As part of the closing ceremony of the “Cluster Development Support” project, a multimedia presentation was developed to showcase the comprehensive results, activities, and impacts of the implemented initiative. The project was financed through the European Union’s Regional Competitiveness Programme – IPA Component IIIC, highlighting its strategic importance for the sustainable development of the Croatian economy. It officially began on 21 February 2011 and included a series of activities aimed at creating an institutional and operational framework that would enable systematic support for clusters as a form of business association and stakeholder collaboration.
The main goal of the project was to strengthen the competitiveness of Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by establishing more robust mechanisms for cooperation, knowledge transfer, and joint market presence. This directly contributed to economic growth by creating conditions for faster development, innovation, and increased export potential of entrepreneurs. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, with the participation of numerous experts, regional institutions, and business associations.
Clusters as a tool for enhancing competitiveness
The concept of a cluster refers to geographically concentrated groups of interconnected companies, suppliers, service providers, institutions, and other stakeholders operating within the same sector or industry. Clusters facilitate collaboration among complementary entities, encouraging innovation, specialization, and more efficient allocation of resources. This form of cooperation brings numerous benefits to companies—from reducing production and marketing costs, improving access to information, knowledge, and technology, to enabling joint appearances in foreign markets.
Within the project, clusters were identified as a key tool for modernizing Croatian industry and fostering smart growth. To support this, guides for cluster development and management were produced, training was delivered for cluster managers, and diagnostic tools were developed to assess the capacity and potential of both existing and future clusters.
Structure and content of the multimedia presentation
The multimedia presentation developed for the project’s closing ceremony served multiple purposes: informational, educational, evaluative, and promotional. It was designed as a visually and thematically structured overview of all project phases, from initial analysis and planning, through the implementation of specific activities, to the evaluation of results and proposals for continuing cluster development policies in Croatia.
The presentation included the following elements:
-
a chronological overview of project activities with key dates and phases,
-
on-site videos including interviews with institutional representatives, cluster managers, and entrepreneurs,
-
infographics illustrating data on the growth in the number of clusters, trained participants, and impact on local communities,
-
analysis of specific best practice examples from various sectors (metalworking industry, tourism, ICT, agriculture),
-
visualization of cooperation networks between companies, educational institutions, and research centers.
This presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s achievements, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and the transferability of results to other regions and sectors.
Institutional and field-level implementation
The project’s successful implementation was based on close cooperation between the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts and the Ministry of Economy led the institutional component of the project, including regulatory and strategic documentation, while regional development agencies, business incubators, and cluster organizations carried out field-level activities. This multi-level approach ensured that policies and strategies went beyond documentation and were translated into concrete support programmes and infrastructure projects.
Implemented activities included:
-
organizing specialized workshops and seminars for entrepreneurs,
-
providing consultancy in cluster management and the development of shared services,
-
drafting strategies for the development of regional and sectoral clusters,
-
establishing pilot clusters in sectors with high growth potential,
-
developing digital tools for cooperation management and market analysis.
This comprehensive approach enabled the structured development of cluster initiatives and their integration into the broader framework of regional development.
Financial framework and contribution of EU funds
The “Cluster Development Support” project was financed under the EU’s IPA programme, designed to assist candidate countries in building capacity and aligning with European standards. In this case, funding was directed at strengthening institutional infrastructure and promoting competitiveness through business collaboration.
The European Union recognized the importance of cluster development as a means to increase regional cohesion, reduce disparities, and enhance innovation among SMEs. The project provided not only financial support but also enabled the transfer of expert knowledge from EU member states through study visits, international workshops, and networking with European cluster networks.
Impact on the business community
The project resulted in concrete and measurable impacts on the business community. Entrepreneurs who participated in project activities reported improved competitiveness, enhanced cooperation with other companies, increased market visibility, and better access to information and new markets. Many clusters continued to operate independently after the project, proving the sustainability of the model.
In some regions, thematic clusters emerged based on local specificities—for example, tourism clusters in coastal counties, agri-food processing clusters in continental areas, and innovation-driven clusters in urban environments. Collaboration with educational and scientific institutions was also strengthened, leading to more joint projects, student internships, and knowledge transfer to the real sector.
Continuing strategic direction
Although the project has officially concluded, its results remain relevant and form the foundation for further development of entrepreneurial infrastructure in Croatia. The documentation, tools, and recommendations produced during the project are available to institutions engaged in economic development. The recognized methodology for cluster development is now used as a model in other competitiveness-enhancing programmes.
The “Cluster Development Support” project significantly contributed to establishing an ecosystem that enables the sustainable growth of entrepreneurship through collaboration and integration. The multimedia presentation created for the closing ceremony served as an important instrument for showcasing project results and raising awareness about the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation, institutional support, and long-term strategic planning.