Clusters as catalysts for transformation processes
The Clusters meet Regions event, organized by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy as host and NRW.innovativ, took place on November 8 and 9 in Düsseldorf. The event focused on the dual transformation – climate neutrality and digitalization – and in particular the supporting role of clusters in creating a climate-neutral and digital industrial region.
Over 70 representatives from cluster organizations (from North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond), political decision-makers (at the state, EU, and federal levels), economic development agencies, and other relevant stakeholders gathered at the event to discuss how clusters, together with regional authorities and other partners, can best support North Rhine-Westphalia's transformation challenges. Various panel discussions offered insights into the NRW economy, the role of clusters in the context of current crises, and plans for relevant legislation. It became clear that North Rhine-Westphalia has a mature cluster landscape that is already addressing the diverse transformation challenges facing the state and supporting the management of the dual transformation. At the same time, the importance of interregional cooperation was highlighted, and it was emphasized that interregional networking must be further strengthened to best support the transformation of the NRW industrial region.
The cluster landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia offers many points of contact for international cooperation
Against this backdrop, the event also offered the opportunity to establish cooperation opportunities for interregional collaboration between relevant stakeholders in North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU through matching and pitching sessions. Various regional and international organizations from diverse sectors, ranging from hydrogen and mechanical engineering to artificial intelligence, presented their work in the pitching sessions. The matchmaking sessions provided participating regional and international cluster organizations and other relevant stakeholders with the opportunity to network and develop joint ideas for collaborative projects in the context of transformative challenges. This aimed to enhance the capacity of the regional ecosystem in North Rhine-Westphalia and its cluster stakeholders to support transformative activities, and numerous points of contact for cooperation were identified, for example, in the areas of quantum technology, hydrogen technology, and the circular economy.
On the second and final day, the event concluded with a factory tour at Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg, focusing on the theme of "Steel in Transition." This tour brought the previously discussed transformation processes to life through the decarbonization of steel production processes and the planned use of renewable hydrogen.
Source: ECCP; MWIKE
