Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

There is only one cluster program, the “Cluster Offensive Bayern”,
which follows a dedicated top-down approach. Both the
industry areas in which clusters are supported as well as the
organizations that are responsible for the development of the
cluster were chosen by the ministry prior to the start of the
program. However, in terms of their operations the cluster
organizations act without interference from the supervising
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and
Technology.
3.2.5 INSTRUMENTATION
Grant funding is the main instrument of nearly all cluster
programs, while technical assistance for capacity develment
of cluster management organizations and its members is applied
by only half of the programs (see Table 12). All program
owners agreed that the provision of funding is not sufficient
to develop cluster management organizations that are capable
to drive the sustainable development of a cluster.
However, not all program owners provide technical assistance
for capacity development (e.g. through trainings and
consultancy services) that goes beyond internet platforms
NAME OF THE PROGRAM TOP-DOWN BOTTOM-UP
Innovation Networks Denmark X X
Competence Networks Germany n.a. n.a.
Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE)
Arena Program
X
X
Vinnväxt X X
Regional Cluster Program
OSKE – Centres of Expertise Program
SHOK – Strategic Centres for Science,
Technology and Innovation
Polish Cluster Support
Cluster Offensive Bayern
X
X
X
X
X
X
Cluster Policy Strategy of Hamburg X X
Regional Growth Agreements (Vaxtarsamningur)
Strategic Research Program for Centres
of Excellence and Research Clusters
X
X
Grappe d’enterprises
Corallia – Hellenic Technology Clusters
Initiative (Aid Measure for Microelectronics
and Embedded Systems)
Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand
– Netzwerkprojekte (ZIM NEMO)
X
X
X
X
Table 11: Strategic approach: top-down or bottom-up
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