Eligibility Criteria

The Eligibility Criteria are provided to experts only.	While the benchmarking activity is open to any kind of management organisation that shows interest in the respective results as a tool for improvement, the award of a Quality Label (BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD) is conditional on the operational set-up of the applying organisation. Applying organisations must prove their status as a “cluster organisation” as defined by the European Commission by fulfilling a set of so-called “Eligibility Criteria for Cluster Management Excellence Labels”. This new feature is one of the main outcomes of the revision of the labelling processes under the “ECEI – Phase II” project. The new set of eligibility criteria focuses on: Existence of a real-existing technologically/sectorally/regionally focused cluster initiative with a dedicated cluster management of at least 0.5 full-time equivalent in place and at least 15 clearly committed cluster participants with a majority originating from the private sector. The cluster management organisation must support the “enhancement of collaboration, networking and learning” and “provides or channels specialised and customised business support” to stimulate innovative activities, especially to SME. The cluster management facilitates or implements a minimum number of services (≥ 5 different activities during the past year) addressing ≥ 2 different defined strategic priority areas. The cluster management organisation is listed on the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP). The assessment of these criteria is up to the individual benchmarking expert. After having conducted a benchmarking interview, the expert is asked to provide her/his individual judgement regarding the degree of fulfilment of the above criteria to ESCA including a summary whether a quality label should be awarded, or not. The final decision regarding the label award is up to ESCA.

The Eligibility Criteria
are provided to
experts only.

While the benchmarking activity is open to any kind of management organisation that shows interest in the respective results as a tool for improvement, the award of a Quality Label (BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD) is conditional on the operational set-up of the applying organisation.

Applying organisations must prove their status as a “cluster organisation” as defined by the European Commission by fulfilling a set of so-called “Eligibility Criteria for Cluster Management Excellence Labels”. This new feature is one of the main outcomes of the revision of the labelling processes under the “ECEI – Phase II” project. The new set of eligibility criteria focuses on:

Existence of a real-existing technologically/sectorally/regionally focused cluster initiative with a dedicated cluster management of at least 0.5 full-time equivalent in place and at least 15 clearly committed cluster participants with a majority originating from the private sector.
The cluster management organisation must support the “enhancement of collaboration, networking and learning” and “provides or channels specialised and customised business support” to stimulate innovative activities, especially to SME. The cluster management facilitates or implements a minimum number of services (≥ 5 different activities during the past year) addressing ≥ 2 different defined strategic priority areas.
The cluster management organisation is listed on the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP).

The assessment of these criteria is up to the individual benchmarking expert. After having conducted a benchmarking interview, the expert is asked to provide her/his individual judgement regarding the degree of fulfilment of the above criteria to ESCA including a summary whether a quality label should be awarded, or not. The final decision regarding the label award is up to ESCA.

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