The Consortium, based in Sofia, was established in 2006 as a network of private companies, think tanks / research institutions and individual experts from South and Central Eastern Europe. The network is based on and an extension of several successful regional activities, informational cooperation and project partnerships. FSN follows on the successful initiatives and partnerships of the South East Europe Trade Initiative (SEETI), the initial research of competitiveness and mapping of clusters in South East Europe (SEE) and the Balkan Network. These initiatives were grass root activities and partnerships between mainly representatives of National, Regional and Branch Chambers and Associations, Think Tanks and Research Institutes, Private Manufacturing and Service Companies, and individual experts, but also Governments and Donors.