After the EXCITE project concluded, a natural question arises: what should the cluster do next — how to manage internal processes, how to assess itself in an international context, how to prove to partners and members that the organization operates systematically. In Europe, the answer comes from the ECEI – European Cluster Excellence Initiative and its administrator ESCA (European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis), based in Berlin.
What is the ECEI Bronze Label
The ECEI Bronze Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” is an official, European Commission-recognized cluster management quality mark. It’s awarded to clusters that successfully pass an independent expert audit (called benchmarking), which assesses the cluster’s structure, governance, funding model, membership services, member interaction and achievements.
The entire assessment follows 36 standardized indicators. The audit is conducted by certified ESCA experts — today there are around 100 of them across 26 countries. I’m one of these experts myself — ESCA certified me in 2017 in Berlin (the first in Lithuania to hold this qualification), so we not only want this label for the BHV cluster, but I also understand the whole process from the inside.
The Bronze Label is valid for two years. It can be renewed under the same conditions if the cluster repeats the benchmarking process no later than one year after expiry.
Why BHV is pursuing it
Three main reasons:
- International recognition. The ECEI Bronze Label gives the cluster and its members international credibility. This matters especially when applying to European Commission-funded projects (Horizon Europe, COSME, Interreg, etc.) — ESCA labeling is often either required or significantly strengthens an application. The EXCITE project’s success already confirmed this.
- Internal quality. The benchmarking process itself is very valuable: an outside expert helps reveal weaknesses in cluster management that we often don’t notice from within. It’s an investment in the organization’s long-term maturity.
- Attractiveness to members. Lithuanian and foreign companies considering joining the cluster increasingly ask whether it holds international certification. It’s the simplest way to confirm the cluster operates professionally.
Who else in Lithuania holds this label
To my latest knowledge, a few clusters in Lithuania currently hold or have held this label: among them “PrefabLT” (prefabricated timber homes), “LITEK” (laser and engineering technologies), and several health, energy and transport cluster organizations.
No cluster in Lithuania yet holds the Silver or Gold level marks — that’s a long-term goal we’re working towards.
What’s next
In the near term, the BHV cluster begins the benchmarking audit preparation process. This includes a full review of the cluster’s internal documentation, describing governance processes, and taking stock of member-interaction systems.
We’ll report separately on the audit’s results — whether we receive the Bronze Label, and what changes the expert recommends. This label will also appear in our website’s design as official confirmation that the BHV cluster operates to European quality standards.
— Marius Pareščius, President of the BHV cluster, certified ESCA cluster benchmarking expert