Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
The ALICE Logistics Innovation Summit session “Connecting the Regional, National, and European Dimensions of Freight Transport and Logistics Innovation Landscape” provided a dynamic forum to explore how clusters – both as geographical concentrations of logistics companies and as structured organisations – are driving logistics innovation and supporting industry competitiveness. The session highlighted their role in accelerating digitisation, enhancing sustainability and building resilience in European supply chains.
ALICE connects the European Research & Innovation ecosystem in its different dimensions from global to regional and local. Several regional R&I driven logistics clusters fostering competitiveness and innovation in their geographical context are members of ALICE and part of the Logistics Clusters Group.
Moderated by Elvina Nowak, ALICE Logistics Clusters Group Manager, the session featured insights from keynote speaker Antonio Novo, President of the European Clusters Alliance, and panellists Bernard Piette (Logistics in Wallonia), Janne Lausvaara (LIMOWA) and Nathan Jarjot-Jover (CARA) as part of the ALICE Logistics Clusters Group. Through this group, we strengthen partnerships, and share best practices on how to engage with SMEs to innovate, promote innovation exchange and scale-up across our networks.
The value of clusters and cluster organisations
Clusters are geographical concentrations of interconnected industries that drive regional economic growth, foster innovation, and improve industry performance. Examples such as the Aviation Valley in Poland illustrate how clusters enhance specialisation and create value by bringing together industries, educational institutions, and research centres.
Cluster organisations, on the other hand, are structured entities that coordinate collaboration, networking, and strategic partnerships within these ecosystems. They provide services such as innovation projects, workforce training, business intelligence and international matchmaking. Together, clusters and their organisations form the backbone of regional innovation ecosystems across Europe, supporting over 150,000 organisations through some 1,000 registered cluster groups.
Key challenges and opportunities
Decarbonisation and sustainability
Reducing emissions in logistics is an urgent priority. Greater coordination at the European level is needed to overcome barriers and ensure scalability of sustainable practices but also considering the regional dimension of the challenge and concerned ecosystems.
Clusters are uniquely positioned to address these issues, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access shared resources, adapt to regulatory requirements including 20+ legislative updates part of the European Green Deal, Fit for 55 and Greening Freight Package monitored as part of ALICE Policy Monitoring.
Accelerating digitalisation
The digital transformation of logistics is reshaping operational efficiency, from last-mile delivery to freight management and automated processes. Clusters are driving the adoption of these technologies, but SMEs often face economic and technical barriers that prevent a rapid transition. Efforts to harmonise digitalisation strategies across regions can help create a more inclusive ecosystem, benefiting companies of all sizes. Clusters play an important role in bringing EU policies to the ground of the regions e.g. Digital Europe including the Data Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, eFTI (Electronic Freight Transport Information) regulation and data Spaces.
Workforce development
The logistics sector continues to face significant skills gaps, particularly in areas related to sustainability and digitalisation. Clusters play a significant role in addressing this challenge by providing training, fostering cross-sector knowledge exchange and connecting SMEs with expert resources.
Cluster ecosystems as drivers of innovation
European clusters play a role in the co-evolution of industrial ecosystems, connecting stakeholders across industries and regions. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, policy makers and civil society, clusters enable the development of comprehensive solutions to complex challenges.
At European level, platforms such as the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) provide clusters with tools and services to strengthen these networks. Initiatives such as the Trend Universe and interactive workshops (e.g. C2Lab) help clusters navigate emerging technologies and align with European priorities for green and digital transitions.
The role of clusters in supporting SMEs
Clusters provide a support system for SMEs by providing:
Projects such as CAFEIN demonstrate the potential of clusters to coordinate efforts across borders, bringing together innovation agencies and cluster organisations to support SMEs through joint action plans addressing green and industrial transition challenges.
Bridging regional and European strategies
Aligning local and regional efforts with EU strategies is essential to achieve a competitive and sustainable logistics sector. The session highlighted the importance of fostering cross-border cooperation, harmonising regulations and strengthening links between regional clusters and European programmes.
By promoting alignment and enabling knowledge exchange, clusters can better address common challenges such as emissions reduction, digital transformation and skills shortages, while helping SMEs adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.
The session concluded with a clear message: clusters must be at the forefront of Europe’s green and digital transformation. Harnessing the collective strength of clusters and their organisations will be essential to address global challenges, increase competitiveness and build resilient supply chains.
To achieve these goals, a stronger alignment between local innovation ecosystems and European priorities is essential. Clusters are already demonstrating their capacity to drive change, but continued investment, collaboration and policy support will be essential to sustain progress.
ALICE connects the European Research & Innovation ecosystem in its different dimensions from global to regional and local. Several regional R&I driven logistics clusters fostering competitiveness and innovation in their geographical context are members of ALICE and part of the Logistics Clusters Group.
