Danube Transnational Programme 2.95

Danube Transnational Programme is one of the programmnes of the European Territorial Cooperation objective funded by the European Union.

It comprises 14 countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany – Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria-, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine – partly).

EU Cooperation programmes are primarily designed for further territorial integration through enhanced cooperation in specific policy fields.

Geographically, the Danube Transnational Programme area overlaps with the territory addressed by the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and comprising also the Danube river basin.The variety of natural environment, the socio-economic differences and cultural diversity of the various parts of the area may be perceived as major challenges but actually represent important opportunities and unexploited potential.

The Danube Transnational Programme focuses on four thematic priorities:

1. Innovative and socially responsible Danube Region (foster eco-innovation, knowledge transfer, cluster policy, social innovation and skilled entrepreneurship including technological and non-technological innovation aspects)
2. Environment and Culture responsible Danube Region (preserve and manage the diversity of natural and cultural assets, maintain major ecological corridors along river systems, environmental risk prevention and management)
3. Better connected Danube Region (improve regional connectivity to the TEN-T network, environmentally-friendly transport systems, regional energy planning and –coordination)
4. Well governed Danube Region (strengthen multilevel- and transnational governance in areas with major societal challenges, more effective governance of the EUSDR and complex transnational project development)

Target groups are regional and local authorities, development agencies, universities and research institutes, chambers of commerce, innovation centers and other relevant actors in the field of innovation, economic development, environment, transport, energy and institutional capacity as well as stakeholders and governance of the EUSDR.

The implementation of the programme is coordinated by joint structures (Managing Authority, hereinafter MA and Joint Secretariat, hereinafter JS) set up in Budapest, Hungary. The Joint Secretariat (JS) is in charge of the technical implementation of the Programme, including the communication activities. It supports the Managing Authority in programme coordination and implementation.