Author: Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager, Cyber Ireland
The European Cluster Alliance (ECA) is a representative body for all clusters across Europe; it connects cluster organisations with the European Commission and positions industry clusters as key agents in the European innovative ecosystem for the development and growth of our economy and competitiveness.
From the 9th – 11th of December, I attended the ECA Conference 2025 in Madrid where cluster managers and policy makers from across Europe gathered to set the strategic direction for clusters in 2026 and beyond. The discussions reinforced the critical role clusters play in driving Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and resilience.
Why Clusters Matter for European Competitiveness
The opening sessions focused on the role of clusters in achieving the European Union’s (EU) objectives under the European Competitiveness Compass, which aims to boost Europe’s economic strength against global rivals, focusing on three main goals: 1) closing the innovation gap, 2) linking green policies with industrial growth, and 3) reducing critical dependencies for greater security, all supported by horizontal actions like simplifying regulations and boosting investment.
The objectives will be supported by the European Competitiveness Fund, a proposed €400+ billion EU initiative for the 2028-2034 budget, designed to unify existing funds, simplify funding for businesses (from research to manufacturing), and boost Europe’s global competitiveness in strategic areas like clean energy, digital tech (AI, quantum), health, and defence, aiming to accelerate innovation and investment under one streamlined rulebook.
It was clear from the presentations of the policy makers and the experiences of the cluster managers that clusters across Europe are already addressing the objectives of the European Competitiveness Compass and the European Competitiveness Fund; the opportunity is to leverage clusters to scale and accelerate European growth.
Clusters as Value Chain Builders
The European Competitiveness Fund proposes to scale up Value Chains across the EU, activating public and private capital to integrate suppliers, manufacturers, and innovators from different Member States and diversify sources of supply.
I had the privilege of moderating a panel with three cluster experts on “How Clusters can act as European Value Chain Builders” with:
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· Bianca Muntean, Cluster Manager Transilvania IT Cluster,
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Lubos Komarek, Chairman Nanoprogress, Nanotechnology Cluster Czechia,
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Stamatiki Kritas, MD Council of European BioRegions.
We discussed how clusters can overcome fragmentation, connect innovative SMEs across borders, realise market opportunities and build resilient value chains.
From my perspective, cybersecurity must be part of the conversation on Building European Value Chains. Europe’s ambition to scale SMEs and secure strategic autonomy depends on cybersecurity across all sectors. The European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) is a key organisation in achieving this who is developing Europe’s cybersecurity industry, resilience and strategic autonomy. Furthermore, we need to leverage and connect Europe’s Cybersecurity Clusters to activate our industry members, represent our sector at EU level, and unlock opportunities for cybersecurity across value chains.
What This Means for Cyber Ireland
The conference gave me plenty of food for thought on how Cyber Ireland can align with EU objectives and realise greater opportunities for the cybersecurity industry in Ireland:
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Align with the Competitiveness Compass: How can Cyber Ireland’s activities support EU priorities, focusing on innovation and resilience.
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Challenge-Driven Industry Collaboration: Gather cybersecurity challenges from industry and co-create collaborative industry solutions for Ireland and Europe.
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Build European Networks: Work closer with partners and clusters across the EU to strengthen cybersecurity collaboration and representation at EU level.
The ECA Conference was a reminder that clusters are not just local industry networks—they are strategic tools for Europe’s future. For Cyber Ireland, this is an opportunity to lead in shaping cybersecurity’s role in resilient, secure value chains across the continent.
It was also announced that the next European Cluster Conference will be held in Dublin in 2026, aligning with Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency. This is another opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate the role of cluster’s in achieving our economic and societal goals, while contributing to EU competitiveness.