RE-CENTRE – cRoss-sEctoral Cluster approach for higher CompEtitiveNess through digiTal, gReen transition and rEsilience
Тhe mission of RE-CENTRE is to support SMEs from the 3 sectors involved – furniture/interiors, IT and Energy – in developing new business models and innovation projects for being more competitive and resilient. It is one of the 10 cross-sectoral Euroclusters co-funded by EISMEA under the Single Market Programme.
For this project, Green Synergy Cluster has partnered with 3 other European clusters: dID – Distretto Interni e Design Italy, CENFIM – Furnishings Cluster Spain and CLUJ IT Cluster Romania.
The planned activities include:
- Open Call Vouchers for Innovation with collaboration projects to be funded for innovation on digital and green topics;
- Vouchers for internationalization with 40 SMEs to be supported exploring Mexico and Chile through B2B meetings;
- Training sessions for clusters and SMEs staff for upskilling.
RE-CENTRE will focus on a cross-sectoral approach starting from the need of creating strong relationships and active business collaborations among the 3 sectors, being this a strategic element for guaranteeing competitiveness and resilience, by deploying 3 levels of interrelated actions:
1) the adoption of a concrete twin transition by the traditional industrial ecosystem;
2) the twinning between digital and green ecosystems leading to a stable business model for the future where digitalization for sustainability is adopted and the adoption of technologies is deployed in a sustainable way by controlling environmental impacts of it;
3) the development for the 3 sectors, thanks to the created connections, of flexible business models addressing each sector specificities and needs for a higher competitiveness and resilient approach to the market (designed business plans addressing potential and rapid changes at level of supplies, client needs, ecosystem relationships) and a unique RE-CENTRE business model identifying the intersectoral connections as the potential answer for business continuity of the entire cross-sectoral eurocluster.
In addition, the competitiveness of companies is increasingly linked to the ability to become actors in the challenges of sustainability – environmental, socio-cultural, economic – and digital transition together with the ability of being creative and resilient towards changes.
RE-CENTRE aims at supporting the rooting of businesses through the ability to revise continuously business models and adapt to fast changing market contexts in relation to supply chains, demand changing needs, shifting of target clients and market channels.
RE-CENTRE AND THE CALL OBJECTIVES
RE-CENTRE, being a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary context, bridging internally and externally of the 3 collaborating ecosystems, will support the need for continuously updating the EU industrial strategy in a shared vision leading to a unique business model for development. The fact that cross-sector partnerships are the new strategic paradigm across different sectors is manifested in their growing empirical pervasiveness. Innovation and competitiveness are rarely achieved in isolation. Needed competences are normally spread across different sectors, value chains, clusters and geographical borders and therefore collaboration between, and integration of different innovation actors across different sectors and regions is necessary.
Green Synergy cluster will make a sector analysis with relevant Stakeholders – SMEs, large companies, including research organizations, associations, agencies, tech parks, start up hubs and innovation enablers. The purpose of the Analysis will be to gather data for the critical issues in the sector and the needs of the stakeholders.
The 4 RE-CENTRE clusters, closely with their corresponding regional administrations, will drive all innovations, directions and collaboration opportunities deriving from the development and adoption of targeted business plans and actions in order to support the strengthening of the EU’s resilience in the four interrelated dimensions: social and economic, geopolitical, green, and digital within the policy system, as highlighted by the “2020 STRATEGIC FORESIGHT REPORT- CHARTING THE COURSE TOWARDS A MORE RESILIENT EUROPE”.
The 4 clusters, thanks to the RE-CENTRE project, will design the pathway to support their members and external companies for a more resilient industrial ecosystem by:
- Enabling collaboration across clusters to re-vamp value chains and develop new ecosystems;
- Activating collective discussions with members about reallocation and development of new activities
- Investing in future competitiveness – R&D, training and development of new mindset
- Supporting members in redefining their portfolios and services through new business models design
Green sector needs:
The clean energy transition and climate neutrality is with high strategic importance to the EU. The European Green Deal sets the objective of creating new markets for climate neutral and circular products In the medium-term, all business activity will need to become sustainable. In this regard, the business case for the green transition is stronger than ever and green clusters, such the Green Synergy Cluster will play a pivotal role in its acceleration. The cluster is in transition period seeking new forms of cooperation between private and public sectors to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions in the sustainable field – green and circular technologies and innovations in the field.
All industrial value chains, including energy-intensive sectors, will have a key role to play. They will all have to work on reducing their own carbon footprints, but also accelerate the transition by providing affordable, clean technology solutions and by developing new business models. The cluster seeks its way for improved research, innovation, deployment and up-to-date infrastructure implementation, as to showcase novelties in the sector. The cluster is a growing and advancing organization that strives to position itself as innovative cluster in the field of energy efficiency, advanced renewable energies, new biobased fuels, materials and products. To do so, it needs to strengthen the innovation potential of cluster members, providing channels for improving their R&D capacity. Capacity buildings activities on supporting SMEs innovation, transformational business models, activities on strengthening skills and knowledge and re-skilling the workforce and the facilitation of the interchange of Clusters are much in line with current cluster needs. On the other side there is also a clear need on strengthening links with green service users and activating cross-sectoral connections in order to improve the cluster ecosystem.