On May 14 and 15, the “Clusters Meet Regions” congress will bring together institutions, companies, and experts at ParcBit to strengthen circularity and industrial innovation in the Balearic Islands.
The auditorium at ParcBit will host the European meeting “Clusters Meet Regions” on May 14 and 15. This initiative is promoted by the European Commission through the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), with the support of the Directorate General for Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Government of the Balearic Islands and the Bit Foundation. Under the theme “Clusters as Drivers of the Regional Transition from a Linear to a Circular Economy,” the congress will highlight the key role of regional clusters in driving the green and digital transition.
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ParcBit Hosts European Meeting to Promote Clusters as Drivers of the Circular Economy
This event, the third of its kind to be held in Spain under the European initiative, aims to strengthen the Balearic industrial ecosystem through dialogue between leading innovative business groups and political representatives at the regional, national, and European levels. With an intensive agenda including round tables, thematic workshops, keynote presentations, and technical visits, the congress will address the implementation of the RIS3 Strategy in the Balearic Islands, with an emphasis on circularity, the blue economy, and sustainable infrastructure.
The opening session will feature the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Innovation, Antoni Costa, and Marta Batalla Masana, industrial policy and cluster expert at the European Commission. Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer, head of EU services at the German consultancy Prognos AG, will deliver a strategic keynote on regional circularity priorities.
Among the prominent speakers are Antonio Novo, President of the European Cluster Alliance and the iDIA Technology Cluster, who will moderate an institutional panel with the participation of Antoni Riera (Sustainability Pact), Diego Viu (Directorate-General for Circular Economy), and Sebastián González (Directorate-General for Innovation and Digital Transformation). Leading industrial initiatives will also be presented in sectors such as health, energy efficiency, tourism, and yachting, with speakers including Pedro Cabrera (Medical Alliance Against Climate Change), Francesc Ribera (Catalonia Energy Efficiency Cluster), Érica García (Garden Hotels), and Maria Garcia (Ocean Ecostructures).
Success stories from Balearic companies such as Bitaqua, AnySolution, and Astilleros de Mallorca will showcase the innovative capacity of the local business fabric. The program will also include discussions on green infrastructure and EU funding, featuring experts from projects such as ARV, CESAM, PLATOON, and the Enterprise Europe Network.
The second day will be devoted to matchmaking activities and technical visits to benchmark facilities in waste management and circularity, including TIRME, ADALMO, the Deixalles Foundation, and Astilleros de Mallorca.
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, which brings together 1,138 clusters across Europe, selected the proposal from the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Innovation of the Government of the Balearic Islands to host this meeting, on behalf of the European Commission.
In Spain, only Málaga and Barcelona have previously hosted this high-level international event, which plays a key role in connecting European clusters across all sectors.
The hosting of this congress in Mallorca is a result of the European Commission’s recognition of the Balearic Islands as a Regional Innovation Valley for Circularity—one of the regions selected under the New European Innovation Agenda. This initiative, led by the Directorate General for Innovation, positions the region as a European benchmark for green transition and inter-cluster collaboration.
The Regional Innovation Valley for Circularity is an ecosystem that brings together businesses, research centers, public administrations, and social entities to promote innovative projects aimed at the circular economy. Through access to European funding and pilot initiatives, it contributes to the transformation of the economic model towards sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
This event represents a unique opportunity to place the Balearic Islands at the center of the European debate on sustainable industry and regional collaboration, and strengthens the region’s position as a leading circular innovation model in the Mediterranean.
Targeted especially at companies, clusters, public institutions, research centers, startups, and professionals involved in sustainability, innovation, and regional development, this event offers a unique opportunity to establish international connections, learn best practices, and identify opportunities for European collaboration and funding. Attendance is free, but space is limited and prior registration is required. Full information is available at parcbit.es.