Within this “upon invitation” workshop organized by the Danube-INCO.NET project more than 20 experts from 8 countries of the Danube Region (AT, BG, DE, MD, HU, RS, SI, SK) have gathered to discuss potentials and topics for a joint co-operation within a strategic activity of COST.

Background

With the launch of the macro-regional strategy for the Danube region  (EUSDR) in 2011 the need for an enhanced cross-border co-operation and co-ordination in research and innovation has been clearly expressed. This is not only true with view to the strategic cooperation between regional, national and EU funding schemes and the better co-operation of funding bodies in the region but significantly concerns the research and innovation actors in the region. However, with the exception of Germany and Austria all countries in the EUSDR are “less-performing” when it comes to research and innovation indicators and the exhibited disparities are posing a threat to effective and mutual beneficial co-operations that have the potential to address the pressing societal challenges in the Danube Region. At the same time, interest in co-operation is visible in recent co-publication analysis. The potential for Danube-wide integration therefore needs to be further exploited.

Workshop

Within this “upon invitation” workshop organized by the Danube-INCO.NET project more than 20 experts from 8 countries of the Danube Region (AT, BG, DE, MD, HU, RS, SI, SK) have gathered to discuss potentials and topics for a joint co-operation within a strategic activity of COST.
After a general introduction and information on the COST scheme the expectations for the workshop have been made explicit:

• Finding a common understanding of the challenges for R&I cooperation in the region.
• Definition of the key societal challenges and related research issues in the broad topics defined.
• Description of the current state of research and the relation with stakeholders, industry and society.
• Identification of the relevant stakeholders, societal and economic actors necessary to be involved in your field.
• Concept of how COST instruments could help solving the problems and stimulate the cooperation in the region.
• Expressions of interest of individuals / organizations in further working on a joint proposal.

Three Working Groups have then focused on finding potential joint themes of interest in the fields of Energy, Food and Agriculture as well as Innovation Systems.

Source and additional information: https://danube-inco.net/object/news/17040