{"id":36536,"date":"2026-09-22T12:50:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T09:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/?p=36536"},"modified":"2026-09-22T12:50:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T09:50:32","slug":"uca-joined-the-european-network-of-defense-related-regions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/blog-about-clusters\/uca-joined-the-european-network-of-defense-related-regions\/","title":{"rendered":"Uca joined the European Network of Defense-Related Regions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) became the first Ukrainian organization included in <a href=\"https:\/\/defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu\/eu-defence-industry\/european-network-defence-related-regions_en?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European Network of Defense-Related Regions (ENDR) <\/a>\u2014 the network of the European Commission, whichCombines regional organizations and clusters operating in the field of defense, security and dual-use technologies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For UCA, this is an important next step in implementing the course <strong>Clusters4defense<\/strong> &#8211; system integration of Ukrainian clusters, SMEs and innovation ecosystems into European defense-industrial and innovation chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Endr<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Network of Defense-Related Regions was established by the European Commission in 2016, and since 2022 it has been funded by <strong>European Defense Fund (EDF)<\/strong>. As of June 2026, the networkIt united 121 organizations from 23 EU countries and Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Commission defines three key tasks of ENDR:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>aboutunity of regional organizations and clusters for the exchange of practices for the development of defense ecosystems and the integration of defense and research capabilities into regional strategies;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>dissemination of information about funding opportunities, in particular through <strong>EDF and other EU tools<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of strong regional clusters and centers of competence in the field of defense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ENDR also creates an environment for direct interaction between its participants: DG DEFIS maintains regular contact with the network, holds thematic conferences and workshops, and Endr Hub allows members to find partners and new opportunities for cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is it important for Ukraine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, the Ukrainian defense technology sector has unique competencies formed during the war: rapid cycles of innovation, close interaction of developers with end users and the ability to quickly move from prototype to practical application. At the same time, one of the following key tasks isconnect these capabilities with European industrial, technological and innovative ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what the initiative is aimed at <strong>Clusters4defense<\/strong>. UCA considers clusters as one of the mechanisms for integrating Ukrainian SMEs into European value chains, joint R&amp;D projects, technology transfer and EU programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our priorities include the creation of a common Ukrainian-European innovation ecosystem, the scaling of production, the development of sustainable Supply Chains, the replacement of critical non-European components and strengthening the cooperation of Ukrainian clusters with EU partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>that membership in ENDR gives UCA and its members<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Direct access to the European defense ecosystem.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Endr volIt unites regional agencies, industrial and technological clusters, research structures and other organizations that form Europe&#8217;s defense ecosystems. For Ukrainian clusters, this is a new channel for finding partners for specific technological and industrial projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Better access to information about EDF and other EU opportunities.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>One of the official tasks of ENDR is to ensure the flow of information about funding opportunities, including the European Defense Fund. DG DEFIS regularly informs network members of relevant initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Formation of international consortia.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>It is especially important for UCA to move from general networking to creating specific cooperation chains: <strong>Ukrainian SME \u2192 Ukrainian Cluster \u2192 European Cluster\/region \u2192 Industrial\/R&amp;D Consortium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Promotion of Ukrainian technological proposals.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Through ENDR, UCA plans to represent European partners in the priority areas of Clusters4Defense: unmanned and autonomous systems, electronics and components, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, medical technology, Automation of defense production, materials and other Dual-Use areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Development of a common innovation infrastructure.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>UCA&#8217;s special priority is partnerships around <strong>TestBeds, ProtoTyping, Testing, Certification and TRL 5-8 Corridors<\/strong>. It is the shortage of such infrastructure that remains one of the systemic gaps in the Ukrainian defense ecosystem. Our previous research defines the joint TestBeds, certification facilities, production automation and Component Sovereignty among the most promising areas of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Representation of Ukrainian experience in the European discussion.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>ENDR is not only Ukraine&#8217;s access to Europe. It is also an opportunity to pass on to Europe the Ukrainian experience of fast innovations, tests, technology adaptation and construction of Defense Innovation Ecosystems. Ukraine&#8217;s experience has already been considered by international researchers as an important source of lessons for countries that are developing their own defense and innovative ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>From membership to specific projects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Uka, entering ENDR is <strong>Working tool<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the near future, we plan to use the network&#8217;s capabilities to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>search for partner clusters and regions for UCA participants;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>promotion of Cooperation Cards and specific requests of Ukrainian SMEs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>creating consortia around common R&amp;D and Industrial Projects;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>development of European-Ukrainian corridors of prototyping, testing and validation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>integration of Ukrainian manufacturers into European Supply Chains;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>search for opportunities for participation of Ukrainian companies and clusters in EDF and related programs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Representation of the Ukrainian experience Defense Innovation and Industrial Scaling in European regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>We invite UCA clusters and companies that work at Defensetech and Dual-Use to more actively shape their technology and collaboration offers. ENDR opens another channel to European partners &#8211; our common task is to turn this access into specific consortia, projects, technology partnerships and contracts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UCA&#8217;s accession to ENDR is also a logical continuation of the main thesis of Clusters4defense: Ukraine and the EU need  <strong>Joint Integrated Defense Industry and Innovative Ecosystem<\/strong>, where clusters act as orchestras of cooperation between SMEs, industry, science, innovation infrastructure and state institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>More about the European Network of Defense-Related Regions:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu\/eu-defence-industry\/european-network-defence-related-regions_en?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European Commission \u2014 ENDR<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) became the first Ukrainian organization included in European Network of Defense-Related Regions (ENDR) \u2014 the network of the European Commission, whichCombines regional organizations and clusters [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":36537,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[48,374],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-about-clusters","category-news-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36536"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36538,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36536\/revisions\/36538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}