Rules of membership in the Polish Construction Cluster

(formerly EASTERN CONSTRUCTION CLUSTER)

 The founder and coordinator of the Polish Construction Cluster is the Polish Advisory and Consulting Association, based in Białystok (15-143) at
Pułkowa Street 11, entered into the register of associations and other social organizations
and professional associations, foundations and independent public health care facilities – the National Court Register kept by the District Court in Białystok, 12th Commercial Division, under the KRS number 0000221615, NIP: 542-290-15-67, REGON: 052252089.

The Polish Construction Cluster is a modern formula for cooperation and support for business and science, created as a grassroots initiative of entrepreneurs, the scientific and research community, business support organizations, and local authorities. This is particularly important given the region's continued marginalization and difficulties.
in terms of competing in regional markets.

The aim of the Cluster is to transfer innovative solutions and recommendations from cooperation with research centers to business in order to promote entrepreneurship and create new services and products.

Since September 2015, the Polish Construction Cluster has had the status of a Key National Cluster.

Polish Construction Cluster National Key Cluster is an organization open to new tasks, successfully participating in many projects in Poland and abroad.

§ 1 Mission and Vision of the Polish Construction Cluster  

1. The mission of the Polish Construction Cluster – Key National Cluster is to support enterprises in the construction industry and sectors linked by the value chain in strengthening cooperation networks and unifying processes for the development of internal and synergistic potential, through increased innovation, diffusion of good practices, digitalization and internationalization of activities.
2. The vision of the Polish Construction Cluster – the National Key Cluster is to become a leader in Poland, creating a new quality in energy-efficient construction, caring for the environment and having a real impact on national economic policy, being a reliable partner on the international arena.

§ 2 CeStrategic Projects of the Polish Construction Cluster

The main goal is to support business environment institutions, scientific units and construction industry entrepreneurs from the entire value chain of construction investments, including:

• energy-efficient construction,
• companies implementing environmentally friendly investments,
• companies investing in the development of technological potential and increasing competitiveness on domestic and international markets, 
• producers of building materials, technology suppliers, producers of machinery, equipment, IT, renewable energy, interior furnishings.

The objectives are achieved in particular through:

• building partner networks in the country and abroad,
• building awareness and the need for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction,
• providing knowledge, developing new technologies, creating conditions
  in the transfer of knowledge between entrepreneurs and scientific research units dealing with R&D (Research and Development),
• initiating and stimulating cooperation between business environment institutions, research units and enterprises,
• animating, preparing and implementing projects aimed at the development of the Cluster, Cluster members, and the socio-economic environment, including projects co-financed from the Cluster’s own funds and from external sources, in particular EU funds.

The above are consistent with the Cluster Strategy and Action Plan.

§ 3 Cluster membership

1. The cluster is open, which means that new members can join it.
2. Cluster members are all entities based in Poland whose activities align with the Cluster's objectives. Foreign entities may also be members of the Cluster, provided that their participation in the Cluster provides added value. Entities interested in joining the Cluster are required to:
   1. submitting a declaration of membership in the Cluster,
   2. accepting the Cluster Membership Regulations,
   3. accepting the Cluster's Code of Ethics.

3. An entity that obtains the approval of the Cluster Management Board may become a Cluster Member. Obtaining the approval of the Cluster Management Board may occur after consultation with Cluster Members.
4. Admission to the Cluster takes place on the date of signing by both parties of an annex to the cooperation agreement – ​​partnership agreement^[1] between the Cluster Member,
   and the Cluster Coordinator.
5. Signing the agreement referred to in paragraph 4 of these regulations gives the Cluster Member the opportunity to:
   1. using the currently available Cluster offer,
   2. expanding the database of business contacts,
   3. access to marketing campaigns implemented by the Cluster,
   4. participation in projects or other types of initiatives with the possibility of funding from public funds,

participation in the above takes place under conditions specified individually for each initiative.

6. An entity obtaining the status of a Cluster Member undertakes to closely cooperate
   with the Cluster Coordinator for a period of at least 3 years.
7. The Polish Construction Cluster does not have legal personality. The Polish Construction Cluster is coordinated by the Polish Advisory Association.
   and Consulting. Implementing the mission and goals of the Polish Construction Cluster is consistent with the association's statutory objectives. Cluster members have the status of supporting members of the association. Supporting members are obligated to regularly pay membership dues, on time and in the amounts specified in their declaration.
8. Membership in the Cluster ceases in particular due to:
   1. gross violation of the provisions of the agreement, the Cluster Membership Regulations or the Cluster Code of Ethics,
   2. termination of the contract by the Cluster Member,
   3. termination of the contract by the Cluster Coordinator,
   4. persistent failure to pay membership fees.
9. Termination of the contract takes place after a three-month notice period. Notice of termination must be in writing and must include justification. The parties may shorten or extend the notice period by mutual agreement.
10. A Cluster Member that has left the Cluster may re-join the Cluster on the same terms and conditions as new entities.

§ 4 Decision making

1. Decisions regarding the functioning of the Cluster are made by the Cluster Management Board.
2. In important matters concerning the functioning of the Cluster, the Cluster Management Board may seek the opinion of the Cluster Members.

§ 5 Miscellaneous

1. The provisions of these Regulations do not violate the provisions of the contract,
   referred to in § 2 section 4.
2. The body authorized to make changes to these Regulations is the Cluster Management Board.
3. Termination of membership in the Cluster does not, in principle, affect other projects/initiatives implemented within the framework of the cooperative relationship.
4. In matters not regulated herein, the provisions of the Act of 23 April 1964, the Civil Code (Journal of Laws of 1964, No. 16, item 93, as amended) shall apply.

[1]  the original founding act of the Eastern Construction Cluster