Cluster support policy becomes an important part of economic policy, combining elements of different types of policies: innovative, regional, industrial, scientific and technological, educational, SME, export promotion and attracting foreign investments.
Due to the fact that the cluster support policy has been just carried out in Poland and largely relates to stimulate cooperation between the economy and the world of science, it has a special significance in the aspect of innovation policy.
Practice shows that cluster development initiatives are mostly implemented at the regional level and are also an element of regional development policy.

The cluster concept has become popular for creating innovative regional policy defining level of competitiveness and innovativeness of the region, based on sectoral specialization and enterprises cooperation.
Widespread interest in clusters stems from accepting the idea that the cluster is a form of production organizing of high innovative potential and thus plays a key role in creating competitiveness and social and economic development.

The Metal Proccessing Cluster Development Strategy is a document prepared for the purpose of regional metal sector development, based on an analysis of the current situation within the industry and external conditions.
Particular emphasis is placed on assessment of the companies potential to develop and taking actions within the framework of a regional cluster.
The strategy points to the desired courses of action, developed on the basis of statistical data, information and workshop meetings, direct interviews in enterprises, business environment institutions, educational institutions and among experts.

The development includes an analysis of the current state of the metal industry and growth perspectives in the future.
The study focuses on the identification of the key factors determininig the development of the industry, such as business innovation, relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as cooperation with research institutions and business environment, the ability to cluster internationalization.
The strategy contains proposals for actions to stimulate growth of industry competitiveness and innovativeness and strengthen the integration of entities in order to obtain a significant competitive advantage.