We are…
Committed to Innovation and Collaboration
Industry Innovation Cluster is a group of highly engaged and proactive corporates established and operating in Slovakia those projects explore innovative technologies and services to improve transportation options, customer experiences, manufacturing processes and any other smart mobility related topic. The challenge to initiate innovation beyond established processes, industries and even corporate borders can be better overcome with the support of a devoted team inside a dedicated Innovation or R&D Center. The Cluster’s joint initiative aims to share innovative ideas, create joint teams and co-finance innovation-related projects, sharing the results at the end.
- Innovation, information, artificial intelligence this is our Aim
- Implementation of advanced technologies in companies is a Target
- Development of the Industrial Industry is our Goal
We are dynamic network of forward-thinking companies, research institutions, and public organizations dedicated to fostering innovation and digital transformation across various industrial sectors in Slovakia and Europe. Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, support sustainable growth, and strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
At IIC, we believe that innovation thrives through partnership, and together we drive progress for a sustainable industrial future.
We facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building by connecting industry players with experts, technology providers, and funding opportunities. Through targeted projects, events, and training programs, IIC empowers its members to navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0 and contribute to a smarter, greener, and more resilient industrial ecosystem.
Strategy
Our Vision, Mission, and Priorities
Vision for 2030
By 2030, the Industry Innovation Cluster (IIC) aims to become a trusted partner in the digital transformation of the Slovak economy and a recognised innovation ecosystem connecting industry, research organisations, universities and public institutions. Through collaboration, cutting-edge technologies and ethical innovation, IIC will contribute to building a competitive, sustainable and data-driven economy with high added value.
The cluster will strengthen the competitiveness of its members and the wider innovation ecosystem by supporting research, development and innovation, promoting artificial intelligence, data spaces, data economy and green technologies, while fostering international cooperation and participation in European innovation initiatives.
Objectives
Increasing Access to Blended Funding for the Digital Transformation of the Slovak Economy
Building strong partnerships is essential for unlocking funding opportunities from European, national and private sources. IIC brings together complementary expertise from industry, academia and the public sector to create multidisciplinary teams capable of preparing and implementing ambitious research, development and innovation projects. By combining different funding instruments and collaborative approaches, the cluster helps accelerate innovation and maximise project impact.
Fostering an Innovation Ecosystem to Strengthen Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth
Innovation thrives through collaboration across sectors and disciplines. IIC promotes an open innovation ecosystem where companies, research organisations, universities and public institutions work together to develop new technologies, business models and data-driven solutions. The cluster supports cooperation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Spaces, Green Technologies and Digital Transformation while building trusted partnerships that enable knowledge sharing, technology transfer and sustainable innovation at both national and European levels.
Full text of our Strategy 2026-2030
Compliance with regional, national and international strategic documents
- Strategy of Smart Industry, Slovakia READ MORE
- Slovak Digital Transformation Strategy 2030 READ MORE
- A Vision for the European Industry until 2030 READ MORE
- Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology READ MORE
- Smart Specialization Strategy SK RIS3 2021+ READ MORE
- The National Digital Skills Strategy and Action Plan 2023–2026 READ MORE
- The OECD Skills Strategy Slovak Republic READ MORE
- The Strategy for Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Guidance 2021–2030 READ MORE
- The Recovery and Resilience Plan and Programme Slovakia READ MORE
Gender Equality Plan
Advancing Inclusion Through Equal Representation
Introduction
The Industry Innovation Cluster (hereinafter also referred to as “IIC”) is an interest association of legal entities that was established in accordance with §20f et seq. of the Civil Code It operates throughout the territory of the Slovak Republic and the subject of the Association’s activities is:
- Bringing together leaders of Slovak industry in order to create and improve innovation in Slovakia,
- Promoting cooperation in sharing innovative ideas and “know-how” in the field of research and development,
- Promoting cooperation between academia and the business environment,
- Participating in the development of new financial instruments to co-finance innovative projects in the field of Smart Industry, Smart Mobility and Smart Cities from private and public sources,
- Promoting an innovative ecosystem in the Slovak Republic,
- Identification of possible opportunities for cooperation in the field of research and development between the members of the Association and universities,
- Shared management of major innovative projects with consulting and coaching opportunities,
- Implementation of a wide range of activities in the field of EU funding,
- Creation and sharing of useful “know-how” among the members of the Association.
- Conduct research and development in the field of natural and technical science
The members of the EIC are legal entities that carry out business activities in economic sectors or which are related to business activities by their focus. IIC is also represented in international institutions. From a sectoral point of view, IIC members are business entities across the economy – manufacturing, commercial companies, companies providing services in the field of science and research, universities and colleges.
Legislative bases of the Slovak Republic in the field of gender equality
The CIP Gender Equality Plan is based on the basic principles of the protection of human rights and freedoms, including gender equality, enshrined in relevant documents of valid Slovak and international legislation. Within the framework of national legislation, equality in fundamental rights and freedoms regardless of gender, race, color, language, faith and religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, membership of a nationality or ethnic group, property, gender or other status is declared by Constitutional Act No. 460/1992 Coll.
Constitution of the Slovak Republic Regardless of the above-mentioned specifics in employment and employment relationships of natural persons, equality is guaranteed by Act No. 311/2001 Coll. The Labour Code, which stipulates that women and men have the right to equal treatment as regards access to employment, remuneration and promotion, vocational training and working conditions. The principle of equal treatment and protection against various forms of discrimination is set out in Act No. 365/2004 Coll. on Equal Treatment in Certain Areas and Protection against Discrimination and on Amendments to Certain Acts (Anti-Discrimination Act).
The Slovak Republic subscribes to the values of the European Union and its priorities. Promoting equality between women and men is the role of the Union in all its activities as required by the Treaties. Gender equality is a fundamental value of the EU, a fundamental right1. Following the European Strategy for Gender Equality 2020-2025, the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities in the Slovak Republic for 2021-2027 and the subsequent Action Plan for Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities for 2021-2027 were approved in May 2021.
Gender equality at IIC
Since its inception, IIC has been governed by applicable legislation at the national and international level. It fully respects the international conventions to which the Slovak Republic has acceded, including the Lisbon Strategy and adherence to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
According to standard ethical principles (code of ethics), IIC creates working conditions for all its professionals and employees in accordance with their classification, regardless of their nationality, race, sexual orientation, religion or cultural differences. IIC also ensures compliance with generally known and respected moral and ethical principles of integrity in science, research and education based on good morals… “.
In accordance with its standard work regulations, IIC guarantees equal treatment to all professional workers, employees and officials and prohibits discrimination also on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, marital and family status, race, skin color, disability, language, political or other opinion, membership of a national minority, religion or belief, trade union activity, national or social origin, property, gender or other status.
The EIC has adopted this conceptual plan for monitoring, evaluating and promoting gender equality, reconciliation of family and work life and the empowerment of women in the workplace under the Gender Equality Plan, coupled with the preparation of project proposals under the Horizon Europe calls.
Human resources of IIC
IIC monitors the gender structure of employees annually as part of the preparation of the IIC Annual Activity Report. An insight into the share of men and women in the field of education, research and development is provided by internal employee records and reports prepared for the purposes of state statistical surveys for the needs of the Slovak Republic.
The statutory bodies of IIC and the Supervisory Board of IIC are created in accordance with the statutes of the association, which are registered at the relevant district office at the place of the registered office of IIC and subsequently on the basis of the results of the elections to the bodies of IIC.
EIC Gender Equality Plan
IIC has set out its areas and objectives of the IIC Gender Equality Plan. The primary objectives for the period 2023-2027 are:
- institutionalize gender equality in the CIP,
- create conditions for gender balance in IIC management positions,
- promote successful women, monitor and evaluate statistical data on the gender aspect at the EIC,
- raise awareness of female employees in the field of gender-based violence and sexual harassment,
- create conditions for the reconciliation of personal and professional life of employees.
When implementing the Gender Equality Plan, the KIC takes into account the main recommended areas set by the European Union, namely: gender equality in the recruitment process and career advancement; gender balance in management and decision-making positions; inclusion of the gender dimension in the content of education; measures against gender-based violence; reconciliation of personal and professional life and organizational culture.
The IIC Gender Equality Plan for 2023-2027 specifies the planned activities with objectives and activities aimed at promoting IIC Gender Equality. The President of IIC is responsible for the implementation of the IIC Gender Equality Plan.
Responsible person: Martina Le Gall Maláková (malakova@industryinnovationcluster.sk)
