15. Mai 2018 Gold-Standard: Life Science Nord Cluster is recognized at European level again

Life Science Nord’s cluster management has been assessed by the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) for the second time and awarded the Gold Label. In addition to Life Science Nord, a further 11 life science clusters in Europe – including three in Germany – have qualified for the “Cluster Organisation Management Excellence Label (Quality Label) GOLD”. In the one-day assessment in February two independent cluster experts considered 31 quality criteria, including strategic focus, cluster structure, funding and targets reached so far. The services offered by LSN such as the online cooperation platform LSN XCHANGE, its newsletter and LSN magazine were highlighted as positives. A further strength according to the experts is the cluster management's diverse network with numerous contacts to industry players. Hamburg's minister for economic affairs Frank Horch says: "Our understanding is that the Gold Label is awarded to the overall cluster together with all its players. The unique structures in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein with an established network of dynamic and cooperative enterprises and research institutes in combination with the cluster management are worthy of gold." Dr. Mathias Kraas, first chairman of Life Science Nord e.V, sums up the re-assessment as follows: "A further positive feature of the cluster is the commitment displayed by many players, which is demonstrated in the association's working groups. "On this basis, successful groups have emerged, for example on regulatory affairs and CE documentation. We want to extend the offering in the future."

Post Audit - Pre Strategy

The direction is due to be set over the coming months when Life Science Nord defines the cluster's strategic objectives together with the political, business and scientific players. "We will have to deal with highly topical subjects such as digitalization in the life sciences in particular," stresses Schleswig-Holstein's minister for economic affairs Dr. Bernd Buchholz. He says the process will involve addressing challenges such as cooperation across cluster borders (cross clusters) and providing greater support to such structures. "In the future, it will become increasingly necessary to collaborate with other sectors in order to develop successful solutions."

About the Gold Label

The "Cluster Organisation Management Excellence Label GOLD - Proven for Cluster Excellence" is awarded by the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI). It was developed in 2009 on the initiative of the European Commission with the aim of creating an independent, voluntary process to assess the quality of cluster managements that applies throughout Europe. Organizations from 13 European countries with extensive knowledge in cluster management and cluster policy are represented in the initiative. To qualify for the GOLD Label, the participating cluster management organizations are required to demonstrate expertise in various "levels of excellence". Besides the organizational structure, management and funding of the cluster, its strategy, services offered and public visibility are also covered. More under: www.cluster-analysis.org