Strengthening ties – Highlights from the EACP General Assembly 2024
The European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP) General Assembly 2024 in Aix-en-Provence was a well-attended gathering of over 40 European aerospace clusters. The atmosphere was collaborative and welcoming, with Niklas Schilling, coordinator of EACP, describing the organisation as a “family”.
The multi-day event featured presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. Jérôme Perrin from Pôle SAFE opened with an overview of the French aerospace cluster landscape, emphasising regional cooperation. This spirit of collaboration continued throughout the event, with contributions from the various French clusters.
The agenda included updates on the past year’s activities, with progress reports from the EACP Working Groups focusing on coordination, supply chain, internationalisation, skills, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Their presentations highlighted significant achievements and the enthusiasm behind these initiatives.
A key moment was the voting session, where AERA from Aragón, Spain, was chosen to host next year’s General Assembly in Zaragoza. Claudia Sidor from Aviation Valley in Poland was also voted as co-lead of the Internationalisation Working Group. Updates on European projects like ECARE and METASTARS showcased progress in clean aviation and regional collaboration.
Networking was a major highlight, with participants enjoying a French lunch, group photo, and an evening dinner attended by nearly 90 people, including local companies. These moments were vital for building new relationships and strengthening existing ones.
Overall, the EACP General Assembly 2024 was an inspiring event, filled with productive discussions, key decisions, and valuable networking opportunities, reaffirming the aerospace community’s commitment to innovation and cooperation.