We Played an Active Role at the Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

The annual event titled Smart, Social, Sustainable – innovation for the Danube Region, gathered 1213 experts from 30 countries. 4 thematic sessions and 35 parallel workshops were organized.  As a coordinator for priority area of Institutional capacity we were invited to share our experience at two workshops.

The first focused on similarities and differences between EU Strategy for the Danube region (EUSDR) and Danube Transnational Programme. As the themes and geographic territory are similar, these programs play an important role in fostering territorial cooperation in the Danube Region and in developing new transnational and cross-border projects. By including non-EU countries, they can also contribute to enhance cohesion and cooperation and foster economic development and European integration within the Danube Region. Panelists agreed that only sharing experience within transnational approach could bring more sustainable results in this region.

Second workshop on Building institutional and administrative capacities in the Danube Region on a transnational and cross-border basis discussed approaches for setting up public administration to make sure it is accessible for all. In this respect special attention was given to e-government environment. Our representative and priority area coordinator, Irena Lukač, stressed out that e-environment should support easier and more effective operations. E-tools need to become common instrument to foster efficiency of public institutions service. Due to different development stages countries are facing many challenges on e-environment. To overcome this problem continuous and strategic capacity development is needed.

On the margins of the 4th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) that took place from October 29 to October 30 in Ulm, Germany, Ministers in charge of EU Funds, European Affairs or European Integration from the participating States and Regions and the European Commissioner for Regional Policy agreed on the joint statement. They committed their selves to join efforts and continue ensuring progress in the implementation process of the EUSDR by identifying and promoting suitable projects that can add value for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Danube Region.

The EUSDR as a macro-regional strategy was jointly developed by the Commission in 2011, together with the Danube Region countries and stakeholders, in order to address common challenges. It addresses a wide range of issues; these are divided among 4 pillars and 11 priority areas.

We are a coordinator for Priority Area 10 along with the City of Vienna: we are tasked with stepping up Institutional capacity and cooperation. The focus is on challenges of institutional capacity and the public service, better coordination of funding, and collaboration among cities and citizens in the region. To date, it is one of the most active priority areas within the strategy.