EU4Digital selects Eastern partner clusters for ESCA benchmarking and quality labelling
Sep 27, 2024
EU4Digital Facility is pleased to announce that five innovation cluster management organisations from Eastern partner countries have been chosen to receive support to participate in the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) benchmarking and quality labelling process. The chosen organisations were selected from among those who completed a self-assessment questionnaire as part of new EU4Digital activities, launched in April 2024, to support innovation clusters in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region
The selected organisations were chosen based on criteria set by EU4Digital and ESCA:
- Mapped in the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP);
- Conducted at least five different activities addressing at least two different strategic priority areas that support the “enhancement of collaboration, networking and learning” and “provides or channels specialised and customised business support to stimulate innovative activities, especially to SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises]”;
- Has at least 15 clearly committed cluster participants, with a majority originating from the private sector;
- Has a dedicated cluster management of at least 0.5 full-time equivalent.
Additional criteria:
- Has a documented strategy;
- Has an annual action / implementation plan;
- Conducts regular studies to identify cluster members’ needs and tailor service packages accordingly;
- Conducts regular studies to assess cluster members’ digital maturity or demand for digital innovations;
- Year of establishment is before 2022, which allowed the cluster management organisation to have produced impactful outcomes.
The additional criteria distinguish the cluster management organisations that are systematic and demand-oriented in their efforts to support cluster members in a digital economy.
The five selected organisations will be informed during an EU4Digital clusters benchmarking workshop on 10 September and will be officially announced during the ICT Innovation Forum on 9 October 2024.
Further information
The new Clusters activity and the ICT Innovation Forum are part of the ICT Innovation and Start-up Ecosystems stream in EU4Digital Facility Phase II. To find out more about EU4Digital ICT Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem activities, visit our ‘Explainers’ web content and view our short video ‘This is ICT Innovation’, available in our online Library.
LATEST
Oct 23, 2026
EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum 2026 was held
News
This year's Forum marked the 10th anniversary of the EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum, first organised in Baku in 2016.
Oct 05, 2026
Belgian-Azerbaijani Chamber opens Baku office
News
Belgian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (BELGAZERCOM) has opened Baku office, which is a big milestone in bilateral business relations, Stef Goris, Chairman of BELGAZERCOM,
Sep 24, 2026
EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum 2026 to be held in Baku on 21 October
News
EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum 2026: Celebrating 10 Years of EU-Azerbaijan Business Dialogue
Sep 18, 2026
German–Azerbaijani Connectivity Conference 2026
News
Mobilizing Finance for Infrastructure, Transport, Logistics, Green Energy, and Digitalization along the Middle Corridor
Sep 17, 2026
EU Chambers Networking Breakfast Held in Baku
News
The EU Chambers Networking Breakfast was held today in Baku, bringing together representatives of EU Chambers of Commerce operating in Azerbaijan
Sep 04, 2026
EU highlights its role as Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner
News
EU is proud to be Azerbaijan's largest trading partner, Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, Marijana Kujundžić, said,
Jul 30, 2026
Share of EU countries in Azerbaijan’s total exports exceeds 49 percent
News
In the first six months of the current year, Azerbaijan exported $8.0438 billion worth of goods to European Union countries, representing an 11% decline ($994.93 million) compared to the same period last year.
Jul 29, 2026
Polish business representatives to visit Azerbaijan
News
In November this year, representatives of Polish business are scheduled to take part in a trade mission to Azerbaijan.
Jul 27, 2026
Newly established Azerbaijan-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce inaugurated in The Hague
News
The newly established Azerbaijan-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce was inaugurated in The Hague during an official reception organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of 28 May – Independence Day, Report informs.
Jul 27, 2026
Bank Respublika secures €22 million from EFSE
News
New agreement between Bank Respublika and EFSE will expand access to finance for businesses
Jul 22, 2026
Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council to serve as platform for new cooperation opportunities
News
During the official visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Germany, the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment and Activities of the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council” was signed.
Jul 21, 2026
Trade Mission to Baku (Azerbaijan) - September 28 to October 1, 2026
News
The Belgian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (BELGAZERCOM) is pleased to invite you to participate in an exclusive trade mission to Baku, the vibrant capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
