On 1–2 July 2025, Cluj-Napoca hosted the 24th edition of Clusters Meet Regions, spotlighting clusters as enablers of technology transfer, SME innovation, and regional competitiveness. Over 300 participants convened for two days of high-level panel discussions, workshops, matchmaking, and site visits that brought Romania’s dynamic North-West innovation ecosystem into the European spotlight.

Organised by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) on behalf of the European Commission, in partnership with Smart Transylvania, the Romanian Cluster Association (CLUSTERO – Romanian Cluster Association), and the North-West Regional Development Agency, the event highlighted the region’s leadership in digitalisation, green innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Day 1: Clusters as Engines of Regional Innovation

The event officially opened with a welcome message from Mariella Masselink, Head of Unit Industrial Forum, Alliances, Clusters at DG GROW, who underlined the importance of the gathering by stating: “With the Clusters Meet Regions in Cluj, we aim to create an opportunity to discuss about the potential of clusters in driving industrial policy implementation and competitiveness.”

Her remarks set the tone for the day, which continued with warm addresses from local representatives, including Emil Boc (Mayor of Cluj-Napoca), Doru Pamfil (Cluj-Napoca Branch of the Romanian Academy), Anca Roman (North-West Regional Development Agency), Daniel Coșniță (CLUSTERO – Romanian Cluster Association), and Bianca Muntean (Smart Transylvania), who hailed Cluj-Napoca as “a city shaped by innovation and strengthened by collaboration”.

In the first keynote panel titled “Innovation in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Clusters”, joining online, Dragoș Pîslaru, Minister for Investments and European Projects, underlined the strategic importance of clusters in the EU’s innovation agenda: “Clusters are essential for technology transfer and innovation. They are at the heart of EU's smartest innovation”. His statement was echoed by fellow panellists, who stressed the importance of strong research, coordinated policies, and targeted EU support to unlock the full potential of cluster ecosystems.

Jan-Philipp Kramer (ECCP Team) then presented the Input Paper , spotlighting that Romania hosts nearly 70 ECCP-registered clusters, 12 of which are located in the North-West Region, making it one of the country’s strongest cluster ecosystems and an emerging regional innovation hotspot.

The following panel, “Clusters Shaping the Future of Regional Innovation,” explored how clusters influence regional development policy, which was moderated by Lucia Seel, International Cluster Expert and featured various experts from Romania, Moldova, Austria,  Germany and Spain. Cluster Manager, Ciprian Morcan (Transylvania Furniture Cluster) outlined how the region’s innovation efforts, including Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and EU funding programmes, are fueling SME growth. Speakers agreed on the importance of long-term policy coherence and mutual understanding as critical components for successful interregional collaboration.

Afternoon breakout sessions explored digital transformation via European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) circular economy strategies, and SME internationalisation. Clusters from different countries also explored gender equality best practices enforced through clusters, for SMEs inclusive competitiveness. Anna Rosenqvist (Interior Cluster Sweden) captured the collaborative spirit of the event: “Trust becomes the engine in the business that we do”.

This was followed by a pitching sessions, featuring 11 clusters, from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)’s innovation model to agrifood and green energy solutions in Romania, France, and Moldova, offering tangible proof of the power of cluster-led innovation.

The day closed with a matchmaking session that facilitated over 105 bilateral meetings among 81 participants from 15 countries, underscoring the strong interest in cross-border collaboration and new partnerships within the European cluster community.

Day 2: Site Visits and Parallel Sessions at Cluj Innovation Park

On the second day, participants moved from policy dialogue to practical demonstration, as the programme unfolded at Cluj Innovation Park, home to the Furniture Excellence Centre (CEM) and the Creative Industries Centre (CREIC).

Before the site visits, attendees joined four parallel sessions, each offering an in-depth exchange on key drivers of innovation across European regions:

Smart Specialisation (S3) Partnership: Boosting Innovation in Design & Furniture

This session brought together clusters and regional authorities from Romania, Sweden, Spain, and Ukraine to explore new avenues for interregional collaboration with a focus on industrial design, digital prototyping, and sustainability, participants shared successful practices and proposed joint tools to help SMEs adapt to emerging market needs. The discussion underscored how traditional industries like furniture can lead in innovation when supported by cross-border partnerships and tailored cluster support.

Clusters Driving Smart & Net Zero City Development – M100 Mirror Mission Hub Romania

In the session, clusters were positioned as enablers of climate neutrality at the local level. Case studies from Romanian municipalities such as Cluj-Napoca and Alba Iulia illustrated how clusters can connect urban strategies with technological solutions, especially in mobility, energy, and the built environment. A central message emerged: clusters are indispensable actors in translating city-level ambitions into workable, community-driven innovation.

Innovate-EU Knowledge Exchange: Strengthening Regional Start-Up Ecosystems

Led by CLUSTERO and partners from Lithuania, Germany, Spain and Romania, this session focused on how to co-design regional innovation roadmaps to support start-ups in greentech, ICT, health and agrifood. The exchange emphasised the importance of targeted support services, investor-readiness programmes, and interregional innovation vouchers.

Food Identity – The Future of Geographical Indication

Meanwhile, the session on Food Identity and Geographical Indications (GIs) examined how education, research, and regional branding can work hand in hand to safeguard food heritage and promote rural development. Academic voices from Italy, France, and Greece highlighted EU-funded programmes that strengthen the GI ecosystem through skills development and international collaboration. The main lesson: protecting food identity is not only about regulation—it requires sustained investment in knowledge and networks.

During the site visits, they discovered first-hand the creative know-how and advanced technologies powering both centres and gained hands-on experience of their operations. A particularly impressive highlight was one of the largest 3D printers in Romania, which showcased the cutting-edge capabilities available on site.

The Cluj-Napoca edition reaffirmed that clusters are more than policy tools, they are engines of inclusive innovation, community trust, and sustainable growth.

🔗 Browse the event photo album: Flickr

📍Next Clusters Meet Regions event: 🇸🇮  Slovenia, 10–11 September 2025 & 🇫🇮  Finland, 24-25 September 2025

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