This document outlines French views and expectations regarding a proposed European Cluster Excellence Initiative. It discusses France's national cluster policy and label called "Pôles de compétitivité" and has expectations that a European quality label would bring European clusters closer together through learning, striving for excellence, and increasing international visibility. It also raises questions about the procedures, advantages, costs and modalities of a proposed European Cluster Excellence Quality Label and Cluster Collaboration Platform.

1. European Cluster Excellence
Initiative
French views and expectations
Vienna, April 19th, 2012

2. The French policy of
Pôles de compétitivité
• 71 pôles de compétitivité
18 world class clusters
53 national clusters
- “Pôle de compétitivité” as a
quality label
- Ongoing national evaluation

3. Our expectations for the European
Cluster Excellence Quality Label
- Bringing European clusters closer together
- Learning from each other
- Striving towards excellence
- International visibility
- Subsidiarity principle

4. Our questions regarding the European
Cluster Excellence Quality Label
Procedure
Advantages Costs
Modalities
Decision Number

5. European Cluster Collaboration
Platform
• User friendly
• Up to date
• Networking facilitator
• Better profiling of European clusters
on international markets
• Analysis of target markets and
strategic areas with potential for
cooperation

6. European Foundation for
Cluster Excellence
• Less developed cluster organisations learning from the best
and striving for excellence
• Independent, commercially self-sustainable and affordable
• Train the trainers programme – ensuring a multiplier effect

7. Conclusions
• French authorities welcome the growing recognition of the
importance of cluster excellence
• Need for detailed analysis and carefully developed initiatives
on the European level
• Awareness and dissemination of information
• Palpable advantages on the European level
• Ultimate objective ; cluster excellence for renewing EU industry
and strengthening EU competitiveness

8. Thank you for your attention!
pascal.rogard@finances.gouv.fr