Today, January 31st, I can share good news — the BHV cluster successfully passed the ESCA benchmarking audit and earned the ECEI Bronze Label — a European Commission-recognized cluster management quality mark.
What actually happened during the audit
As I wrote in an earlier article, the ECEI Bronze Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” is awarded after an independent assessment by an ESCA (European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis) expert, based on 36 standardized indicators — cluster structure, governance, funding model, membership services, member interaction and achievements. Since I’m a certified ESCA expert myself since 2017 (the first in Lithuania with this qualification), I observed the process both from the inside and as the head of the organization being assessed — useful, if a slightly unusual experience.
We reviewed the cluster’s entire internal documentation, governance processes and member-interaction systems. The independent auditor pointed out a few areas for improvement — these are already part of our 2024–2025 action plan.
What this means for the BHV cluster
- International recognition. When applying to European Commission-funded projects (Horizon Europe, COSME, Interreg), ESCA labeling often strengthens an application — something our EXCITE project experience already confirmed.
- Attractiveness to members. Lithuanian and foreign companies considering joining the cluster increasingly ask about international certification — now we have a clear answer.
- Internal quality. The benchmarking process itself revealed areas of governance where we can grow — an investment in the organization’s long-term maturity, not just a badge on the website.
The Bronze Label is valid for two years; we’ll renew it by repeating the benchmarking process. BHV joins a small group of Lithuanian clusters holding this mark — no cluster in Lithuania yet holds the Silver or Gold level, so that’s our next long-term goal.
Thanks to Minvydas Latauskas and the whole cluster team for the work preparing for the audit — and to every member who patiently answered our questions during the process.
— Marius Pareščius, President of the BHV cluster, certified ESCA cluster benchmarking expert