Evaluation Study MSE Cluster Development - Ministry of Micro ...

Chapter No: 4 – Soft Interventions in Sampled ClustersThe CDE catalyses frequent interaction among the cluster members and also with otherimportant stakeholders in the CDP. Awareness programmes, training sessions and visitsto existing clusters within the country, and outside are, arranged to aid the process ofincreasing awareness of the power of collective interventions that strengthen the clusteras a dynamic entity with immense inert potential for development through cooperation.Soft interventions can be divided into three specific categories that need to besequenced in the following order:4.1.1 Awareness CreationThe first task is to create a high-level awareness and interest of the cluster actors aboutthe various benefits of the Cluster Development Programme. The actors should beexposed to the objectives, the guidelines and norms designed to strengthen collectivebenefits and the effective exploitation of the economies of scale.At this stage, the CDE organises meetings with the actors through their associations andat the individual level. This effectively increases self-confidence and self esteem andremoves various apprehensions and doubts regarding the viability and sustainability ofthe action plan by exposing them to the experiences of other successful cluster initiativesat home.4.1.2 Confidence BuildingHaving created awareness, the Cluster actors need to be exposed to the externalsituation and technological advancements to make them understand the benefits of theadoption of these for the development of their own cluster. The actors need to be told ofthe benefits of coming together through the formation of an SPV. Exposure visits to otherclusters within the country training programmes to enhance the horizon of the actors aresome of the programmes that are undertaken at the second stage. Experts from theseinstitutions also facilitate linkages with the financial, technology and marketinginstitutions, through these visits and through presentations.4.1.3 Capacity BuildingHaving understood the concept of cluster development and need for collectivefunctioning, the cluster actors can then be motivated to form a Special Purpose Vehicle,identify and evaluate the options for setting up the Common Facility Centre, while alsodemocratically choosing the most suitable form of a legally recognised organisation toinitiate common facilities most needed by the cluster. Achieving the highest level ofconsensus about these facilities is most important to harness all the latent collectiveenergy of the cluster.4.2 Soft Interventions under the CDPAll the clusters have carried out activities and programmes related to the creation ofawareness about the Cluster Development Programme. Most of the clusters haveundertaken exposure visits also. The Programmes related to energy efficiency, which hasan important role in improving the productivity of units, particularly so in the secondarygoods based clusters, have been undertaken only in two primary goods based clusters.78