What should EU-level support to businesses, clusters and industrial ecosystems deliver from 2028?

From 2028, the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) will bring support to businesses and clusters under a single EU for Business Network, building on existing networks such as the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The Regulation establishing the Fund is being negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council; the services, calls and activities of the new Network will be defined in the coming months.

The European Clusters Alliance (ECA) wants that definition to start from the needs of those who will use the Network. This questionnaire asks you three things: which existing services work for you, which services the future Network must offer, and what is missing today.

How the results will be used. They will be published in aggregated form on clustersalliance.eu in December 2026, presented at the ECA General Assembly on 15 December 2026, and submitted to the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States as the ECA’s contribution to the design of the Network.

Who should respond. Anyone with a stake in EU-level business and cluster support: cluster organisations, SMEs and large companies, universities and research organisations, regional and national agencies and authorities, business support organisations and investors — in the EU, in candidate and associated countries and beyond. Several people from the same organisation may respond.

Practical information. About 8 minutes. The questionnaire is in English; open questions may be answered in any language. Your answers are anonymous unless you choose to leave your contact details at the end. The consultation closes on 30 November 2026.

This is an independent consultation run by the European Clusters Alliance. It is not a consultation of the European Commission.

Questions: contact@clustersalliance.eu