ABCNet Overview

1
ABC-Net Overview

• Namur, 21-23 May 2007
• LAA

2
ABC Net Strategic Objectives

• Developing an in-depth cooperation for
  strenghtening the clustering process and
  networking through a shared analysis of critical
  success factors, best practices in cluster
  management, shortcomings, failures and barriers
  to networking and innovation
• Facilitating and promoting joint projects,
  strategies and tools (RD, financing,
  intelligence) for improving the competitiveness
• Creating a sustainable network of clusters open
  to new partners
• Providing policy recommendations to Commission,
  local and regional authorities

3
ABC Net Main Type of Activities

• Cluster surveys
• Exchange of experience and best practices
  (cluster management and support to innovation)
• Benchmarking studies
• Visits
• Development of joint RD projects
• Development of common tools (financing,
  intelligence)
• Formulating policy recommendations

4
ABC Net Partners

• Parco Tecnologico Padano (Milano-Lodi, IT)
• Oslo Teknopol with University of Life Sciences
  (Oslo-Ås, N)
• Agrobiopôle Wallon (Namur, BE)
• Agropolis (Montpellier, FR)
• South Great Plain Regional Development Agency
  (Szeged, HU)
• Alimentec (Bourg-en-Bresse, FR)
• Finlombarda (Milano, IT)
• Lacave Allemand Associés (Montpellier-Paris, FR)

5
ABC Net Management Structure

• The project leader, PTP, assisted by a
  secretariat, LAA coordination and
  administrative and financial management
• The Steering Committee decision-making
  structure (2/3 majority voting)
• The Advisory Board room of reflexion, 7 members
  from one of the 3 cluster communities (research,
  business, local/regional authorities)

6
ABC Net Management Structure

• The Thematic Working Groups (TWG) operational
  organisation of each WP, 3 meetings
• TWG1 Cluster Surveys LAA PTP, OT, SGP-RDA,
  AGW, Agropolis
• TWG2 Cluster Management AGW OT, Alimentec
• TWG3 Joint strategies, projects and tools
  OT/Agropolis PTP, Finlombarda
• TWG4 Policy Recommendations Finlombarda AGW,
  LAA, Alimentec
• TWG5 Sustainability and Enlargement of the
  Network SGP-RDA All

7
ABC Net Management Structure

• The Cluster Working Groups operate at cluster
  level for sensitizing local actors, carrying out
  clusters surveys and contact databases, and
  serving as pipe-line for projects, tools,
  strategies
• At least 2 meetings within WP1 duration
• At least 1 meeting at the end of the project

8
Meetings, Seminars Workshops

• LODI Month 1
• SC Kick-off
• TWG1 TWG2 TWG3 1st meetings
• MONTPELLIER Month 8
• SC2
• Seminar  Mapping/Complementarities  (task1.3.)
• TWG1, TWG2, TWG3 2nd meetings
• SZEGED Month 13
• TWG5 meeting 1 Workshop  Sustainability
  Enlargement 

9
Meetings, Seminars Workshops

• UC Davis, CA Month 17
• NAMUR Month 17
• SC3
• Seminar  Methodology and Tools for Improving
  Cluster Management  (Task 2.4.)
• TWG1, TWG2 meetings 3 (the lasts)
• TWG4 meeting 1
• Wageningen, Food Valley Month 22
• OSLO Month 22
• Workshop  Joint Strategies, projects Tools 
  (Task 3.4.)
• TWG3 meeting 3 (the last)
• TWG4, TWG5 2nd meetings

10
Meetings, Seminars Workshops

• MILANO Month 28
• SC4
• Conference Policy Recommandations  (Task 4.2.)
• Workshop  Sustainability Enlargement  (Task
  5.1.)
• TWG4 meeting 3 (the last)
• TWG5 meeting 3 (the last)