REG CON · Support action for innovation driven clusters in construction. Regional approaches, multi-stakeholder engagement and cross regional co-operation

The driving idea of REG CON is the advancement of the concept of “R&D based clustering” across regions of Europe with a thematic focus on construction. This sector is both dynamic in creation of growth and employment [~7% of national employment/GDP, ~14% when add design and materials], but relatively backward in absorbing innovation. The Strategic Research Agenda prepared by European Construction Technology Platform set up ambitious but realistic goals to transform this traditional sector into the knowledge driven and R&D based. REG CON activities strength those goals from regional level. REG CON sets the following yardsticks of success and objective fulfillment:  Set up in the EU of three regional construction clusters and intense R&D activities of two existing one  Achieving cluster participant mobilization in each of the clusters, resulting to understanding of needs for each cluster actor, development of practical R&D action plans and co-operation.  Achieving nine instances of mentoring, cross- regional co-operation, SWOT analyze, joint R&D Action Plan and good practice transfer among the clusters and experts beyond the clusters. These would be implemented by: surveys, regional events and workshops, dissemination and mentoring activity.  Designing a financial instrument that would secure the sustainability of the clusters and R&D cooperation beyond the project lifetime.  Designing an administrative and management structure that would host and administer the cluster Project partnership is based on two advanced construction clusters from Finland & Slovenia [mentors] and three regions with “clusters initiatives” which need to be transform into clusters [Poland, Spain, Greece]. Each region involve main stakeholders: industry, research, local authorities. Partners in the project are members of European Construction Technology Platform and National Technology Platforms which ensure the link with European objectives for sector R&D development.