Context and Challenges

The macroregion stretching from the North and Baltic to Black and Adriatic seas  faces common geoeconomic and security challenges: aggressive policies of non-regional actors, hybrid warfare threats, cyberattacks, and energy blackmail. At the same time, the macro-region brings together countries with shared histories, similar security needs, and rapidly growing innovation ecosystems in the defense industry and dual-use technologies.

The idea of regional cluster cooperation already has its foundations. In March 2023, clusters from 6 countries  (Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Ukraine) signed the Clusters Partnership for Ukraine Memorandum. In 2024, the Clusters4Defense initiative, developed by the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance, provided a strategic framework for strengthening the role of clusters and business associations in transforming the Dual-use/MilTech sectors in Ukraine and integrating them into European value chains.

Against this backdrop, the Intermarium Clusters for Security & Innovations (ICSI) Joint Platform  is seen as the first practical implementation of this strategy at the multilateral level. It represents the first institutional case of a new regional model of cooperation based on a cluster-driven approach across the Intermarium.

Vision of consolidation: Intermarium Clusters for Security & Innovation

Intermarium Clusters for Security & Innovation (ICSI) is an initiative aimed at uniting national and regional technology clusters from Northern, Central and Eastern Europe (including Ukraine) to:

• jointly develop and scale up dual-use technologies (aerospace, UAVs / UGVs, AI, cybersecurity, EW, robotics);
• create a shared market, pilot programs, and certification mechanisms;
• build new cross-border supply chains;
• collectively advocate within EU, NATO, JEF, and Ukraine’s recovery programs.
  

ICSI Joint Platform (JP) serves as an institutional tool for implementing the strategic objectives of the Clusters4Defense campaign, reflecting its three-tier approach —geopolitical, institutional, and geoeconomical.

The JP will enable joint efforts by specialized/niche clusters and associations of companies and experts in mechanical engineering, aerospace, radio-electronics, and other industrial sectors, along with R&D networks and universities. The goal is to strengthen international cooperation, enhance dual-use product development, production and marketing — both domestically and abroad — and support effective public-private partnerships in the security-industrial domain.

Preconditions and Opportunities

The platform addresses key systemic gaps identified by Ukrainian technology clusters and industry groups: fragmented innovation infrastructure, weak integration into international value chains, limited access to financing, and export restrictions.

At the same time, new opportunities arise to empower clusters and business alliances across the Balto-Black Sea region — as the basis of an innovative defense economy, creating the military industrial and innovative dimensions of the “Eastern Shield of the EU.”

Geopolitical drivers: A potential reduction of U.S. security commitments in Europe has already triggered increased defense mobilization among EU member states, expanded defense budgets, and stronger integration efforts.

Leadership of the region: Most countries in the Balto-Black Sea region share similar positions on how to respond to Russian aggression. The Danish model of defense co-financing for Ukraine is becoming a benchmark across the EU.

Foundation of prior efforts: Growth of the private defense sector, emergence of new venture funds (Freedom Fund VC, Nezlamni, D3), and the activation of programs like Brave1 and Defence Builder.

Shared constraints: Limited domestic demand, export restrictions, mobilization risks, fragmented markets, and barriers to cluster participation.

Shared motivation: Positioning in the emerging European security architecture and the creation of dual-use driven economies.

Ukraine’s pilot role: A unique real-world testing ground where globally significant technologies are being developed and refined, backed by a strong dual-use/MilTech innovation ecosystem.

The information about ICSI JP will be communicated by UCA representatives at the series of events during April – May 2025, such as the Carpathian Sea Forum (April), Krakow EUDIS accelerator (May), Czech-Ukrainian Aerospace Forum (Prague, May), MilTech Forum (Vilnius, May), and European Industry Days (Rzeszów, June).

How to Join

Clusters, business support organizations and RTO’s networks from countries from Scandinavia to Black and Adriatic Seas are invited to join ICSI JP. Together, we can amplify our shared influence in shaping a regional dual-use innovation market, enhance defense capabilities across the Eastern flank of Europe, and stabilize national economies through industrial cooperation.

For more information and to express interest, please contact Yevhen Rokytskyi at gen.rocket@clusters.org.ua. 

Mr. Rokytskyi has been delegated by the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance as coordinator of the ICSI JP. He manages the United Innovation Space Clusters and is a member of the Clusters4Defense Coordination Center. He is currently based in Poland.