In the context of the further development of the Cluster Policy and Strategy in Flanders, TCI Network collaborated with VLAIO- Flanders Innovation &  Entrepreneurship, in organizing a peer review exercise.

A TCI  Peer Review consist 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 for the selection of three international experts following the specific criteria determined by VLAIO. As a result, Peter Keller (Hungary), Merete Daniel Nielsen (Denmark),  and Emily Wise (Sweden), were selected to work on the project.

The TCI-VLAIO Peer Review was conducted between July-December 2023 and included:

• online preparatory meetings;
• on-site workshop in Brussels, Belgium, on December 6-7, 2023. The reviewers participated in a 2-day agenda interviewing local stakeholders and with an in-depth workshop;
• final report. Including SWOT analysis, scenarios and general feedback, and recommendations.

As a result, TCI provided VLAIO with a final report aiming to complement-with the qualitative feedback from international experts- the self-assessment process undertaken by VLAIO of the 10 years Cluster Support Program  2017-2027, for a white paper with recommendations for a new cluster  strategy in Flanders beyond 2027.

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 a first time.

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