HBio participates in ECRI study visit in Piedmont, Italy.
HBio together with three other European life science clusters that participate in the COSME-funded “Excellence Cluster for Regional Improvement” (ECRI) project performed a study visit on November 23 and 24 in the area of Piedmont, Italy. The project partners come from four different countries with a different level of cluster excellence. The four consortia members are Bioib (Cluster biotecnològic i biomèdic de les Illes Balears); KLK (Klaster LifeScience Krakow); bioPmed (Piedmont Innovation Cluster); and HBio (Hellenic BioCluster). The common objective of the ECRI project is to improve the performance of the four consortium clusters, achieve and maintain cluster excellence in order to strengthen the competitiveness of their actors and foster trans-cluster cooperation.
The study visit was hosted at the premises of the Environment Park of Torino and was part of the training activities foreseen by the ECRI project in order to foster exchange of best practices regarding cluster management. The participants were first informed about the cluster policy of the regional authorities of Piedmont by Vincenzo Zezza (Director General for the Competitiveness of the Regional Innovation System). The region of Piedmont was the first to launch a cluster policy in Italy. The clusters serve as regional innovation agencies that offer business development services and promote technology transfer, sharing of facilities, exchange of knowledge and competences among the innovation actors of the local ecosystem (SMEs, large companies, research institutes).
Additionally, the study visit included presentations from the following regional clusters:
- Clever – Energy and Clean Technologies Cluster
- MESAP – Smart Products and Manufacturing Cluster
- Torino Wireless – ICT and Multimedia Innovation Cluster
- C-Green Green Chemistry and Advanced Materials Cluster
The presentations were followed by open discussion, identification of best practices and reflection on the actual situation of each cluster initiative. The discussion was focused on topics such as activities and services for members, strategic and operational collaborations, income streams and member engagement.
For more information about the ECRI Project click here.
