While the cluster concept is not new and remains subject to debate, national programmes based on a general cluster model continue to be prominent and are adapted to an increasingly wide variety of contexts. This study assesses different national level strategies and instruments used to promote regional specialisation and clusters. The theoretical concepts are not new and the debates continue about the empirical evidence supporting the benefits of regional specialisation and clusters. The goal of the report is not to revisit a theoretical debate regarding definitions. Rather, it seeks to understand why, in practice, there is renewed policy interest in promoting specialisation and clustering as both a general economic development tool and a means to achieve greater regional and national competitiveness. These national level initiatives have been complemented by numerous programmes at the local level.