European Cluster
Panorama Report 2024

The presence of clusters is positively linked to the regional adaptability for the digital and green transformation of the economy (twin transition). Cluster organisations in the 27 EU member states strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of their members. They promote cooperation, internationalisation and the qualification of the workforce. These are the key findings of the Cluster Panorama Report 2024.

It provides a comprehensive overview of the European cluster landscape, the footprint of the EU countries’ cluster organisations in the European single market and the trends in cluster policy across Europe. 
Prognos produced the report as part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform.

Cluster organisations actively support the twin transition

Clusters are responsible for a significant proportion of European jobs, the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and specialisation within regions.

The cluster panorama shows the current state of affairs: What is the state of cluster organisations in Europe? What role do clusters play in fostering resilient, green and digital industrial ecosystems in regional economies?

The current report places particular emphasis on novel research on the role of cluster organisations and cluster policies for industrial competitiveness, regional transition processes and resilience building.

These are the key findings of the European Cluster Panorama 2024:

• The number of cluster organisations in the 27 EU Member States (EU27) has increased significantly over the last 15 years. Especially in the new EU member states.
• SMEs make up the largest share of members of cluster organisations in the EU27 – 83 percent of all members are SMEs.
• Cluster organisations have a significant positive impact on the green and digital transformation. They strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of their members. They promote cooperation, internationalisation and the qualification of the workforce.
• The digital and renewable energy ecosystems account for a significant share of the cluster landscape in the EU27 (45 percent in total, of which 27 percent in digital and 18 percent in renewable energy). This underlines the central role of cluster organisations as a driving force in the EU’s twin transition.
• However, although cluster organisations are active in all EU member states, only around half of the member states have developed specific cluster policies.

Member states must establish a cluster policy

The core findings of the report result in the following key recommendation for action: Member states should develop dedicated cluster policies and integrate them into the respective industrial, national and regional policies in order to create synergies with related policies such as smart specialisation, training initiatives and internationalisation strategies. This is crucial for competitiveness and transformation in the EU.

The Cluster Panorama Report 2024 was published by Prognos as part of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP). The report provides an up-to-date assessment of the European cluster landscape, examines the role of clusters for industrial competitiveness, productivity and transition processes, outlines the main outcomes and policy trends of cluster policies and programmes across Europe and shows how specific cluster policies can support transition processes in the EU27 regions.

A new feature of this panorama is an assessment of the role of clusters and cluster policy for industrial competitiveness as well as a specific assessment of the contribution of clusters to regional transition processes.

Our approach

Prognos analysed data provided by cluster stakeholders as well as data from 56 cluster policy country factsheets and secondary data.

The 56 Cluster Policy Country Factsheets were also compiled by Prognos as part of the ECCP. These factsheets analyse national industrial ecosystems and the cluster landscape and provide insights into national cluster organisations. They provide an overview of cluster policy, programmes and initiatives at national level and enable a cross-national comparison.

Links and downloads

To the European Cluster Panorama 2024 (PDF)

To the 56 Country Factsheets (Website)

Further information (ECCP website)

More about our work for the ECCP

Last update: 19.07.2024