IDEA Consult offers support to Flemish spearhead clusters for the submission of proposals for innovation projects

In 2018, Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship appointed IDEA Consult on a two-year government contract to support the six Flemish spearhead clusters (Catalisti, Flanders’ Food, Flux50, SIM, VIL and Blue Cluster) with the identification of potential cooperation opportunities and with the concrete establishment and development of intercluster projects in three areas of transition, namely Industry 4.0, Circular Economy, and Energy. Each intercluster project involves at least two spearhead clusters, with a strong emphasis on cooperation with Flemish companies.

As part of this project, IDEA Consult is developing a structured, proactive approach to identify and define synergies between these spearhead clusters more effectively, so that concrete cooperation projects can be initiated between spearhead clusters that benefit the Flemish business community. The priorities that were defined in the framework of the IPCEIs (Important Projects of Common European Interest) and the TSSPs (Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms) were also taken into account in this regard. IDEA Consult has identified the most important building blocks for the three selected areas of transition to identify opportunities for cooperation.

During the past few months, proposals for four intercluster projects were submitted, which each have a major economic and social impact. Additional intercluster projects are currently being designed and developed.