Strengthening clusters Management Activities and Running Trans-national for implementation of nearly Zero Energy Buildings

ended

The SMART4NZEB action aims at boosting competitiveness and supporting the scaling-up of 577 SMEs active in construction, energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors through strengthening capacity-building of 5 representative clusters as drivers of innovation in Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia) and facilitating trans-national exchanges and strategic partnerships with a focus on sharing experience between different practices, skills gaps, policies, target goals and level of engagement related to nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). Objectives of the action: 1) Strengthening cluster management excellence of 5 representative clusters in Central and Eastern Europe through enhancement of cluster managers’ skills, Cluster Management Excellence certification and reviewed/new development and innovation strategies, in order to provide top quality services for their associated SMEs; 2) Strengthening the business model innovation, marketing and sales skills both for participating cluster managers and linked SMEs; 3) Boost competitiveness and support the scaling-up of 577 SMEs in the construction, energy efficiency and renewable sectors through improved and tailored services offered by the clusters based on their specific needs; 4) Facilitating strategic and sustainable partnering in the EU by designing a partnership strategy and joint collaboration activities such as creating a network of complementary partners for SMEs cooperation on international market through participation of 55 stakeholders in a ClusterXchange Programme; 5) Building up synergies and value chains between the 3 key sectors: construction, energy efficiency and renewables, to facilitate the effective implementation of nZEB; 6) Implementing a Communication & Dissemination Campaign for promotion and exploitation of results and promoting the nZEB concept; 7) Increasing the recognition of clusters, clustering and therefore the number of SMEs in participating clusters.