EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)

The implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) started in 2011 after its official endorsement by the European Council. 14 countries participate in the EUSDR: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria), Hungary, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine (Western regions).

The strategy is implemented along four thematic pillars (connectivity, environment, prosperity, strength), which are divided into 12 priority areas. The aim of Priority Area 9 “Investing in People and Skills” is to promote the sustainable and inclusive development of the Danube Region through education, training, further education and investments in the human capital of the region.

Priority Area 9 is coordinated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) together with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour (BMA) and in cooperation with Ukraine (Ministry of Education) and the Republic of Moldova (Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Education). To support the BMBWF in its coordination tasks in the area of education a project coordination post was set up at OeAD.

Priority Area 9 implements initiatives to connect and promote cooperation among key actors from Danube Region countries. In addition to the organization of Steering Group meetings, Stakeholder Conferences and other events, support is also given to promote the further development and launch of transnational collaborations and projects. More details are available on the website of Priority Area 9. These coordination activities are financed by the Danube Transnational Programme of the European Union within the framework of the project DTP-PAC2-PA09.