1. What is a cluster?

A cluster is a geographical grouping of firms that belong predominantly to one economic sector, that produce and sell a range of related or complementary products. Alternatively, a cluster can also mean an industrial district of mostly small and specialized firms that perform different, but complementary activities and that are linked horizontally and vertically through a mix of cooperative and competitive relations.

3. What is the Green Cluster?
​​Green Cluster is a platform for Cypriot nano-SMEs, start-ups, groups of people and individual entrepreneurs that share common values on sustainability and innovation. The Green Cluster brings together professionals from sectors seemingly unrelated, in a cluster that is continuously expanding, with the aim to:
  • strengthen joint activities, increase innovation, networking, trust building and sharing of infrastructure without bureaucracy
  • promote business growth, extroversion and internalization of ideas, concepts and efforts by providing information on sources of funding
  • support Cypriot entrepreneurs to export their services or products to an international market and boost innovation
The Green Cluster is a new initiative being developed by AKTI Project and Research Centre.

5. Why join the Green Cluster?

Clustering can be a solution to enhancing economic and environmental competitiveness include: Green Cluster members benefits include:
  • Access to knowledge and information resources  
  • Access to other geographical or economic areas thus maintaining or improving their market share
  • Access to funds- SMEs, start-ups and individuals can use the power of the cluster to access funds from national and EU bodies and implement norms and standards
  • Employment generation- By setting high norms for sustainability, firms and communities in a cluster can seek joint actions for environmental sustainability and economic development
  • Higher specialisation, higher concentration of SMEs both from supply and demand sides as well as cluster support institutions can contribute to specialisation
  • Lower production and transaction costs through inter-firm trust building, Creation of synergies and co-operative linkages between companies
  • Economies of scale in purchase of inputs- by cooperating small firms can overcome their material disadvantages
  • Economies of scale and scope in R&D- Joint R&D-activities help to share fixed costs, improve the efficiency of the innovation process and obtain market access
  • Formation of local supporting institutions oriented towards specific needs of cluster members
9. What are my obligations as a member?
To comply with the code of conduct.
2. What are the main characteristics of a Cluster relevant to Cyprus?
​
  • The main characteristics are: a group of geographically concentrated and specialised small and medium-sized enterprises
  • a common behavioural code because the actors are linked by the same cultural and social background
  • a set of linkages between enterprises based on the exchange of goods, services, labour and information
  • a network of public and private local and international institutions which support the actors in the cluster
  • clusters are closely embedded in their regional environment
4. What is the difference between Green Cluster and other Clusters abroad?
Clusters imply one sector, similar or complementary activities, and are as such specifically implemented abroad. Instead, the Green Cluster is an all-encompassing cluster, appealing to firms from all sectors of the economy with potential for green growth. As a result, the Green Cluster is a country-wide cluster, and is not limited to an industrial district, a region or city. The reason is the small size of the island and the growth potential of the newly-expanding green sector of Cyprus. Additionally, the Green Cluster is a cluster of products and services as opposed to a raw material, energy or by-product exchange between industries. The cluster will include local and non-local support institutions in the form of NGOs, research institutes and civil society organisations. Ultimately the cluster will function as a social cluster of synergistic relationships between smaller sector-wide clusters. In other words, the Green Cluster will be a cluster of clusters.
6. What is the cost of joining the Green Cluster?
There is no cost for becoming a member of Green Cluster. The power of the Green Cluster comes from its evolving networks and synergies.
7. How does it work?
If you are interested in joining the cluster, please read and agree with the code of conduct, and fill out our membership application form. Your application form will be reviewed, and if accepted, you will receive an email confirming your membership.  Additionally, your profile information will become visible on our members interactive map. You will also be contacted for future training and networking activities relevant to your sector.
8. How are the synergies between the members developed?
Typical ways of clustering include:
  • Geographically; localised clustering of economic activities, mainly in a region, with the presence of a skilled labour pool and firms providing specialised inputs;
  • Vertically; clustering of synergistically interdependent firms (suppliers, main producers and users) in a value chain of a certain product
  • Horizontally; clustering of firms that perform similar activities and that are direct competitors outside the cluster on the product market
  • Institutionally; clustering as an interactive learning process between economically competent firms and other institutions generating and utilising new technologies
Ultimately, synergies are context-dependent; they depend on types, size, location and needs of our members, and will therefore be developed accordingly.
10. What is the profit for AKTI?
There is no economic profit for AKTI. The benefit for AKTI is promoting sustainable development through novel ideas and best practices, educating the public, and ultimately encouraging start-ups, entrepreneurial activity and innovation.