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Press release – Gosselies, 30 August, 2021

BioWin has been internationally recognized for its Cluster Management Excellence and obtained the Silver quality label from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA).

First Competitiveness Cluster in Belgium to obtain this European Quality Label.

To obtain this accreditation BioWin has been subjected to a benchmarking analysis and a certification audit, which showed that the Cluster management processes provide added value and confirm the quality and impact of the Cluster in the Region as well as in Europe.

Benchmarking covers the following areas:

  • Cluster structure
  • Management, strategy
  • Financing
  • Services provided
  • Contacts and interactions with the environment
  • Results of operation and the cluster’s reputation

The certificate is an authentication tool for Cluster organizations. It confirms their quality and value. Its task is to distinguish them, motivate them to compete and contribute to the growth of interest in the cluster of potential partners. It is awarded by the ESCA only to the best Cluster organizations and only for two years.

Sylvie Ponchaut, Managing Director at BioWin commented:

” The Silver quality label is a testament to BioWin’s dedication for Cluster excellence according to the methodology of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) and recognizes the continuous improvements performed by the Cluster Management and its team members.  BioWin is the first competitiveness cluster in Belgium accredited with the Silver quality label.

The certification system is an activity recognized throughout Europe and the Walloon Government encourages such initiatives which aim to develop a real culture of evaluation by recognized independent bodies.

About the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA):

The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) is the one-stop shop for promoting Cluster Management Excellence through benchmarking and quality labelling of cluster management organizations worldwide. The Berlin-based organization coordinates a network of around 200 cluster experts from more than 30 countries, which offer benchmarking and labelling services on behalf of ESCA. In addition, ESCA provides hands-on advice to cluster managers on cluster development and supports cluster policy makers and program owners with advice on cluster program development.

The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis awards three different Quality Labels to qualified cluster management organizations: Bronze, Silver & Gold.

More information on the ECEI Silver Label can be found on the website of ESCA (European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis) https://www.cluster-analysis.org/silver-label

About the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI)

The ECEI, initiated by the European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, was aiming for the development of methodologies and tools in order to support cluster organizations to improve their capabilities in the management of networks and clusters. Within this context, 13 project partners from 9 countries – all well experienced in the field of cluster management and support – created a uniform set of cluster management quality indicators and developed a quality labelling system for professional cluster management with the aim to have this methodology and proof of evidence accepted and recognized all over Europe.

ECEI is established by the EU Commission and consists of three certification levels / labels – gold, silver and bronze – each with a set of common European quality indicators for measuring cluster management.

More information on Gold, Silver, Bronze labels: https://www.cluster-analysis.org/

 About BioWin

BioWin is the Health Cluster of Wallonia, Belgium, the regional reference holder for all stakeholders in health biotech and MedTech research and innovation projects.

Its mission is to accelerate innovation to:

  • meet tomorrow’s public health challenges.
  • develop the knowledge, employment, and competitiveness of all players in the health sector ecosystem in Wallonia.

by bringing together all the innovation system players in Wallonia’s life science field, with the goal of stimulating regional economic redeployment. The cluster is also involved in implementing the sector’s industrial policy (industrial innovation and research, training, support for business growth). The purpose of this is to develop and anchor skills, knowledge, and jobs. For more information visit www.biowin.org

CONTACT:

Alexandra Schiettekatte
Head of Communications Biowin
0476 65 04 38
alexandra.schiettekatte@biowin.org