The Clusters Meet Regions conference, which brought together representatives of European clusters, research institutions and companies, took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on 1 and 2 July 2025. The event, organised by the European Commission in cooperation with local partners, was dedicated to the role of clusters as drivers of technology transfer and innovation.

The first day was dedicated to discussions on competitiveness and innovation, the role of clusters in shaping regional policies, and examples of good practices from different European countries. Topics such as digital transformation, connecting research and industry, and promoting sustainable development were in the foreground. Special attention was also paid to issues of gender equality in innovation ecosystems and connecting the agri-food industry with green energy solutions.

The second day brought parallel sessions on smart specialization in design and furniture industry, sustainable cities development and support for start-ups in green technologies, ICT, healthcare and agriculture sectors. Participants also visited the Furniture Excellence Centre and the research infrastructure for alternative energy sources. The conference offered a rich opportunity for networking, exchange of good practices and forging new partnerships that will strengthen European cooperation in innovation and technology transfer.