Bioeconomy Cluster

About Bioeconomy Cluster

Bioeconomy Cluster (BEC) is a Slovak association of legal entities founded in December 2015 to support innovation cooperation and the exchange of information among its members. Its membership is primarily made up of businesses in agriculture and food, along with research, development and education institutions, regional and local authorities, and third-sector organizations.

The cluster works across bioeconomy-related fields, not only agriculture, and aims to connect practice with science and research. It positions itself as a platform that represents members, coordinates joint communication and promotion, and advances shared interests in the Slovak bioeconomy ecosystem.

BEC also emphasizes project cooperation, knowledge transfer, and international networking. According to its own website, it has experience with national and international projects, technology transfer, and partnerships with organizations such as OECD and JRC.

Core Values

• Innovation: The cluster is built around supporting innovation, technology transfer, and the implementation of research results into practice.
• Collaboration: BEC consistently presents cooperation as its core method, linking business, research, education, public administration, and civil society.
• Knowledge sharing: It places strong emphasis on exchanging information, building contacts, and making relevant bioeconomy knowledge accessible to members and partners.
• Sustainability: Its focus on bioeconomy, circularity, and rural value chains reflects a commitment to more sustainable production and development models.
• Practical impact: BEC highlights the connection between science and practice, aiming for solutions that address real member needs and sector challenges.

Unique Aspects

• Founded in 2015 with formal cluster recognition: BEC was established in December 2015 and was recertified by the European Cluster Excellence Secretariat in 2019 with a Bronze Cluster Excellence Label.
• Strong institutional anchoring: It co-founded the National AgroBioFood Nitra platform in 2016 together with Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and the National Agricultural and Food Centre.
• Broad network participation: BEC is active in several European and national platforms and networks, including BIOEAST, ECCP, Mainstreaming the Bioeconomy, and the Professional Council of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences at SPU in Nitra.
• International project experience: The cluster states that it and its members have experience with EU framework programmes, European territorial cooperation, the Visegrad Fund, structural funds, and participation in monitoring committees and working groups.
• Member base across the bioeconomy value chain: Its membership includes founding, associate, and strategic members from business, academia, and agriculture, giving it a cross-sector profile rather than a single-industry focus.