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Mapping of R&I stakeholders in the Danube Region

The project Danube.INCO-NET aims, among others, to support R&I policy dialogue mainly in the EUSDR Priority Area Steering Groups and to exchange information on existing stakeholders in the field of RI in the Danube Region. Through the analysis of R&I related stakeholders, programmes and initiatives to identify possible synergies and transferable good practices, the study’s objective is to support the better exploitation of existing initiatives and programmes, an enhanced dialogue among stakeholders, as well as more targeted actions in the field of RI and education with an overarching aim of supporting the implementation of the related actions of EUSDR.

Therefore the report examined 40 stakeholders (including initiatives and programmes) among others: networks (e.g. Danube Rectors Conference, Central European Initiative University Network), associations (e.g. EURADA), organizations with an intergovernmental feature (e.g. Black Sea Economic Cooperation), international organizations (e.g. Visegrad Group), EU programmes and initiatives (e.g. Central European and Danube Transnational Cooperation Programmes) as well as other relevant international actors (e.g. UNESCO). During the analytical and empirical data gathering special attention was devoted to the outcomes of their recent activities, good practices to be transferred to other programmes or initiatives, and their future priorities in order to define synergies and formulate policy recommendations.

The research resulted in significant findings which can be summarized as follows:

1) Recent achievements, outcomes: There are well-functioning networks in the Region offering added value to their members in many areas such as networking opportunities, lobbying, information dissemination, etc. It turned out that several initiatives have already made important efforts to be more involved in the implementation of the EUSDR and they also plan to reinforce these efforts in the future. There are a number of initiatives which fund similar programmes mainly in the field of research and education, such as joint academic, mobility or other kind of programmes (e.g. summer schools). Interestingly, 78 % of the initiatives target innovation as one of their main areas. Parallel to this, there is a strong will to promote businesses, especially SMEs (through providing training, advice or creating an adequate environment for them) in most of the initiatives. However, linkages among the academia – industry – governmental sectors are, nevertheless rather scarce and weak; there are only a few actors (e.g. Steinbeis Danube Center) devoted to the enhancement of this kind of cooperation.

2) Some examples for good practices possible to be transferred to other initiatives: Networking is of utmost importance from the policy level through the research community to the civil sphere. There is an important number of initiatives providing platform and/or funding for networking events. Elaboration of joint proposals, significant lobbying, and implementation of joint projects and sharing of infrastructures could be also mentioned as exemplary activities.

3) Future priorities: Most of the initiatives share common targets such as strengthening research, education and innovation. It is also crucial that many, e.g. Central European Initiative, South East European Investment Committee, and Eurochambers have already harmonized their action plans or strategies with the Europe 2020 Strategy. In numerous cases, this stands for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region as well. Among common future priorities, (a) generating joint projects – including H2020, educational cooperation, etc. -; (b) capacity building; (c) promoting SMEs, business development and entrepreneurship; (d) focus on intercultural society, cultural heritage, culture; (e) facilitating tourism, trade and investment shall be highlighted.

The outcomes of the analysis gave evidence that following the identification of synergies and best practices there is a significant need in defining recommendations for their enhanced exploitation and possible harmonization. Therefore detailed proposals were made relating to the following issues:

1) Reinforced policy dialogue among regional stakeholders to exploit synergies and achieve mutual goals. Through this dialogue it is recommended harmonize the different programmes or fund complementary programmes on the one hand; on the other hand it is also crucial to exploit different funding opportunities to increase the volume and impact of programmes and projects.

2) Enhanced involvement of stakeholders under investigation in the implementation of EUSDR. With this regard it is advised to tighten linkages among the regional stakeholders and the EU. However it is also deemed significant that stakeholders at EU and international levels shall reflect the priorities of EUSDR in their action plans and programmes. As regards the implementation of the Danube Strategy at national level, it is suggested to set up a coordination mechanism among the members of the different Priority Areas.

3) Extending joint programmes to connect and exploit their potentials of the Region. Though it seems that stakeholders are satisfied with the visibility of their initiatives, to achieve a critical mass it is suggested to enhance joint programmes, as well as extend existing programmes to other forms of cooperation (i.e. joint use of research infrastructure, knowledge and know-how transfer, joint proposals to Horizon 2020, etc.)

4) Practical support to the RI community. Researchers and innovators in the Region would need more structure information on the various programmes available on the one hand; on the other hand their administrative burdens shall be decreased. Opportunities for networking shall be further promoted.

5) Strengthened dialogue among the academia – industry – government. Stakeholders are invited to develop joint research – innovation – education programmes to ensure the dialogue and the exchange of know-how among the various sectors. Further linkages among these sectors shall be tightened further, whereas the involvement of the civil sphere in certain actions could be further strengthened in line with the approach of quadruple helix.

Presentation on the mapping is available here.

The report will be available soon.