Cross-regional strategic cluster partnerships

Hemp Cluster Initiative

Pavla Bruskova
National Cluster Association – CZ
www.nca.cz
 Why Hemp-based Bioeconomy?

• Only 10% of chemical feedstock base consists of

renewable materials (sugar, starch, cellulose, oils
and fats, etc.);
• More non-food biomass resources need to be
exploited – hemp is the case!
• Global value chains shift from fossil-rich to
biomass-rich countries;
• Agronomic potential of hemp production is huge
in the Danube countries.
 The Danube Hemp Cluster Initiative
The hemp industry as a demonstration model for bioeconomy
fostering through clusters
in the Danube region countries:
• Broad scale of exploitability
covering both technical and
medical cannabis;
• Multi-sectoral cluster approach
• R&D, new technologies
and innovative applications
in hemp growing and processing
• Manufacturing of final products
• Regulatory measures, legal
unification
• Education, awareness and
promotion
Stimulation of hemp cluster initiatives
Modern European Cluster Policy Framework
• Systemic approach that combines different policies, programmes, and
instruments including emerging industries
– Bioeconomy as the emerging industry – the eco-innovative industry
building new value chains based on traditionally defined sectors
• Cluster internationalisation – cross-cluster cooperation in new areas and
building European cluster consortia (European Strategic Cluster
Partnership) -
The DanuBioValNet Hemp Cluster Approach
• Identification of key hemp actors and the hemp industry strengths in the
partner regions;
• Facilitation of cluster organisations establishment and their mobilisation
for internationalisation
• Involvement in the three value chains of the project: Phytopharma,
Biopackaging, Eco-construction.
 Cross-regional Cooperation
• The DanuBioValNet project shall demonstrate that eco-innovations, new
business opportunities, new investments will improve long-term access to
materials and opens doors to cross-regional long-term partnerships
through:
– Meetings,matchmaking, brokerage, etc. with other clusters to develop
international business, knowledge transfer and R&D cooperation cross-
sectoraly (feedstock base processing infrastructure, innovation and R&D)
 Cross-regional Cooperation

General opportunities for clusters and their members:

– Cluster-to-cluster collaboration on different levels, project
consortia, excursions – learning etc.;
– Direct links established by individual cluster members with
their counterparts along the relevant value chains;
– Business-to-business contacts matching the complementarity
of other companies involved along the supply chains become
the initiators of cross-cluster cooperation;
– The business leaders of one cluster companies can become a
member of the regional clusters in other parts of Europe
where they have established links with business partners as
value-added resellers or integrators.
Official project web:
http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-
projects/danubiovalnet

DanuBioValNet

Thank you for your attention

Pavla Bruskova
President
National Cluster Association
Czech Republic
bruskova@nca.cz