1. Meeting of the Working Party on Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Cooperation Brussels, 15.11.2011
Framework for Promoting Cluster Cooperation with South Mediterranean Countries
Hélène-Diane Dage, Deputy Head of Unit
Support to Industrial Innovation Unit

2. Promoting Cluster Excellence to Facilitate Cluster Cooperation
Clusters play an important role in the EU to support group of SMEs on various aspects such as access to finance, access to new markets, IPR, and facilitation of research and business partnerships
Cluster organisations are instrumental to provide customised support services to SMEs and facilitate cooperation with strategic partners
Cluster cooperation starts with strong clusters organisations
A number of tools have been developed at EU level to promote excellence in cluster management
What works well in Europe could also be used and promoted in South Mediterranean countries: there is scope for valorising tools in cluster management in Med countries.

3. Framework for Cluster Cooperation
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP)
an open online platform rich in information and services
an efficient tool to learn from others and share experience
a marketing portal to increase international visibility of clusters
Generate new cooperation opportunities between cluster organisations/cluster firms within Europe and beyond Europe
Memorandum of Understandings promoting international cluster cooperation signed between the ECCP and
The European Business and Technology Centre (New Dehli, India) – Dec. 2010
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Tokyo) – Feb. 2011
The Permanent Work Group on Local Productive Systems, Ministry of Industry (Brazil) – May 2011
The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (Seoul) – Oct. 2011

4. Cluster Cooperation with South Mediterranean Countries
Scope for signing MoU on cluster cooperation - first step with Tunisia and Egypt in 2012
Identification of areas with largest potential for cooperation between clusters eg. renewable energy and clean-tech, creative industries and tourism.
International match-making events for cluster organisations –
Plan to organise 5 match-making events between European clusters and international partners outside Europe
Building upon MoUs signed by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform
Identification of a host to facilitate the organisation of the event
Mapping and profiling of cluster activities from Europe and third countries in the seclected strategic area

5. European Cluster Collaboration Platform:
For more information
European Cluster Collaboration Platform: