A new era of European industry and competitiveness began in Madrid, where the European Cluster Alliance (ECA) held its first major conference. The Hungarian cluster association was also well represented at the event by Ágnes Gonda, Vice President of IKOSZ, who participated in the conference, ensuring that members of the domestic cluster community received first-hand information about the most important industrial and financing changes in the coming period.

The event, which brought together more than 150 European decision-makers and experts, confirmed that clusters are no longer just support networks, but strategic bastions of European competitiveness.

Strategic focus on new sources of financing

The central theme of the conference was the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the European Competitiveness Fund. The sections discussing industrial transition and the strengthening of value chains were of particular importance to IKOSZ, as the Association’s innovative “flagship”: one of the prominent sections of the Archenerg International Renewable Energy, Mechanical Engineering and Construction Innovation Cluster – the Archenerg Metal Cluster – is directly and particularly interested in learning about and applying practical tools that channel EU funds towards technological renewal and innovation.

Prior to the official opening, Ágnes Gonda and European cluster leaders addressed critical issues such as encouraging cooperation between SMEs and developing digital and green cluster services within the framework of the Co-Creation Labs. From the perspective of the Archenerg-Metál Cluster, these results can be directly used to support the entry of domestic metal and energy players into the international market.

High-level dialogue and the network of the future

At the event, representatives of the European Commission, including Marek Przeor (DG GROW), emphasized the importance of initiatives such as EU Clusters Talks and the Cluster Booster Academy.
One of the most important outcomes of the conference was the discussion of the planned structure of the EU for Business Network. IKOSZ’s position, in line with that of its European partners, is that clusters should play a central, coordinating role in this new network, complementing the work of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). IKOSZ and the Archenerg Metal Cluster offered their direct professional cooperation in further shaping and implementing the concept, initiating the creation of opportunities for the clusters of the member states concerned to submit proposals, give opinions and carry out tests.

Breakthrough points: STEP and industrial transition

The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), presented on the second day, opens up new perspectives in the financing of critical technologies, which also represents a direct opportunity for IKOSZ’s innovative developments.
The presence of IKOSZ, which brings together Hungarian innovative clusters, in Madrid proved that domestic clusters are ready for deeper integration into the European industrial ecosystem. The knowledge and network of contacts gained at the conference will directly serve the competitiveness of our innovative Hungarian member companies in 2026 and beyond.