'aces the European Union Center of Excellence August2009 Forms and Role of the Cluster Initiatives in Fostering Innovation in Post-industrial Regions: a Comparativestudyof Environmental Clusters in British West Midlands and Spanish Basque Country

FORMS AND ROLE OF THE CLUSTER INITIATIVES IN FOSTERING INNOVATION IN POST-INDUSTRIAL REGIONS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLUSTERS IN BRITISH WEST MIDLANDS AND SPANISH BASQUE COUNTRY The objective of this research is to present cluster initiative approaches in post industrial regions characterized by similar economic history and challenges, with additional emphasis on their role in promoting innovation among regional businesses. The research is based on a comparison study of two environmental industry clusters: Environmental Technology Cluster (ET) from British West Midlands and ACLIMA fi-om Spanish Basque Country. The study analyzes clusters' design and their role in fostering innovation based on environment industry clusters. In both regions environmental industry clusters represent strong potential for further dynamic development with grow opportunities driven by legislation introduced at EU, national or regional levels. The paper compares clusters' heterogeneity, goals and priorities, fmancing schemes, management structme, types of projects, character of private-public partnerships, challenges, as well as clusters' collaboration at regional/national/international levels. Also focus is given on how the clusters enhance innovation and what types of projects are executed by the regions in this field.