ABOUT US

ZONE Cluster is a decisive, independent professional platform for the mobility transition of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The cluster was founded in 2018 through the cooperation of leading Hungarian automotive, ICT, and aerospace companies.

ABOUT US

ZONE Cluster is a decisive, independent professional platform for the mobility transition of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The cluster was founded in 2018 through the cooperation of leading Hungarian automotive, ICT, and aerospace companies.

We provide a neutral meeting ground where the entire mobility value chain converges: OEMs, Tier 1-2 suppliers, SMEs, universities, cities, and EU institutions. We support the players of the sector as an independent and impartial professional base, free from all external interests. In terms of legal form, we are a privately owned, self-sustaining nonprofit Ltd., driven exclusively by its mission: our goal is to make the CEE region a decisive and active shaper of the European mobility transformation, rather than remaining merely a passive "assembly plant."
Our core activities range from knowledge transfer to managing EU projects. We connect knowledge, funding, and professionals within the mobility ecosystem: from supporting SMEs in workforce reskilling and digital maturity to EU-funded R&D and innovation collaborations and high-level policy dialogue. As the consortium leader of the Hungarian Data-EDIH 2.0 (2026-2028) project, together with our eight consortium partners, we provide artificial intelligence and data-driven transformation services to Hungarian manufacturing and processing SMEs.

SERVICES AND AREAS OF COOPERATION FOR ZONE CLUSTER'S INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Digital & AI readiness: Providing comprehensive assessments and test-before-invest services for automotive SMEs.
Workforce transformation: Complex training programs, reskilling, upskilling, and a system of micro-credentials.
EU project development: Consortium building and project development within direct EU funding programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme (DEP), Interreg, and COSME frameworks).
Policy intelligence & market access: Guidance on the European Green Deal and AI Act regulations; facilitating CEE exports and European value chain integration.
Ecosystem building: Facilitating B2B matchmaking, living labs, and the implementation of pilot projects.

COOPERATION SCENE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE
CONNECTED AND AUTOMATED MOBILITY CLUSTER OF ZALA

Support the testing of connected electromobility solutions in Hungary and in the European Union.
Promoting the development of the city transport systems and also the "Smart City" systems.
Promoting the modern, "distruptive" technologies through the regulatory and methodological consultations with the appropriate decision-making bodies.

THE CLUSTER SUPPORTS OUR FLAGSHIP EVENT:
CEE AUTOMOTIVE TRANSITION FORUM

The CEE Automotive Transition Forum is Hungary's only truly international automotive professional conference, organized and operated by ZONE Cluster. The event is now being held for the third time and serves as a neutral forum in the region, providing a space for open, strategic-level dialogue among industry players, decision-makers, and policy partners.
The 2025 edition featured representatives from over ten countries, with two parallel program tracks, targeted B2B meetings, and a dedicated exhibitor zone. The opening keynote was delivered by the CEO of EIT Urban Mobility. The 2026 Forum will focus on topics such as the resilience of the CEE supply chain, artificial intelligence and software-defined vehicles, energy-industry competitiveness, scaling up workforce transformation, as well as the challenges on the demand side of passenger transport and issues related to the manufacturing and provisioning of the necessary vehicle fleet.
The Forum is not merely a professional event but the most concrete proof of ZONE Cluster's international positioning: it reconnects the region's industry with Europe's decision-makers year after year.

GOALS AND VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH OUR COOPERATION AREAS

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Independent and mission-driven operation: A nonprofit platform representing impartial value creation, operating solely based on professional objectives.

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Strong European presence: We are present in the thick of European innovation: in the main international networks – EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), EACN (European Automotive Cluster Network), ASA (Automotive Skills Alliance), CCAM (European Partnership on Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility) – we are not merely members but guiding players.

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Extensive international network: A network spanning over 20 countries, built on 8 years of joint project work and EU problem-solving.

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Data-driven and AI transformation: Direct support for the digital catch-up and data-driven operation of the domestic industry.

OUR STRATEGIC NETWORK AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

The strength of ZONE Cluster lies in its extensive and deep network of relations. As a co-founder and co-owner of the EIT Urban Mobility KIC, and as an executive board member of the European Automotive Cluster Network (EACN), we have direct access to EU institutions, European cluster leaders, and the region's most prominent OEMs and suppliers.

Key ecosystem partners:
▪ EIT Urban Mobility KIC (co-founder) ▪ European Automotive Cluster Network (EACN) ▪ BME · DE · ELTE-Soft · HTE-Net · KSH · MFOI · NEUM · PTE ▪ nextmove (FR) · TransformR / Cluster Mobility & Logistics (DE) ▪ Mobinov – Cluster Automóvel Portugal (PT) · Automotive NL (NL) ▪ SKODA AUTO, SEAT, Electrobus Europe, TomTom ▪ SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator, PowerHUB Accelerator ▪ and many more.