The main task of the project was to create tools supporting the development of selected digital competences of cluster coordinators in order to improve their level of services, competitiveness and innovation. A study conducted by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development on clusters (2020), as well as the recommendations of the Cluster Working Group supervised by the European Commission (12.2020), show that the development of European clusters largely depends on the level of competence in digital transformation. The globalizing economy and the pandemic crisis have further accelerated digitization processes. The value chains operating in the clusters have been transformed and processes of disintegration have taken place, which is reflected in the search for new solutions based on digital technologies. A key role in this process is played by cluster coordinators, who should contribute to cluster development using their digital competencies. Therefore, within the framework of the project, materials were developed (Guide and Competence Verifier) that allow cluster coordinators to diagnose gaps in digital competences and to become familiar with basic information and tools for filling them.
Currently, there are around 3 000 clusters in the EU. Their members employ more than 50 million people, which represents approximately one in four jobs in Europe. Clusters serve as a link between science, business and administration. It is in them that industry, innovation, the labor market and education are concentrated. Their development is therefore extremely important for the European economy and depends largely on the competence of cluster coordinators, who are mostly responsible for management issues and the implementation of key projects. However, clusters lack people equipped with competences needed to deal with digital transformation issues. Internal analyses done by the partners (interviews, workshops, cooperation with coordinators) identified the extent of the deficit in the aforementioned area, which are competences in: • Big Data/Data Science • Programming • Visualization An analysis of the educational market conducted by the partners revealed a lack of knowledge regarding the required competencies of cluster coordinators and lack of tools to define gaps in this area. The aim of the project was to develop selected digital competences of coordinators in the context of digital transformation of clusters.