The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) is dedicated to promoting the excellence of cluster organization management through benchmarking around the world.
Headquartered in Berlin, the organization coordinates a network of approximately 200 cluster experts from more than 30 countries who offer benchmarking services on behalf of ESCA. ESCA awards cluster organizations and their management three different quality labels.
“The Czech optical cluster has undergone a process of benchmarking and quality evaluation. Meets the eligibility criteria for awarding a quality label to cluster management. Now we can officially use the ECEI (European Cluster Excellence Initiative) designation “CLUSTER MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE LABEL BRONZE – STRIVING FOR CLUSTER EXCELLENCE” and we are very proud of it,” said Petr Přikryl, manager of the Czech Optical Cluster, adding: “this certification shows us that the work we are doing makes sense and we are moving in the right direction”
Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead of the Czech Optical Cluster. The analysis showed which areas to focus on, where there is the greatest potential for improvement, which is one of the benefits of completing the evaluation process. Another goal is the SILVER Label, which the Czech Optical Cluster will try to acquire in the coming years. The highest mark – gold label – can then be applied for with further time. Cluster excellence marks are also an important tool, especially for international cooperation. Holders of marks of excellence prove their quality and are thus more often invited to international projects.
