International Cleantech Network

International outreach means doing business and collaborating with cutting-edge clusters and their members and research institutes abroad.

The International Cleantech Network (ICN) is a network of visionary and proactive cleantech clusters from around the world. ICN's ambition is to create a strong, international collaborative platform to provide each cluster with the best opportunities to add value to their cluster members.

The goal
By establishing a worldwide network between the most proactive cleantech clusters in the world, ICN's mission is to create direct value for players located in the cleantech clusters (companies, universities/research institutions, local authorities etc.) by:

• Building up a strong global cleantech network between visionary, dynamic clusters
• Launching transversal cluster activities for the cluster players

During 2010, Copenhagen Capacity and Colorado Clean Energy Cluster focused their efforts on mapping strong cleantech clusters around the world, and building relationships with some of the world's most proactive clusters. In mid-2011, ICN consists of eight clusters, all of which will contribute to the development of the network in the years to come.

How we work

Apart from Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, which is facilitating the work of ICN, each cluster association has one or more representatives involved with the ICN.

Each year, 3-4 international ICN managers' meetings are held. The managers' meetings are the most important meeting forums, where knowledge and experience is shared and new initiatives developed.

At the meetings, the work of ICN is evaluated and discussed and the visions and concrete work packages of ICN are decided on and planned.
In between the meetings, the ICN managers in each cluster work on a specified topic, while communicating and sparring with cluster partners as well as other cluster managers.

After each meeting, the main points are summarized and published on the ICN website as are the results of the work packages.

Focus areas
ICN works across the clusters in four key areas focusing on international collaboration.

• Analysis is essential for providing ICN partners with beneficial information. ICN will conduct supply chain studies, mapping of test and demonstration facilities and create a tool for overviewing the clusters' competencies.
• Matchmaking activities will be arranged across the clusters between companies, universities and local authorities. ICN strives to match the business opportunities in each cluster with the leading competencies in the other partner clusters so as to add value to each one.
• Education and exchange programmes between companies and universities in the clusters will form part of ICN's mission to expand the pool of highly-skilled labour and thereby create growth for the companies in the clusters.
• Communication is stressed throughout all ICN activities. Obtaining and providing new knowledge for the partners to use constitutes the entire founding principle of ICN, and is therefore something that will continuously be evaluated and developed. The ICN website functions as a communication platform for the partners, and in addition, articles relevant to the partners will be produced.

Partners:
Research Triangle Region's Cleantech Cluster, N. Carolina, U.S.

Colorado Clean Energy Cluster, Colorado, U.S.

ACLIMA, Basque Country, Spain.

ECO WORLD STYRIA, Styria, Austria.

Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Oslo Renewable Energy and Environment Cluster, Oslo, Norway.

Singapore Sustainable Alliance, Singapore.

Energy Cluster, Lombardy, Italy.

Read more about ICN