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‘Clustering for International Markets’
Published on 16 April 2018
Poland
Kujawsko-pomorskie
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About this good practice
Torun Regional Development Agency, Poland ran the ‘Co-operation Links Fund’ which supported the internationalisation activities of cluster members. The goal was to support existing or newly created sector-focused SME clusters in the ‘Kuyavia & Pomerania’ region.
Financial support was provided to establish and develop the clusters which brought together complementary local SMEs, universities, a regional technical university, business support institutions and some local authorities.
Further support services were provided to member companies and cluster leads to enhance the cluster activities. This included assessing export-readiness, promoting the clusters through Enterprise Europe Network and cluster matchmaking.
The clusters were encouraged to access opportunities in foreign markets and supported to help them do so. This approach enabled small companies to take part in international activities which would normally be out of reach due to internal resource constraints or a lack of knowledge about exporting.
The internationalisation part of the programme had 2 main objectives:
- To assist SMEs with international market access by establishing sector-focused clusters
- To help clusters access joint business opportunities in foreign markets
The objectives were reached through connecting enthusiastic companies under strong leadership with clear development and international plans.
The stakeholders involved in each cluster were local SMEs and academic institutions.
Financial support was provided to establish and develop the clusters which brought together complementary local SMEs, universities, a regional technical university, business support institutions and some local authorities.
Further support services were provided to member companies and cluster leads to enhance the cluster activities. This included assessing export-readiness, promoting the clusters through Enterprise Europe Network and cluster matchmaking.
The clusters were encouraged to access opportunities in foreign markets and supported to help them do so. This approach enabled small companies to take part in international activities which would normally be out of reach due to internal resource constraints or a lack of knowledge about exporting.
The internationalisation part of the programme had 2 main objectives:
- To assist SMEs with international market access by establishing sector-focused clusters
- To help clusters access joint business opportunities in foreign markets
The objectives were reached through connecting enthusiastic companies under strong leadership with clear development and international plans.
The stakeholders involved in each cluster were local SMEs and academic institutions.
Resources needed
Co-financing of some €3,4m was provided by Torun Regional Development Agency through the ‘Co-operation Links Fund’ which funded the development and establishment of sector-focused clusters.
Advice and guidance from the local Enterprise Europe Network service was given to the clusters.
Advice and guidance from the local Enterprise Europe Network service was given to the clusters.
Evidence of success
Out of 29 clusters which received financial support to develop a strategy, 14 received further funding to implement its recommendations. 10 clusters have done business internationally and over 80 SMEs have now actively traded in foreign markets. Through the scheme, Torun Development Agency has enabled many firms to internationalise. Without this approach, many of the SMEs would not have had the time, resources, capacity or knowledge to bid for contracts in foreign markets.
Potential for learning or transfer
This cluster / consortium approach to internationalisation could work in other European regions subject to:
• Identifying seed funding to initiate clusters
• Finding a suitable lead company or companies
• Working out which sectors would offer the best potential for exporting
• Ensuring regular communication between the companies and the cluster lead
• Providing ongoing advice and support for the clusters
• Identifying seed funding to initiate clusters
• Finding a suitable lead company or companies
• Working out which sectors would offer the best potential for exporting
• Ensuring regular communication between the companies and the cluster lead
• Providing ongoing advice and support for the clusters
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Torun Regional Development Agency
Poland
Kujawsko-pomorskie
Contact
Manager