EcoCluP is the first pan-European partnership of cluster organisations focusing on eco-innovative industries encompassing waste, water, remediation, pollution control, environmental services, energy, sustainable transport and construction. The partnership represents most of Europe’s key clusters with a strong environmental portfolio with cluster organisations participating from Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
EcoCluP is aiming to adapt, test and implement sector-specific cluster support tools and services for fast-growing businesses thus creating better opportunities for the cluster companies to grow and internationalise. In addition, the partnership will create the Eco-Cluster Manager Campus providing a platform for eco-innovation cluster managers to exchange experiences with their peers and to further develop the profession of cluster managers as innovation professionals. The overall objective will be realised through the implementation of five work packages: a toolbox for internationalisation, a service kit supporting innovative SME’s, the Eco-Cluster Manager Campus, the Eco-Company Club for eco-innovative businesses and a practical approach for joint research cooperation.
The project is designed to be hands-on and very practical thus creating real business impact. It will reach out to the over 3,500 cluster companies (mostly SMEs) and 430 research institutions of the participating European clusters through training courses, match making events, the use of self-assessment tools, voucher schemes and tailor-made innovation advice and many more. 
Cluster Managers will be trained and will have the opportunity to share experience through Cluster Manager Days and Cluster Study Visits. Moreover, once the toolbox and the service kit have been established, the partnership will reach out to other cluster organisations and invite them to join the Eco-Cluster Manager Campus and the Eco-Company Club.
It is envisaged, as the required exit strategy from the project, that the partners commonly invest in updating the Service Kit and the Tool Box and in providing updated information on related events and business opportunities through the web portal of the Eco-Cluster Manager Campus. In addition, it is the aim of the project to establish quality criteria for the Cluster Manager profession according to the EFQM process and to establish certification processes where possible. In terms of long-term impact, the project will contribute to creating stronger cluster teams using professional innovation tools and services and supporting over 3,500 companies in their pursuit of growth and internationalisation.
Eco-Innovation is a new, multi-faceted industry that is driven by policy decisions to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, to optimise the use of natural resources, to remediate the pollution of soil, air and water and to increase energy efficiency for example in buildings and energy intensive industries. New industries with high growth potential are quickly emerging in the footsteps of these policy decisions and many traditional industries and financial organisations are now also recognising the enormous business potential of eco innovative products and services.
The Scandinavian countries, the UK, Austria, France and Germany are at the forefront of the development of eco-innovative technologies and services. This is mirrored by the emergence of new, dynamic eco-innovative cluster organisations supporting the effective cooperation of companies, research organisations and regional administrations.
The Peterborough EnviroCluster in the United Kingdom, which is run by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UK CEED), is the coordinating manager of the ‘Eco-Innovation Cluster Partnership for Internationalisation and Growth, (EcoCluP)’. 
