On July 1–2, 2025, the PENELOPE project was proudly represented at the Clusters Meet Regions event held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Organized by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) on behalf of the European Commission, in partnership with Smart Transylvania, CLUSTERO – The Romanian Cluster Association, and the North-West Regional Development Agency (ADR NV), the event gathered key players from across Europe to explore the role of clusters in boosting technology transfer, innovation, and sustainable regional development.

With a dynamic agenda featuring high-level discussions, thematic workshops, matchmaking sessions, and site visits, the event brought together cluster managers, policymakers, and innovation actors to strengthen interregional collaboration.

Among the parallel sessions was a powerful and inspiring panel discussion titled “Advancing Gender Equity to Foster Inclusive Growth Through Clusters,” moderated by Ioana Dragoș (ADR NV). The session highlighted diverse approaches to promoting gender equality in innovation ecosystems. Notable contributions included:

  • Anders Olsson on the journey of Sweden’s Region Värmland toward leading gender equality metrics;
  • Valeria Bandini, sharing insights from the Interreg Europe Project DEBUTING in Emilia-Romagna, Italy;
  • Andra Tănase, introducing the framework behind the Horizon Europe GILL Project;
  • Paula Mihai, presenting the Erasmus+ Girls4Economy initiative for young women in vulnerable communities.

Our partners, Mirela Greti Puiu and Lucia Seel, had the pleasure of presenting the key outputs of the PENELOPE Project, aimed at supporting European clusters in implementing gender mainstreaming strategies:

  • The GENDER EQUALITY TRAINING HANDBOOK, a first-of-its-kind resource tailored for clusters, offering definitions, good practices, and practical tools;
  • The Video Toolkit, featuring expert advice and real-world examples on inclusive workplace practices;
  • The PENELOPE e-learning platform, a modern online space tailored to support clusters, SMEs, and policymakers in advancing gender equality in the workplace. The PENELOPE e-learning platform has two different training paths:
  • Training Path for SMEs: This course helps SMEs build a more inclusive workplace by integrating gender equality into recruitment, career development, and company culture. It offers practical tools to enhance innovation, employee satisfaction, and business performance through gender-inclusive strategies.
  • Training Path for Clusters: This course focuses on innovation, capacity building, networking and awareness, empowering clusters to drive inclusion, strengthen collaboration, and boost competitiveness across the SME ecosystem.

The presentation closed with an invitation granted to the participants to take part in our upcoming gender equality workshops, which will offer further guidance and peer learning opportunities to clusters and SMEs across Europe.

And of course, we announced the PENELOPE FINAL CONFERENCE taking place online on 30 October 2025 between 10.00 – 11.00 hrs CET. Save the date in your calender!

We were honored to contribute to such a meaningful conversation and look forward to continuing our work in promoting equality, inclusion, and innovation through the PENELOPE project.