EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency)
2023
IMP³ROVE, European Clusters Alliance (ECA), InPulse Partners SRL, Agrifood Lithuania, Eurada, Intracto, LOW, VDI/VDE
Partnerships have existed between EU member states and sub-Saharan Africa for over 20 years. On the basis of these existing partnerships there is potential to set up focused, sector-specific projects that further promote cross-border cooperation on cluster-based cooperation, innovation, and development.
The following EU-Africa cooperation projects and programmes show how the growing partnership has developed over the years:
The EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF), held every three years since 2006, will continue to play a prominent role in strengthening cooperation. The aim of the forum is to promote sustainable growth and create employment.
A differentiation of trade flows through cluster-based initiatives could reduce dependence, for example, South Africa and Kenya’s dependence on EU trading partners Germany and the Netherlands. This would allow these two countries a more resilient export structure to partners in the EU. One example of how cluster partnerships with Africa work, is the European Sustainable Energy Cluster partnership for Africa (ESECA), founded in September 2021.
The aim of our work is to strengthen the European economy through networking, better communication, and cooperation – even beyond the borders of Europe. This is the goal of the European Union’s European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP). The platform is designed to help the economy – and in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises – better meet the challenges of green and digital transition and position themselves in global value chains.
As part of the consortium led by IMP³ROVE, Prognos is involved in the further development of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform into a single point of contact for cluster organisations in Europe, leading work package 3, “Data & Policy.” The input paper on cluster cooperation between the EU and Africa deals with cooperation with South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya.
First, economic profiles of the sub-Saharan region were created and key industries identified – firstly, by looking at the region as a whole, and secondly, by looking at the individual countries (South Africa, Senegal, Kenya) separately. In a second step, the team looked at trade flows between the EU and these three African countries. The study examined the foreign trade structure and the value-added chain links of the three countries. Finally, an analysis was made of the cluster policies of South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya, with a particular focus on cooperation with the EU. The results were used to draw conclusions for future potential cluster cooperation between the EU and sub-Saharan Africa.
Read the investigation (PDF, clustercollaboration.eu)
Project team: Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Lennart Galdiga, Max Welford
Last update: 27.03.2023
Partner, Head of EU Services
The EU Commission commissioned Prognos, Idea Consult and the nova-Institute to research and promote the transition to a bioeconomy in the European Union.
What impact do global crises have on regional labour markets? The 15th issue of TerritoriALL magazine reports on the OVERLAP project carried out by Prognos.
The Single Market Programme promotes the EU internal market in order to strengthen it, standardise it and make it more competitive. Prognos was involved in the mid-term evaluation of the programme.
The Public Sector Loan Facility is an EU financial instrument to ensure a socially just transition to climate neutrality in the regions. Prognos and t33 srl evaluated the instrument.
German industry is heavily dependent on raw materials and intermediate products from abroad, especially from China. Prognos analysed supply chains and developed recommendations for action.
The I3 Support Facility boosts interregional projects in smart specialisation, with Prognos leading the Capacity Building Hub.
How can EU member states accelerate the expansion of renewable energies? Our report for the European Commission analyses which measures are needed to simplify approval procedures.
Prognos will support the Federal Ministry of Economics in preparing the NECP progress reports until 2027.
With the involvement of relevant stakeholders, Prognos and partners developed conclusions for the further development of European structural funding after 2027.
Eurostars supports cross-border research cooperation between SMEs in Europe. On behalf of the BMBF, Prognos analysed the effectiveness of the Eurostars 2 programme at national level.
Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.