CIP Call 2013/2014 - 3rd Training Week

Train-the-Trainers Programme: regional Cluster Initiatives continue to take shape

The 3rd week of the Train-the-Trainers programme came to a close last week. It brought the sense that real progress is taking shape for the Cluster Initiatives launched within the nine-month Cluster ExcellenceManagement programme.

This part of the course used workshops and teamwork to further develop participants' capacity and capability in implementing Cluster Management strategies towards specific regional economic initiatives. A platform was created that pushed boundaries past discussing economic and cluster developmental theories, towards plans for real action, bridging the gap between strategy and implementation. 

In a world where policy does not always meet practical implications, this training programme offers an essential junction where policy is used within realistic expectations. On the field, positive local economic development is made possible through the application of the various strategic tools discovered in class. Also, while sharing knowledge and expertise from peers hailing from all over Europe, participants develop insight, self-confidence, and the ability to formulate a comprehensive strategic diagnosis. 

In teaching standard tools and a methodology to promote regional competitiveness that leverages on economic clusters, the Foundation's goal is to allow for more prosperity, for more "shared value". Healthy communities of SMEs, healthy clusters, make for healthy regions.

CIP Call 2013/2014 - 2nd Training Week

The latest training programme on Cluster Management goes on with an intense second training week

Barcelona hosted the second week of the Train-the-Trainers Programme 2014. The new intake of international participants completed the additional academic modules designed to promote Cluster Excellence Management.

Pursuant to their first training week of May, 42 participants from across Europe have completed a new and intense week, part of of a nine-month training programme in Cluster Excellence Management. 

During the week the participants from 10 different countries furthered their knowledge through new academic modules in Cluster Excellence Management following the Foundation’s methodology. They also reflected on cases studies describing successful Cluster Initiatives, such as the "Montreal circus cluster", the "Avocado industry in Chile" or the "Textile case in Catalonia". 

The programme which combines 6 weeks of intense in-class training with a hands-on, practical experience, in managing a regional cluster initiative, was developed under the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) with co-funding from the European Commission.

This six-week programme will continue with a new training week scheduled next September and taking place in in Barcelona. Meanwhile, the alumni will keep-on training through advanced teamwork placed under the supervision of tutors from the Foundation.

Interestingly enough, most participants from the previous CIP Call 2011 programme successfully embarked as Cluster Excellence Management trainers in their respective regions. Emulating from their predecessors, participants of the current course are expected to take the same successful route.

First Cluster Excellence Training in Turkey

The First Cluster Excellence Management Training in Turkey Completed Successfully  

The Aegean Exporters' Associations welcomed Prof. Antoni Subira, President of the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence, to the closing event of the first Cluster Excellence Management training ever held in Turkey.

After 6 months of intensive work - both classroom-based and on-the-field - with participants hailing from Ministries, Regional Development Agencies, Cluster Organisations and Chambers of Commerce & Industry from across Turkey, the Aegean Exporters’ Associations trainers imparted the last week of the course in Izmir. Participants received their certification as Cluster Excellence Managers from the Foundation.  

With the presence and valuable contribution of Prof. Antoni Subira, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Catalan Government and President of the Foundation, participants had the opportunity to learn from his extensive knowledge and experience in top-level cluster policy.

Set-up and mostly delivered by Associate Trainers in Cluster Excellence from the Aegean Exporters’ Associations, the training concluded on the 6th of June 2014. Other international contributors to the final week’s programme included Alberto Pezzi from ACC1O - on continuous policy input and evaluation - and Werner Pamminger from Clusterland Upper Austria - on project management - both of them accredited professors of the Foundation.