As part of the GO Furniture meta-cluster activities (ex. Furniture Go International (FGOI)), a new hub has been launched in Tuscany, Italy. Hosted by dID – Distretto Interni e Design, the hub joins an European network of collaboration spaces aimed at strengthening connections between European furniture clusters and international partners.
CONTEXT: The hubs were set up following a feasibility study to test the idea of creating physical spaces for welcoming third-country delegations. Their purpose is to offer basic support for facilitating meetings, company visits, and exchanges with European cluster organizations and businesses. Learn more about the concept here.
NEW HUB LAUNCHED – dID – Distretto Interni e Design
Located in Poggibonsi (Siena) and supported by facilities at the Design Campus in Calenzano (Florence), the new hub is coordinated by CSM – Centro Sperimentale del Mobile e dell’Arredamento. Through the dID initiative, the hub is connected to a local ecosystem of over 500 companies and collaborates closely with the University of Florence and other regional stakeholders.
The hub can host international visitors for short stays (up to one week) and provides assistance in setting up meetings and site visits.
Key Info:
Main address: Loc. Drove 15, Poggibonsi, Siena
Supporting facilities: Via S. Pertini 93, Calenzano, Florence
Requirements: Visitors are asked to notify at least one month in advance and plan at least two business meetings during their stay. The maximum duration of the visit is 1 week/visitor.
”We are keen to support innovation in the living spaces sector, even through cross-regional collaborations.”— Irene Burroni, CSM – Distretto Interni e Design
Contact persons: Irene Burroni – irene@csm.toscana.it; Ilaria Bedeschi – ilaria@csm.toscana.it
OTHER ACTIVE HUBS
The Italian hub complements existing FGOI Hubs in:
- Romania – Transylvanian Furniture Cluster, Cluj-Napoca
- Spain – AMBIT Cluster, La Sénia
- Slovenia – Wood Industry Cluster, Ljubljana
- Sweden – Interior Cluster Sweden, Växjö
- Czech Republic – Czech Furniture Cluster, Brno
- Bulgaria – Bulgarian Furniture Cluster, Sofia
Each hub operates independently and provides basic local support to visiting delegations, such as meeting arrangements and access to local infrastructure.
