ECA Interregional Cluster Conference 2026: Clusters as Competitiveness Integrators

From 20 to 22 October 2026, Galați and Chișinău hosted the ECA Interregional Cluster Conference 2026, a landmark event for cooperation between Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, held under the theme “Clusters as Competitiveness Integrators”.

The conference brought together more than 200 participants in Galați and over 100 participants in Chișinău, representing clusters, businesses, public authorities, research organisations, universities and European institutions. Approximately 40 participants attended the events in both cities, travelling from Galați to Chișinău on the morning of 22 October and thereby reinforcing, through their commitment and effort, the genuinely interregional character of the conference.

Throughout the two main conference days, participants addressed key issues affecting the region’s competitiveness: the integration of clusters into European networks and value chains; cooperation between Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine; supply-chain resilience; industrial decarbonisation and green energy; logistics connectivity across the Danube and Black Sea region; technology transfer and innovation; creative industries; and the role of SMEs in regional ecosystems. The matchmaking sessions organised with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network complemented the discussions by facilitating direct contacts and paving the way for new partnerships, projects and business opportunities.

The international character of the conference was reflected in the participation of representatives from 18 countries, including substantial delegations from Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. A particularly noteworthy presence was the Kenyan delegation, composed of representatives of public authorities from the Tana River region. Their participation expanded the dialogue beyond Europe and opened up new prospects for cooperation between regional ecosystems in Europe and Africa.

The programme began on 20 October with the medical workshop “Prevention of Epidemiological Risks in Conflict and Post-Conflict Contexts”, organised by the Lower Danube Innovative Cluster for Health in cooperation with Clusters4Health. The workshop concluded with a dedicated session for generating ideas for international collaborative projects.

Held in Galați as part of Galați Business Week 2026 and continued in Chișinău within the framework of the Second National Cluster Forum of the Republic of Moldova, the conference demonstrated that cluster networks can become genuine competitiveness integrators and practical instruments for fostering closer economic and institutional ties between Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union