The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) has launched an advocacy campaign to recognize the cluster approach as one of the key tools for advancing the Dual-Use and MilTech sectors in Ukraine and the EU.
Kyiv, April 14, 2025 — The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) announces the launch of the Clusters4Defense campaign. The initiative is focused on consolidating the efforts of Ukrainian and Euro-Atlantic clusters, government bodies, donors, and international partners to develop dual-use technologies and defense-industrial innovation ecosystems strategically.
The campaign seeks to position the cluster-based approach as a stable, scalable, and institutional solution to strengthen Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex (DIC), enable the scaling of innovations into serial production, integration into European supply chains and industrial ecosystems, and support the development of export potential.
“Today, the attention of most stakeholders is centered on fast-track solutions — rapid MilTech innovation and scaling of production. Accelerators have become the default tool in that space, and understandably so. However, in a protracted war against authoritarian regimes, and looking ahead to Ukraine’s postwar recovery, we must turn to more systemic instruments. Clusters — regional and sectoral alliances of business, academia, and R&D — focused on industrial ecosystem development, can play a pivotal role in advancing dual-use technologies. The Clusters4Defense initiative is designed to mobilize Ukrainian, and equally importantly, European clusters — where we see immense but still untapped potential for cooperation,” says Oleksandr Yurchak, CEO of UCA.
UCA unites over 40 Ukrainian clusters, with 10 of them specializing in Dual-use and MilTech technologies set to become core participants in the campaign. On the Euro-Atlantic side, the campaign expects participation from clusters in Eastern Europe, the Nordic countries, France, Germany, Spain, and Canada.
The European Cluster Alliance (ECA) — which unites 17 national cluster associations from across the EU (including UCA) — has already expressed support for the campaign, alongside national cluster associations from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania.
Key objectives of the campaign include:
- Strengthening the integration of cluster approaches in Ukrainian State policy and aligning them with pan-European frameworks;
- Establishing international partnerships between Ukrainian and transatlantic clusters;
- Mobilizing funding for joint Ukraine–EU inter-cluster projects.
UCA clusters will present their first proposals and project portfolio during an online meeting with EU clusters on April 16.
Government stakeholders, cluster organizations, donors, foundations, and experts interested in supporting or participating in the campaign are encouraged to contact: info@clusters.org.ua