INPUT PAPER: Clusters meet Regions event in Palma Clusters as Drivers of Regional Transition from Linear to Circular Economy

The following paper presents observations on the cluster landscape of the Balearic Islands in light of their efforts to transition from a tourism-dependent economy toward one driven by innovation, sustainability, and circularity. It outlines key considerations for the region’s future development, particularly in relation to smart specialisation, green and digital transformation, and economic diversification. These issues are central to the Clusters Meet Regions event in Palma on May 14 & 15, which highlights how clusters can serve as enablers of regional transitions and help foster innovation ecosystems. The event provides a platform to exchange best practices and explore synergies between clusters, SMEs, and regional stakeholders across Europe. This paper aims to contribute to those discussions by summarising the current cluster landscape and identifying strategic questions for further exploration.