Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

2.2.3.4 Instruments
The key element of the program is grant funding for the
operation of a cluster management organization. This includes
financial support for staff and material costs as well
as travel expenses and events. The program also included a
preferential access for clusters to R&D money provided by
a special cluster fund.
In addition to the grant funding the program owner is very
active in accompanying the development of the individual
cluster initiatives through different technical assistance
and advisory measures. Meetings with cluster managers
are held every two months to discuss challenges and progress
of the clusters; in addition all cluster managers gather
with the program owner for several days at an annual break
away. The program owner also relies on external consultancy
services, e.g. a workshop on internationalization activities
for cluster managers.
2.2.3.5 Results and Impact of the Program
The program is evaluated on a regular basis. An evaluation
is currently underway to analyze the performance of
the cluster organizations and to provide guidance for the
further development of the program until 2015. The midterm
evaluation of 2008 attests a good performance of the
program. After two years of support the majority of the cluster
organizations had yielded results in terms of the establishment
of network structures and improved collaboration
between industry stakeholders. The clusters played also
an important role for the local respectively regional economic
development. 37
According to the program owners the program shows good
results in terms of the growth of the clusters (which reflects
their attractiveness for economic and research players),
new products, services and/or processes as well as growth
of turnover of companies (see figure below).
Growth of the cluster
(new memberships)
R&D investments of companies
4
3
2
New products, services
and/or processes
1
Skills development
of cluster members
0
Growth of turnover
of companies
International activities
of cluster members
Growth of employment
0 = results are poor ==> 4 = results are excellent
Missing values are due to the fact that there is no evidence available yet.
This does not mean that there are no effects at all.
Figure 28: Results of the program that were achieved in 2009
37 Fraunhofer Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung, 2008: Zwischen-Evaluation der
Cluster-Offensive Bayern. Abschlussbericht Dezember 2008
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