EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - CADSES INCLUD promoting industrial cluster development- Lombardia, IT.

CADSES INCLUD promoting industrial cluster development- Lombardia, IT.

Introduction

INCLUD is primarily aimed at promoting the clustering model, successfully experienced in Italy and Austria, in the Eastern European countries participating in the project. The main idea is to implement the clustering model in territorial areas where, according to industrial potential, socio-economic and organisational-institutional characteristics, the model could be effectively tested.

Description

The clustering model of production organisation can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow and innovate. The INCLUDE project stimulates and promotes networks between SMEs, between SMEs and institutions and between SMEs, universities and research centres. The cluster model can be effective in particular in transition regions, such as the ones belonging to Central and Eastern Europe, which are located in EU new Member States and candidate countries, where the lack of networks prevents SMEs development.

The regions where the project is implemented, which include also EU new Member States and candidate countries regions, are characterised by strong disparities of development in comparison with the rest of European Member States. In Central and Eastern Europe regions local SMEs are very weak, have a low specialisation rate, difficult access to finance and few entrepreneurship networks. Therefore, in a worldwide competitive environment which requires innovation and capacity of trade, SMEs face difficulties of growth. To overcome this problem, the implementation of industrial networks to exchange information and know-how at transnational level can represent an effective solution.

Participants

The Programme partners are:

Lombardia Region (Italy) (Lead Partner)
Bologna Municipality (Emilia Romagna Region, Italy)
San Daniele Municipality (Friuli Venezia-Giulia Region, Italy)
Pescara (Abruzzo Region, Italy)
Ancona (Marche Region, Italy)
St. Polten (Land Niederoesterreich, Austria)
Eco Plus - Niederoesterreich Regionale Entwicklungsagentur (Austria)
Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodship (Poland)
Central Hungary Regional Development Agency (Hungary)
Romanian Centre for Economic policies (Romania)
Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (Bulgaria)
Association of Innovative Entrepreneurship (Czech Republic).

Network lead

Lombardia Region.

Objectives

The aims of the project are as follows:

reduce disparities between EU regions by promoting economic development and social cohesion
encourage the development of organisations (i.e. Chambers of trade, Agencies for development, Entrepreneurship Associations, etc) to stimulate the creation of networks and exchange information and know-how between the regions involved in the project, with the intent of supporting SMEs
build up transnational networks of cooperation involving the project’s partners
introduce innovative policies for industrial development
support the internationalisation process of SMEs
enhance the existing regional clusters.

Products

The following results have been produced:

a detailed database (structured for regions and companies) and a country report for each participating country
identification and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis of potential clusters to be developed in new Member States and candidate countries
selection of clusters
research and analysis of the legislative framework as regards SMEs internationalisation in the project’s EU new Member States and candidate countries
construction of a website to facilitate communication between the project’s partners.

EU involvement

The contribution from the ERDF is 1.2. million euros.

Contact info

Ministry for Infrastructure
Ms. Daniela Versino

Links

The Italian Ministry for Infrastructure (in Italian)The project website The CADSES Programme website

Document type

network

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Research & innovation

Keywords

Implementation & production