The QOOT Agri-Food Innovation Cluster has once again been awarded the prestigious ‘Cluster Management Excellence Label Silver – Dedicated to Cluster Excellence’ by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA). This renewal, marking QOOT Cluster’s achievement of the Silver label for the second consecutive time, underscores its continuous improvements and adherence to the methodologies of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI). The ESCA, based in Berlin, is a globally recognized organization that provides benchmarking and advisory services to cluster managers and policymakers, fostering excellence in cluster management and innovation. This milestone solidifies QOOT Cluster’s position as a leader in cluster management excellence in the region.
A Benchmark of Excellence
The Silver Label certifies organizations that demonstrate excellence in managing cluster operations, fostering innovation, collaboration, and driving economic development, while showcasing a long-term commitment to sustainable growth and prosperity. This achievement reflects QOOT Cluster’s ongoing efforts to enhance its management practices, beginning with earning the BRONZE Label in July 2019 and the Silver Label for the first time in December 2022. The renewal of the Silver Label underscores the importance of sustaining excellence in cluster management and further reinforces QOOT Cluster’s dedication to continuous improvement. It highlights strengths, identifies areas for improvement, and ensures continuous progress toward excellence. Renewing the Silver Label enhances QOOT’s credibility, reinforcing trust among members, partners, and funders. It unlocks new opportunities for collaboration, funding, and knowledge-sharing, positioning QOOT Cluster as a leader in the Agri-Food sector.
“The Silver Label assessment is vital for QOOT Cluster as it demonstrates its dedication to maintaining high standards in cluster management. This achievement strengthens QOOT’s ability to support its members, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable growth for the future.” Therese Maalouf – QOOT Cluster Senior Coordinator
Building on this, the assessment was conducted via video on December 10, 2024, due to the war-related disruptions in Lebanon and the travel warnings. It was led by ESCA experts Dr. Oliver Ziegler (Head of Government Relations and Senior Project Manager) and Helmut Kergel (Director at ESCA), both senior consultants at VDI/VDE-IT in Berlin, Germany.
“In the short time of its existence, the QOOT cluster has developed into a well-managed and professionally run cluster organization with a clear dedication to cluster management excellence. Against the background of an extremely challenging environment with war-related disruptions, the QOOT management team has been showing an impressive degree of resilience and a remarkable spirit to achieve the cluster’s goals. The renewal of the ECEI Silver Label is well deserved.” Helmut Kergel
Representatives from the Sustainable Energy Cluster and Waste Management Cluster also attended as observers, highlighting QOOT Cluster’s role in coaching and supporting emerging Lebanese clusters.
The Silver Label Significance
The “Cluster Management Excellence Silver Label” is a distinguished certification that recognizes clusters demonstrating exceptional management capabilities and a commitment to continuous improvement. Receiving this label, especially as a renewal, highlights QOOT Cluster’s alignment with global standards of excellence and its pivotal role in driving cluster development within challenging contexts. The Silver Label validates QOOT Cluster’s resilience and its efforts to maintain high performance while setting the stage for future achievements, such as the pursuit of the GOLD Label. The assessment covered 18 indicators tackling the strategy and structure, the management and governance, the services provided, the involvement and interaction of members, the integration into the innovation system, and the achievements and positioning of the cluster, among others.
QOOT Cluster’s Silver Label certification has been officially recognized and listed on ESCA’s website. You can view the official listing and see the cluster’s name alongside other certified organizations in the food industry globally here.
A Milestone of Excellence
This milestone not only recognizes QOOT Cluster’s efforts in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the industry but also affirms its ability to support local businesses in excelling, maintaining competitiveness, and adapting to ongoing changes. This achievement ensures that Lebanon’s Agri-Food sector remains on a path of long-term growth and stability.
