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Research Driven Clusters
RDC success stories
Research Clusters in Romania
During the last months, Romania is under a process of research-cluster mapping. The main clusters (or potential clusters) are already identified and the following are in an advanced phase of development:
- Automotive West: An industry driven cluster at the beginning, Automotive West refers to a concentration of international automotive suppliers concentrated around Timisoara. The Regional Association West supports these clusters and has founded an automotive association in the region. The cluster is being supported in the frame of a FP7 Regions of Knowledge Project.
More details can be found on: http://www.adrvest.ro/index.php?page=domain&did=180
- ICT West: A similar initiative of the Regional development West which is currently trying to formalise the ICT concentration in the Western Region. More details can be found on: http://www.adrvest.ro/attach_files/studiu_ict_phare.pdf
- Automotive South (SPRINT): The cluster refers to a concentration of automotive suppliers around the producer Dacia Renault in the South Region. Driver of the cluster is the Romanian Association of Car Producers. (ACAROM). The association beneficiated form an FP 6 Transport Project "SPRINT" (2005-2007) aiming at creating an innovative network of automotive suppliers. The most important result is the creation of so called "research nuclei", joint working groups gathering representatives of industry and academia on fro the industry relevant research topics. More details can be found on: http://www.sprintnetwork.ro
- Wood Center (Pro Wood): The cluster beneficiates from ongoing FP7 regions of Knowledge Project "Pro Wood". Driving forces are the SME Association in the county of Covasna as well as the University fo Brasov (only one in the country specialised on wood indsutry), the county council of Covansa. The clsuter beneficiates form the support of renowned international consultants both specialists (TTS Helsinki, CritBois Epinal, Fraunhofer Institute in Braunschweig) and management consultants (ZENIT in Germany and Inno Consult in Romania). More details can be found on: http://www.prowood.ro
RAF-REGIONS: food research clusters
The RAF-REGIONS project brings together three regional research-driven clusters in Greece, Italy and Bulgaria, aiming at enhancing economic development through science and technology that focuses on the AgroFood Sector. It is funded by the Regions of Knowledge Programme of the 7th Research Framework Programme. It commenced its activities on the 1st of February 2008 and will last for 30 months.
The overarching objective of RAF- REGIONS is to increase the overall capacity of the Regions of Central Macedonia (Greece), Puglia (Italy) and Pazardzhik (Bulgaria) in enhancing science and technology based economic development, focusing on the AgroFood Sector. The project partners (Regional Authorities, SME Associations, Research Entities and Technology Consultants) comprise regional research-driven-clusters and have the necessary experience and the institutional role to intervene and have a direct impact on research policies for the AgroFood sector.
The activities of the cluster include:
- Development of 3 long-lasting, operational and sustainable AgroFood "Research-driven Clusters"
- Mapping and analysing the regional RTD policies and activities in the AgroFood Sector
- Performing technology audits at 80 SMEs in GR, IT and BG
- Inventory of approximately 60 RTD actors and 80 AgroFood SMEs
- SWOT analysis for each of the 3 participating regions
- Organising three 2-day workshops (GR, IT and BG) for the participating local Regional Authorities, SME associations and R&D entities
- Organising 2 training trips for personnel from the partners of the District of Pazardzhik - Bulgaria
- Organising 2-day European level Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece
- Exploiting synergies with regional research driven clusters from Europe with a similar AgroFood scope and also with ETP Food for Life, FINE network, Food Valley organisation, etc.
- Development of joint Action Plan of research and technological development activities to drive economic development in the AgroFood sector.
RAF REGIONS:
http://www.rafregions.eu
NCE Culinology: Innovation in gastronomy from Norway
NCE Culinology aims to strengthen the knowledge platform and capacity for innovation in the field of gastronomy and culinary differentiation for the benefit of Norwegian food production. The food cluster in Rogaland has deep historic roots in the production of agricultural-based food and seafood. In addition to a strong production side, the district has an acknowledged culinary environment and a well-established network in which industry, R&D institutions and the public authorities are working in close collaboration to develop the industry. NCE Culinology functions as a professional catalyst and is measured on its ability to increase the level of innovation and upgrade the professional and market-oriented skills within and between operators in the food and meal industry cluster. The objective is to further develop the quality of raw material production, specialise processing and increase value creation per investment factor.
Partners: Bioforsk, Biomarin Vekst, EWOS Innovation, Fatland, Norwegian Agricultural Purchasing and Marketing Co-Op for Rogaland and Agder, Finny Sirevaag, Fiskå Mølle, Fjordkjøkken, County Governor in Rogaland, County Agriculture and Forestry Office, Culinary Institute of Norway, Holmens, Marine Harvest Norway, Norconserv, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Nortura, Prima Jæren, Rogaland Farmers' Union, Rogaland County Council, Rogaland Science Park, Greater Stavanger Economic Development, Skretting, Sparebank 1 SR-bank, TINE, University of Stavanger, The Professional Forum for Food and Beverage
NCE Culinology:
http://ekstranett.innovasjonnorge.no/templates/Page_Meta____56546.aspx
Lyonbiopôle: excellence in vaccines and diagnostics in France
A global centre of excellence in vaccines and diagnostics, Lyonbiopôle, accredited as a world competitive cluster by the French State on July 12th, 2005, aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of human and animal infectious diseases. This expertise ranges from diagnostics and prevention to treatment, with the development of innovative delivery systems. The main strength of this healthcare shield specialized in infectious diseases is that it incorporates the entire chain of activity, from identification of a virus to protection of the populations at risk. This integrated approach aims to build a "healthcare shield" in order to protect populations against these diseases. The strong points of the cluster are the following: it is focused on infectious diseases, it meets healthcare and economic challenges, it is active in dynamic markets, it is led by firms with the involvement of all major stakeholders within the cluster's scope of action and, finally, it is strongly supported by the French State and Greater Lyon alongside Grenoble, the Rhône-Alpes Region and the Rhône and Isère General Councils. At least 45 partners participate in the cluster.
- Major corporations: sanofi pasteur, Merial World leader in veterinary products, BD World leader in the medical and diagnostics spheres, bioMérieux Co-leader in bacteriology
- SMEs and start-ups: Transgene, Protein'eXpert, EUSAPharma, genOway, Flamel Technologies, Expertise in polymer chemistry, Genopoïetic, Innovative cancer treatments
- Scientific, academic and healthcare stakeholders:
- Lyon: IFR Biosciences Laboratory, Ecole Normale Supérieure Graduate School, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, WHO, Jean Mérieux Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory, Jean Mérieux Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory, French National Institute for Medical and Healthcare Research (Inserm), French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lyon Civil Hospitals (HCL), etc.,
- Grenoble : French Nuclear Energy Agency (CEA), ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) NanoBio, Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1 University, Grenoble University Hospital, etc.
- French State, Local authorities: The Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, The Regional Department of Industry, Research and Environmental Affairs (DRIRE), The French National Research Agency (ANR), Greater Lyon Rhône-Alpes Region, Grenoble Alpes Métropole, Rhône Department General Council, Isère General Council
- Local public partners: LyonBioAdvisor network, Aderly, Créalys, Grain, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ARIST-CRCI, Arteb, Rhône-Alpes Génopole, Gerland Technopôle, Cancéropôle Lyon Rhône-Alpes (CLARA), ERAI, AEPI, Adebag, and BioVision.
Lyonbiopôle: http://www.lyonbiopole.com/home-1-2.html
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