In the run-up to Ireland's new National Clustering Programme (NCP), the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) called upon TCI Network to deliver a peer review exercise providing valuable recommendations to shape the new cluster policy and ensure its effective implementation.

A TCI  Peer Review consists of a strategic discussion on the potential of cluster development followed by a final assessment by a selected group of experts from the TCI Network, working closely with the hosting organization. The objective is to provide recommendations from experts that ultimately help to develop the new cluster policy in the region and lead to better implementation of the cluster strategy.

To carry out this project, TCI Network issued an open call following the specific criteria determined by DETE. As a result, Merete Daniel Nielsen (Denmark), David Fernández (Spain), and Helmut Kergel (Germany) were the three experts selected to work on this peer review exercise.

This TCI-DETE Peer Review was developed from March to July 2024 and included:

• online preparatory meetings;
• an on-site workshop in Dublin, Ireland, on May 22-24, 2024. The reviewers participated in a 3-day agenda interviewing local stakeholders and with an in-depth workshop;
• final report.

“The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) found the TCI Peer Review service to be a very efficient, effective and focussed exercise which brought the benefit of international expertise to the development of a National Clustering Programme which is tailored to the Irish context whilst meeting international best practice.” Siobhan O´Caroll, DETE.

A TCI Network Peer review is a helpful exercise for governments, agencies, and cluster organizations that are going through a strategic review or upgrade of their cluster strategy/program/policy; and also for those who are analyzing the potential of cluster development in their territory for the first time.

Are you interested in a TCI Peer Review? Contact us!