Public presentation at the EU cluster level (GIZ)
On September 26-27, for the first time, a delegation from Ukraine took part in the European Cluster Conference in Prague.
The UCA delegated a group of 6 women participants from such clusters as Vinnytsia Instrumentation and Industrial Automation Cluster, Rivne Medical Cluster, Ivano-Frankivsk Business Association, Khmelnytsky Sewing Cluster Podillia Fashion Cluster, Ukrainian Automotive and Mobility Cluster.
More than 600 delegates from EU member states participated.
Good afternoon! As we know, you recently attended the European Cluster Conference. Please tell us about the event itself..
On September 26-27, the European Cluster Conference was held, which was attended by the Ukrainian delegation for the first time
Our team consisted of 6 female participants representing different clusters of the APPAU: Vinnytsia Cluster of Instrumentation and Industrial Automation, Rivne Medical Cluster, Ivano-Frankivsk Business Association, Khmelnytskyi Sewing Cluster Podillia Fashion Cluster, Ukrainian Automotive and Mobility Cluster.
The main topics discussed were primarily networking and exchange of experience in cluster development, innovative development and practices.
The opportunity to attend an event of this magnitude became possible thanks to the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance and international technical assistance from GIZ Ukraine.
In total, the event was attended by more than 600 delegates from European clusters, consulting companies, and chambers of commerce and industry.
The main objective was to communicate and establish business ties with European partners.
Who did you manage to work with? What countries were the delegates from?
The delegates were from many European countries, and there were many areas of focus.
In advance, we registered on the ECCP platform to organize a matchmaking session to hold a session of short partner meetings, each of which lasted no more than 20 minutes.
The essence of these meetings was to make short presentations of clusters or organizations and outline points of contact for possible further cooperation.
As I am the cluster manager of the garment cluster, the main areas of communication were with representatives of textile clusters, as well as other related industries.
The main topics of discussion were the following: creative ideas for fashion, innovation and development of the textile industry, and the circular economy.
Over the course of 2 working days, we, the representatives of Ukrainian clusters, held dozens of meetings with managers of various European clusters.
For my part, I tried to contact representatives of different sectors and different countries: Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Romania, Norway, Lithuania, Turkey, etc.
How do Europeans view the cluster movement in Ukraine?
In general, there is a huge interest in Ukrainians at the moment. Of course, there are polarized opinions about Ukraine because of the usual stereotypes.
Therefore, it is important to find like-minded people, partners
For example, representatives from Lithuania are ready to cooperate on innovations in the field of military clothing and ammunition.
For Ukraine, this is not only a point of contact, but also a serious area in which we can not only cooperate, but also share practical experience
After all, our goal is to move towards victory together by all possible and impossible means
The Norwegian cluster is very powerful in the field of technology and we definitely have a lot to learn from our Scandinavian colleagues in terms of sorting and recycling textile waste.
Their circular economy is at a very high level.
They have a high interest in the creative component, in particular interesting prints.
It so happens that in countries with a higher standard of living, including Europe, there is a certain crisis with the creative component.
At the conference, a separate panel meeting was devoted to this topic, where they discussed how European companies develop the creativity of their employees and how much they are willing to invest in it.
At the same time, Ukrainians are quite creative and therefore interesting to Europeans
With whom could Podillia Fashion Cluster establish cooperation?
Hemp is a very promising area.
By developing in this direction, we could establish cooperation with the Czechs, Poles, and Romanians.
Italians are also interested in how to grow and process hemp more efficiently.
We have had 2 meetings with the Spaniards and there are also interesting points.
They are open to cooperation in the field of personnel training, advanced training, and retraining.
In other words, in the future, Ukrainians will be able to learn from the European experience and implement the knowledge and skills gained in Ukraine.
Bohemian University from the Czech Republic is also ready to accept teachers from our university, with which the cluster actively cooperates.
On the basis of their university, 4 research laboratories are successfully operating, mainly specializing in mechatronics and metal welding.
ТSo, Europeans are open to cooperation with Ukrainian clusters?
It is prestigious to work with Ukraine at the moment (in light of the events of the last 7 months).
Our country is a shield and a lightning rod at the same time, standing like a dam that does not let the war into Europe.
Although many Europeans are still trying to take a neutral position.
For Ukrainians, the main thing is to take advantage of the window of opportunity that has opened before us.
After all, we gain trust with the blood of our people.
And, as you know, trust is hard to gain but easy to lose.
Our delegation positioned Ukrainian clusters as a significant contribution to the development of the national economy.
After all, a strong economy is one of the main pillars of survival and an opportunity for Ukraine to get back on its feet after the war.
Cluster managers in the European arena do not ask for this or that, but offer cooperation, counting on support and reciprocity.
At what stage of development is Podillia Fashion Cluster Ukraine?
The main areas of work have been identified.
We have established cooperation with teachers in order to jointly create a Fashion Training Center at the production facilities of Khmelnytchanka LLC and the university itself.
We also plan to involve students in training, advanced training and retraining, who would have a real opportunity to practice and get jobs at the best manufacturing enterprises.
A joint collection of Podillia Fashion Cluster members is also being sewn and will be presented soon.
If you believe in your idea, you will definitely have a result.
But we need to understand clearly that we are not going to live as before.
Therefore, we must be ready to change ourselves and our worldview.
Because only change guarantees growth.
