Knowledge Cluster from Extremadura

Knowledge Cluster from Extremadura is a nonprofit sectorial association, founded in 2003, which brings together businesses, foundations and other associations and entities related with the continuous improvement of the management and innovation of businesses, whose common link is that they all work to provide services to third parties based in the sector of knowledge. The objective of this Association is, therefore, to promote cooperation within Extremadura's Sector of Knowledge so as to achieve a greater level of competitiveness throughout the sector and defend their interests.

In July 2009, Knowledge Cluster was granted the status of Agrupación Empresarial Innovadora (Innovative Business Group) by the Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Trade in Spain, which will make it possible to deal with the necessary markets, stages and models to become, as stated in the Strategic Plan, a “Key Organisation in the economic, technological and organisational development of the sector of knowledge at national and international level, as a projection of a competitive, responsible, sustainable and proactive fabric; making it possible to achieve key values in global competition”. This certification promotes institutionalisation or collaborative links between businesses and components of the Clusters or innovative groups, favouring agreements being made which improve the sector's commercial, economic and technical effectiveness.

In this way, Knowledge Cluster works around four main topics which are well-defined and aimed at achieving socio-economic development in the region, with the aim of reaching agreements recognised in the Lisbon Treaty:

1. COHESION AND COOPERATION.
2. R&D&I.
3. KEY MARKETS/INTERNATIONALISATION.
4. INTERNAL STRUCTURING.

In addition, one of the strong points of Knowledge Cluster is the creation of networks, at both national and international level, through the signing of agreements and collaboration with other entities related to the activity of the sector. On this point, it is worth highlighting that the Cluster del Conocimiento has created the Federación Nacional de Agrupación de Empresas Innovadoras y Clusters (FENAEIC) (National Federation of Innovative Business Groups and Clusters), which it currently presides.

Since its creation, the number of members has grown to the current figure of 90.

Knowledge Cluster is made up of all types of organisations, which allows it to provide a global, complete and competitive service and a transfer system of internal technology. Currently it comprises a total of 105 entities, which include two Technological Centres, the University of Extremadura and four foundations.

The activity of the Cluster revolves around the four areas:

• Consultancy
• Training
• Content management
• Engineering / Architecture
• Information and Communication Technologies

For the development of our activity we have funding from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT) in the program of support for “Agrupación de Empresas Innovadoras” to help improve the competitiveness of Spanish industry and the ESF and ERDF.

Measures to support clusters of the region of Extremadura under the Model Innoveex_Grant Awarded: 28.163.28 € y 22.513,20       

Beneficiaries of financing by the Public Employment Service Extremeño the Department of Equality and Employment of the Junta de Extremadura, with the European Social Fund co-financing, according to Decree 90/2008 of 9 May.