What is a cluster?
Clusters are groups of inter-related industries, SMEs and organisations whose links with each other improve their overall competitiveness. They can be each other’s customers, suppliers, researchers, partners or competitors. They are clustered in certain geographical regions. The most prominent industry clusters in Europe are in the automotive, wood, nanotechnology, plastic, ICT, food and energy industries. Cluster initiatives are organised regional sectoral networks among different economic partners in order to improve innovation performance and international competitiveness.

What is CLOE?
CLOE – Clusters Linked Over Europe - is a co-operation project between fifteen European regions set up with the aims of sharing experience, establishing close co-operation and learning from each other in the area of cluster management.

What are the main goals?
The objectives of CLOE are to enable those regions with a common interest in cluster-building techniques and in the fostering of cluster relationships to (i) to meet and jointly develop processes and methodologies for the establishment and management of clusters and networks; and (ii) to develop business opportunities for companies within and between the clusters.

CLOE as pilot project of ”Regions for economic change” initiative by DG Regio CLOE activities have been highly recognised by European Commission and thus the network was selected to be one of the pilot projects under DG Regio’s newly created “Regions for economic change” initiative. Under this pilot action CLOE will expand to seven new regions mainly from new EU Member States.

What kind of activities?
During its first three years of operation, CLOE developed a Cluster Management Guide for regional authorities and cluster managers. The guide identified good practices, methods, tools and processes for setting up and managing clusters in regions.

In the coming year, CLOE partners will transfer this knowledge and experience to new regions that have joined the network. Four thematic workshops will be organised to give the opportunity for partners to learn from case studies. Workshops will be centred around the know-how presented in CLOE Cluster Management Guide and participation of cluster companies will be encouraged.

One of the central activities of CLOE is the development of regional (cluster) action plans, including the investment needs to implement the plan for the regions that joined the network in 2007. In addition, stuff exchanges and study visits will be organised.

Which regions participate?
Originally CLOE sought co-operation between seven regions in Europe: Karlsruhe (Germany), Lyon (France), Värmland (Sweden), Upper Austria (Austria), Tartu (Estonia), Timisoara (Romania) and Kaliningrad (Russia). In 2005 a new partner from Nottingham (UK) became the member and in 2007 seven new regions from Central Eastern Europe joined CLOE network. These regions are Banska Bystrica (Slovakia), Ostrava (Czech Republic), West Pannon (Hungary), Sofia (Bulgaria), Vilnius (Lithuania), Kranj and Maribor (Slovenia).

How much money – and whose money?
CLOE is an activity of the EU’s INTERREG IIIC programme. The project lasts for almost four years (July 2004–March 2008). Its total budget is €2.3 million which has been partly financed from INTERREG IIIC and partly from national budgets.

What is INTERREG IIIC?
INTERREG IIIC is an EU-funded programme helping European regions to form partnerships to work together on common projects. The programme enables regions to share knowledge and experience that will help them to develop new solutions for economic, social and environmental challenges. www.interreg3c.net

CLOE for cluster managers, regional authorities and politicians
If you are in charge of an industry cluster in Europe, or if you are dealing with the development of clusters in your region or Europe in general, then CLOE invites you to TAKE PART in its networking activities, TO JOIN IN and to SHARE THE EXPERIENCE with other managers all over Europe and beyond. For you:

• CLOE is developing a European standard in cluster management by going one step further from best practice in managing the clusters and integrating the different expertise of its network partners.
• All European regions will profit from the expertise gathered in the Cluster Management Guide that will be developed by CLOE.
• Regions from new EU Member States will gain know-how and experience from CLOE regions in areas of cluster management. Regional action plans will be designed for each new CLOE network member.

CLOE for businesses
Cluster companies operating within the same industry in different regions can benefit from improved co-operation and exchange of expertise within their specific industry to avoid “reinventing the wheel“. For businesses operating in clusters of CLOE partner organisations, participating in CLOE activities will help you:

• through CLOE networks and networking events (industry workshops) to find new business partners and business opportunities in other European regions.
• to create synergies with other companies operating in your industry in Europe.
• to access information about potential partners in other industries and the best way to manage business in your area through the database of CLOE companies.
• last but not least, to promote your business internationally through a joint international marketing strategy of all CLOE clusters and thus to make your business more visible to potential international investors.

CLOE for international concerns
If you are looking for a business partnership in a specific industry in Europe or for the best location for your business operation in Europe:

• CLOE is your best and most effective information channel to find business and investment opportunities in seven fast developing cluster regions in Europe.
• CLOE is also your best solution for finding potential business partners in developing areas of European industry areas.
• CLOE has the information, know-how and contacts with the most developed clusters in Europe in such industries as automotives, wood, nanotechnology, ICT, plastics, biotechnology, textiles, energy, food, health and packaging.