Empowering

For a Thriving Euromed Region

Euromed Cluster Forward – Funded by the European Union, the program is led by ANIMA Investment Network in collaboration with Berytech, ERF, and Leaders International.

Our program aims at empowering the South Mediterranean clusters and their enabling environment by improving regulatory frameworks, strengthening capacities & empowering regional value chains to boost employment in the Euro Mediterranean region.

What We Do

Build Stronger Ecosystems

We bring together business, research, government, and communities to work smarter and innovate together.

Boost Cluster Performance

We support clusters with tools and training to grow, compete, and create jobs.

Support SMEs & Startups

We connect small businesses with research, funding, and tech to help them scale.

Drive Sustainability

We encourage green practices and economic diversity for long-term impact.

Strengthen Regional Ties

We build cross-border collaborations that unlock new market opportunities.

By the Numbers

€7.7M project

90% funded by
the European Union

7 Countries

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia

4 Years

From April 2022
to October 2026

Diverse Network

Clusters, SMEs, public bodies, universities, and training centers

Academies & Study Visits

Sharing best practices across the region

Webinars & Tech Days

Showcasing innovation & exchanging knowledge

Twinning & Matchmaking

Building partnerships across countries

Technical Support Vouchers

€360,000+ in funding for cluster growth

Policy Dialogue

Working with governments to shape better frameworks

Clusters are essential for enhancing the competitiveness of regional and national economies. By bringing together value-chain stakeholders, they create synergies, anticipate industry trends, and support value creation for member businesses. ECF supports clusters in fulfilling these roles.

Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan

QOOT Cluster Executive Director

Meet the team

Krystel Khalil

Programs Director

Jessica Hajjar

Programs Manager

Rayan Chaaban

Senior Program Officer

Jessica Hallak

Finance Director

Alexandre Bassim

Procurement Manager

Walid Freih

Communication and Outreach Manager

Yvona Nehme

Communication and Outreach Coordinator

Krystel Khalil

Programs Director

Jessica Hajjar

Programs Manager

Rayan Chaaban

Senior Program Officer

Jessica Hallak

Finance Director

Alexandre Bassim

Procurement Manager

Walid Freih

Communication and Outreach Manager

Yvona Nehme

Communication and Outreach Coordinator

Empowering Euromed Clusters to Promote Inclusive Innovation & Competitiveness

Euromed Clusters Forward is a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing the Euromed region’s cluster ecosystems by improving regulatory frameworks, boosting strategic planning, and fostering alliances among EU and Southern Mediterranean clusters.

The program in brief

Unleashing the power of business clusters for a thriving Euromed region

Euromed Clusters Forward is a 4-year project funded by the European Union to foster cluster excellence, promote inclusive innovation, enhance sustainable growth, drive economic diversification, and boost employment in the Euromed region.

Creating ecosystems for clusters

Streamlining regulatory frameworks and incentivizing collaborations as per the quintuple innovation helix framework (Academia, Industry, Policies, Public, Environment)

Boosting clusters performance & impact

Empowering clusters to develop forward-looking strategies and deliver quality services to their members for improved competitiveness, innovation, and job creation

Powering SMEs & startups performance

Connecting research institutions, startups, and SMEs to exchange best practices, accelerate innovation, adopt digital transformation, and boost economic growth

Creating business opportunities

Addressing employability and skill development through targeted initiatives and collaboration

Promoting sustainable development

Encouraging economic diversification and transforming production and distribution practices for long-term prosperity

Developing regional value chains and partnerships

Incentivizing collaboration based on territorial complementarities to strengthen regional economic ties

The project in numbers

7.7 million project

co-financed at 90% by the EU's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)

Diverse range of stakeholder

including business clusters, SMEs, local authorities, academia, and training centers

7 European and Mediterranean countries

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia

4-year project

From April 2022 to October 2026

The project's partners

Euromed Clusters Forward is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Anima with three implementing partners and nine affiliates from the Euromed region.

Clusters are nowadays indispensable tools to foster the competitiveness of regional/national economies. Clusters gather stakeholders across corresponding value chains leading to increased linkages & synergies between strategic stakeholders, anticipate industries-related trends and support in adding values to the adherent businesses. ECF is a support project for clusters to reach the aforementioned roles of clusters.

Marc Bou Zeidan — QOOT Cluster Manager

Are you interested?

Apply to Cluster Booster Now!

Deadline: June 30, 2024

The areas of intervention

Driving change across multiple levels: policy making, clusters performance, and regional value chains

Transforming Policies for Cluster Success: Euromed Clusters Forward supports public and semi-public organizations and authorities in refining and adopting measures and policies that enable clusters to thrive. This leads to increased contributions to economic development, innovation, technology, and competitiveness within the region.

Elevating Cluster Performance: The project assists clusters in enhancing their strategic and prospective planning, guiding them towards anticipating the future of their sectors and value chains. In addition, it helps build member capacities and bolsters the green and digital transitions of clusters.

Strengthening Regional Value Chains: By developing Regional Value Chains (RVC) between Europe and the South Neighborhood, Euromed Clusters Forward addresses structural imbalances that impact country competitiveness. This is achieved through supporting joint projects, facilitating connections, fostering development, and incentivizing collaborative initiatives.

The project's activities

Engaging business clusters, SMEs, public authorities, academia, and training centers

Academies and Benchmarking visits

Creating opportunities for best-practice sharing

Webinars

Facilitating knowledge exchange sessions between stakeholders

Tech Days

Showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions

Twinnings & Matchmaking

Fostering Strategic Partnerships between stakeholders

Technical Assistance

Up to €360,000 of support vouchers for clusters

Policy Dialogue

Engaging public authorities for better decision-making

Are you interested?

Join the Euromed Clusters Forward today!

Got some questions?

Send us an email and get all the info you need!

Empowering

For a Thriving Euromed Region