Competitiveness School

The Competitiveness School: the annual forum for policy makers and senior economic development practitioners

The Competitiveness School programme is designed to be an enriching experience specifically tailored for senior policy-making officers and seasoned professionals in economic development. The course typically gathers participants from a wide array of countries and diverse areas of competitiveness and cluster-related fields. It offers the opportunity to network with peers, learn from the faculty members and engage with new perspectives.

Participants taking the class benefit from a deep understanding of clusters and cluster initiatives, and their application in economic development and competitiveness policies. The programme aims at giving an in-depth overview of the core principles, methodology and strategies delivered during the longer training programmes of the Foundation for Cluster and Competitiveness. It works as an extremely insightful workshop crafted to enable senior stakeholders to reflect on the pertinence to enroll their teams in the training programmes of the Foundation.

The Competitiveness School is an annual programme; it usually takes place in Barcelona and in Washington D.C. every other year. A mind-provoking event not to be missed.

Competitiveness School 2024

30 September to 04 October

There has been a demonstrably heightened emphasis on sustainability within the corporate and public spheres.  This newfound prioritisation, however, has not always been coupled with a correspondingly robust comprehension of the underlying principles and practical implementation strategies associated with sustainability. Given the current context of a rapidly evolving climate crisis and intensifying stakeholder pressure, a perfunctory, checklist-based approach to sustainability is demonstrably inadequate. A comprehensive grasp of the core tenets of sustainability, along with a multifaceted perspective that encompasses the relevant political, economic, technological factors, is now an essential prerequisite.

This year’s Competitive Summer School, offered in collaboartion with IESE Business school, University of Navarra, is titled " Sustainable Cluster-based Development: With Example of Agricultural Clusters." This hybrid course delves into the multifaceted nature of sustainability, using the agri-food sector as a compelling case study. The intensive week-long programme encompasses both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Renowned faculty from IESE Business School and FCC, as well distinguished external instructors, will guide participants through various sustainability dimensions, including the dynamics of sustainable transitions and the strategic role of cluster-based development policies. The curriculum delves into strategies for mitigating climate risks and conserving natural resources, all while fostering sound sustainability practices within your specific business context. This programme will equip you with a robust toolkit for integrating sustainability into cluster-based economic development policies and/or directing your cluster organisation towards a more sustainable future.