This becomes especially true when clusters join forces and connect as a network of clusters. Indeed, a network of clusters allows SMEs to complement each other along the value chain at European level, while also allowing them to be more attractive at an international scale, thus offering them more market opportunities and negociation strength. A stronger collaboration will also facilitate the attraction of investments, and reduce associated risks.

To defend this statement, different metaclusters from large and strategic European value chains presented their activities and outcomes. These metaclusters represented the automotive, electronics, aerospace and food industries.

However, no large European metacluster had yet been formed for the construction sector, despite it being flagged as the second largest industrial ecosystem in the EU (see here the Transition Pathway for Construction). Based on this observation, the B4P partnership is creating its network of Innovation Clusters (B4PIC), and encourages a closer cooperation between stakeholders from the quadruple helix in the built environment. It has launched a first call for expression of interest in January 2024, and selected 12 first members to join the B4PIC network.

At this occasion, ECTP was represented by its Project Officer Anastasiya Yurchyshyna.