When: November 26
Time: 16:00

The Accelerate GDT project, in which UCA is a participant, continues to explore best practices for cluster development in the EU. On November 26, we will present the experience of ACCIÓ (Catalan Agency for Business Competitiveness), the key policymaker in cluster development in Catalonia.

The experience of such (state-run) agencies is highly relevant for Ukraine. For decades, our clusters were left alone to tackle a range of development challenges, with only rare support from national or regional structures. This situation began to change in 2023–24, with closer relationships and interaction starting at both levels in consolidated cooperation formats. Together, UCA and its clusters, as well as regional community participants, will create effective interaction formats with local authorities. For example, similar relationships have already been established between UCA and regional authorities and local governments in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Poltava, and Odesa regions.

Additionally, within the framework of the Accelerate GDT project, UCA is working jointly with the Ministry of Economy to develop a national cluster policy. In this context, international experience—particularly regarding what support tools to include and how to regulate cluster policy provisions for sustainable cluster development—is at the top of the agenda. Catalonia is one of the EU’s most successful regions in cluster development, with a list of 27 clusters available on the agency’s website.

Webinar Agenda for November 26

• Welcome remarks (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine)
• About ACCIÓ — the role and functions in cluster development
• Regional Cluster Development Program
  • Goals and objectives
  • Support tools
  • Cluster accreditation
  • Key achievements and the role of clusters in regional economic development
• Q&A Session

Key speaker: Joan MARTI ESTEVEZ, Director of ACCIÓ.

We invite heads of departments for industry, economy, innovation, and digitalization of regional military administrations (OVAs), city officials, regional development agencies, chambers of commerce, and cluster representatives.

Start time: November 26, 16:00.
The webinar will be held in English with simultaneous translation.

Moderator: Oleksandr Yurchak.

Reference — Past UCA event reviews on EU cluster programs:

• Review of Hungary’s Cluster Strategy
• Experience of Ireland’s ATIM Cluster in Solving Staffing Issues
• Report on the 1st Visit of UCA and the Ministry of Economy to Turin — Experience Sharing

Registration is required.