Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

and regular meetings between program owners and cluster
managers. “Competence Networks Germany” is the only
program that provides no grant funding, but only technical
assistance for cluster management organizations through
different workshops, working groups, benchmarking, matchmaking
but also individual services.
In most cases where programs provide technical assistance
this was done right from the start of the program being a part
of the program strategy. Programs that do not provide technical
assistance are either considering this (e.g. the Icelandic
Strategic Research Program for Centres of Excellence and Research
Clusters) or have to rely on other institutions that are
not directly affiliated with the program (e.g. the French program
Grappe d’enterprises).
The extent to which technical assistance can be provided depends
on the resources available to the programs. While Competence
Networks Germany can rely on more than 15 people
to organize trainings and workshops, other programs have
smaller resources available which in turn results into a less frequent
and rather small-scale provision of technical assistance.
NAME OF THE PROGRAM FUNDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (E.G. PROVISION OF
TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES)
Innovation Networks Denmark X X
Competence Networks Germany
X
Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE) X X
Arena Program X X
Vinnväxt X X
Regional Cluster Program X X
OSKE – Centres of Expertise Program
X
SHOK – Strategic Centres for Science, Technology
and Innovation
X
Polish Cluster Support X X
Cluster Offensive Bayern X X
Cluster Policy Strategy of Hamburg
Regional Growth Agreements (Vaxtarsamningur)
X
X
Strategic Research Program for Centres of Excellence
and Research Clusters
Grappe d’enterprises
Corallia – Hellenic Technology Clusters Initiative
(Aid Measure for Microelectronics and Embedded
Systems)
X
X
X
n.a.
Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand –
Netzwerkprojekte (ZIM NEMO)
X
Table 12: Instruments of cluster programs
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