MEETING/EVENT TITLE: 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy ... · MEETING/EVENT TITLE: 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for Danube Region, Vienna 26 – 27.06.2014 Type of event:

MEETING/EVENT TITLE: 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for Danube Region, Vienna 26 – 27.06.2014 Type of event: tRANING Training-Seminar

Work package 2: Information, awareness raising and capitalization Activity 2.3: Awareness-raising and capitalization

DATE: 26.-‐ 27 .06.2014

VENUE: Vienna, Austria

1.1.1.1.1 ORGANISER: European Commission, Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign

Affairs, City Vienna

KEY TOPICS PRESENTED/DISCUSSED:

3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for Danube Region, Vienna 26 – 27.06.2014

KEY SPEAKERS/ PRESENTERS:

-‐ JOHANNES HAHN, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN CHARGE OF REGIONAL AND URBAN POLICY

-‐ SEBASTIAN KURZ, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EUROPE, INTEGRATION AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AUSTRIA

-‐ TITUS CORLAˇŢEAN, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ROMANIA, ANNUAL FORUM HOST 2013 -‐ MICHAEL HÄUPL, MAYOR AND GOVERNOR OF VIENNA

TARGET PARTICIPANTS: National, Regional, Local Institutes, NGOs, Faculties, Agencies, Companies,….

Event/Meeting’s Minutes CONFERENCE EXHIBTION The Danube Exhibition presented initiatives and projects, networks and institutions from the Danube area: ARGE Donau Österreich Introduction of the ARGE Donau Österreich, a network for the promotion of the Danube as a fundamental Austrian tourism offer, and its form of cooperation. Presentation of products, promotional material and international activities, such as the membership with the DCC (Danube Competence Center) and the ARGE Straße der Kaiser und Könige. CEEPUS – Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies CEEPUS works on the basis of university networks, with currently more than 1000 institutions involved,

operating joint programs ideally leading to joint degrees, esp. joint doctoral programs. CEEPUS covers mobility grants for students and teachers in this framework. All academic fields

are represented and considerable success has been achieved in many cases.Most importantly, CEEPUS promotes enthusiasm in regjonal cooperation. danube connects – magazine for the danube countries danube connects is the first international print magazine for all danube countries. It shows the development and cooperation in the danube countries, oriented to the need for independent information about the EUSDR and Southeastern Europe. danube connects is issued by the Ulm section of European Journalists Association (EJ). The magazine also offers a daily updated Facebook-‐Page, news on Twitter and an online information platform. Danube-‐INCO.NET – Advancing Research and Innovation in the Danube Region Danube-‐INCO.NET supports the implementation of the EUSDR in the field of research and innovation. The FP7 funded project presents its web-‐platform and databases and informs about upcoming events, such as workshops to support the implementation of the European Research Area and the Innovation Union, networking conferences or pilot activities addressing energy / bio-‐economy challenges. The project will conduct analysis on R&I cooperation and policies as well as provide support to the implementation of Danube Transfer Centers, S3 and eventual joint funding. DANUBE LIMES BRAND – Expansion of the UNESCO World Heritage into the Lower Danube The Roman Limes is the largest single cultural heritage monument in Europe approved as a multinational “Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site”. The Danube Limes forms an impressive archaeological landscape with hundreds of individual monuments, telling the vibrant story of the Roman frontiers centuries-‐long evolution and culture. The joint mission is to protect the monuments for future generations, to increase education opportunities for the local population and support tourism through transnational cooperation in a sustainable use of cultural heritage. Danube Sturgeons: Ambassadors of healthy rivers In the frame of Priority Area 6 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, conservation efforts for five Danube sturgeon species are coordinated through the Danube Sturgeon Task Force. The exhibition shall utilise the magnificence of these animals to draw attention to the most pressing problems threatening their survival in the Danube: loss of habitats, continuity interruptions, poaching. Discover the Danube The stand will present the Danube Competence Center (DCC) and its partners’ tourism portfolio. DCC works to build and support networks of tourism stakeholders from the whole Danube region by investing in people and skills, enhancing transnational cooperation and promoting mutual interests. Visitors will learn more about the Destination Danube, its features and touristic attractions under the themes of cultural, active and nature tourism. We will also introduce our cultural Routes, the “Roman Emperors” and the “Danube Wine Route” increasing the destinations’ visibility and relevance on the local level.

eGovernance for the EU Danube Region

The stand will present planned projects and activities of a new capacity building initiative for the development of eGovernance and transforming of the EU Digital Agenda into the area of the EU Danube Strategy. EUROGI. Geographical Information – a Key to Integrating, Managing, Analysing and Presenting Data in the Catchment Area The stand will highlight the fact that location information (GI) can provide the basis for linking virtually all datasets in the catchment area. This capacity to link data from diverse thematic areas, the analytical capacities of GIS, the non-‐expert user-‐friendly interfaces provided by geo-‐browsers, the capacity to test alternative development/conservation options on the road to implementing policies in the catchment area, and the ability to undertake monitoring and review together make GI and associated geo-‐technologies an indispensible ‘must have’ tool in planning and development of the catchment area. European Economic and Social Committee At the exhibition, we present the relevant opinions issued by the European Economic and Social Committee on the macro regional strategies and the role of the EESC as a representative of the civil society on European level. Financial and technical assistance opportunities for project development in the Danube Region The team of Priority Area 10 will present you three types of support for your project: (1) TAF-‐DRP -‐ Technical Assistance Facility: experts help project promoters prepare a project application, a pre-‐feasibility study, or to find the right funding option. (2) START -‐ Danube Region Project Fund: Project partners receive small scale „seed money“ to help in the preparation or initial implementation phase. (3) Danube Financing Dialogue: match-‐making opportunities between SMEs and financiers (banks, funding programmes, etc). At the stand you can also find out about support mechanisms from the Budapest Danube Contact Point and the Joint Research Centre. Full steam ahead for a competitive Danube! The stand covers a wide range of Danube related aspects, from education and training of nautical personnel and implementation of harmonized certification standards, to management of Danube infrastructure, RIS services, waste management and integration of inland navigation into the international logistic transport chain. It is a joint enterprise of three exhibiting organizations: Romanian Maritime Training Centre CERONAV, River Administration of the Lower Danube and Maritime Danube Ports Administration. GREEN PARTNERSHIPS for sustainable energy efficiency in Mediterranean regions The project GREEN PARTNERSHIPS is addressing the contribution of local communities to the achievement of the EU decarbonisation objectives. In municipalities, the local public authorities are responsible for setting up their frameworks for efficient energy management by taking into account local potentials for sustainable development. The project’s aim is to support local administrations to overcome obstacles and effectively implement measures. Sustainable solutions will be implemented by creating local partnerships between

owners, suppliers and final users of these initiatives.

i.e. SMART – The SMART Innovation Network for New Generation Enterprises The presentation will show and tell how the CENTRAL EUROPE ERDF co-‐financed project “i.e. SMART” (www.ie-‐smart.eu) initiated and implemented a transnational network of competence centres (SMART points) to train hundreds of young entrepreneurs in the economic areas of ICT, the Creative Industries, and Green Economy. It will include the presentation of a 3-‐D state of the art interactive digital platform (SMART site) to promote entrepreneurial thinking and training. Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) Founded in 1953, the IDM is an extramural research institution based on an association with its head office in Vienna. As a gateway and a facilitator institution, the IDM makes an important contribution to cooperation in the fields of research, culture, politics, economics and administration. The IDM sees itself as a clearinghouse for concerns of the Danube Region, Central and Southeast Europe, supporting the work of embassies, trade missions, cultural institutes and national tourist offices of the respective countries in Austria, as well as the work of Austrian missions to these countries. Lifeguides and Learning Journeys. Innovative approaches for a sustainable future to enhance the Danube Strategy The ThinkCamp learning journeys are an innovative form of non-‐formal learning for sustainable development. The exhibition will give insights in the development, implementation and results of the prototypes of the dunaVision “Caravan of Change 2013”, a 7-‐months learning journey through 14 countries, the dunaVision Balkan Summit of sustainable development and the Vision Walk in Macedonia. Furthermore the concepts of “Lifeguides” and “storytelling”, the human centered core of the learning journeys; the Learner-‐x, a knowledge based alternative currency, and the story matcher – a surprise – will be introduced. The Making of World Art along the Danube: European Identity through Migration and Culture Evolution Living conditions along the Danube have allowed for intellectual activity and an existential dialog with nature through symbolic processes and artistic depictions of ideas and concepts throughout the millennia. The Venus figurines, human-‐animal hybrid Lion Man and mammoth figurines as well as the invention of musical instruments found along this mighty river all attest to this development. Interrupted by the next period of climatic cooling, modern man started to migrate eastward along the Danube and then back, leaving behind traces of Gravettian, Magdalenian and Neolithic cultures. Multi-‐Country Regional Cooperation on Entrepreneurial Learning as the best practice example and Danube Flagship Project The South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL) is a regional institution established on the initiative of eight pre-‐accession countries with the aim of developing the entrepreneurial capacity and competitiveness of human capital. SEECEL’s mission is to work on systematic development of life-‐long entrepreneurial learning as a key competence, in line with policies and practice of the European Union, implemented through structured regional cooperation. SEECEL´s vision is to foster entrepreneurial-‐friendly

environments and strengthen the mind-‐sets for building entrepreneurially literate societies that lead

to sustainable economic growth. As PA8 flagship project SEECEL welcomes other Danube region countries to join its activities as well. PA5 in practice: Common trans-‐boundary implementation of the Flood Directive in the Upper-‐Tisza Region In the past ten years Hungary and the Ukraine have developed a joint Upper-‐Tisza flood monitoring and alert system. The two parties have agreed in 2013 to further develop the system; they declared that under the umbrella of the EU Floods Directive a joint Hungarian-‐Ukrainian Flood Protection Development Program must be established containing 22 project components. At the exhibition past achievements and the planned Development Program for the Danube-‐basin countries will be presented as a good practice of a common trans-‐boundary flood protection action. Powering Europe The stand will present and introduce the latest achievements and publications of the Energy Priority Area of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Rowmania, a Danube connection proposal Understanding the Danube’s natural and cultural heritage implies a strong, personal connection between humans, local tradition and innovation. The “Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23” Association will contribute to the exhibition with images and information material presenting the Danube Delta Nature Reserve and its culture. Rowmania is the brand of the “Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23” Association, which develops tourism products, campaigns for rowing and ecotourism, social entrepreneurship and sustainable development programs in the Danube Delta and other protected natural areas. Silver Lake – The Pearl of the Danube The Silver Lake is located in North-‐Eastern Serbia, near Veliko Gradište at the very entrance to the Iron Gate, surrounded by attractive archaeological sites such as Viminacium, Golubačka and Ram fortresses, and Lepenski Vir. Silver Lake offers unforgettable moments to tourists, campers, fishermen, and water sports lovers. Improved drinking water supply of Veliko Gradište municipality and additional protection of Silver Lake water quality will increase the quality of the overall tourist offer at one of the most visited tourist destinations in Serbia, as well as the local people's quality of life. SONDAR – appreciation, sustainability, responsibility. Sustainable Operations Network in the Danube Region SONDAR is to strengthen the performance of social enterprises under the aspect of sustainability, because their work in general is a type of regional economic activity with a social component. It is the aim to expand cooperation of enterprises, public clients and social enterprises, and to develop sustainable products and services of high quality, and to further their marketability. The project is effective in all dimensions of social, economic and ecological sustainability.

The South-‐East Europe Programme

Presentation of the main results achieved by projects of the South East Europe (SEE) Programme strongly linked to the Danube Strategy aims and priority areas. Around 20 SEE projects, among the 122 approved in the four calls for proposals launched by the SEE Programme, will present their activities and achievements through different dissemination materials. ZSI – Centre for Social Innovation: Projects in the Danube Region The Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) is a scientific institute and a not-‐for profit association based in Vienna. ZSI implements projects in the field of research, policy advice and network co-‐ordination in various regions worldwide. Visit ZSI‘s exhibition stand in the Danube Cosmos and gain an insight into ZSI‘s projects and expertise in the Danube Region! Invitation-‐Agenda PROGRAMME DETAILS DAY 1 THURSDAY, 26 JUNE 2014 12:00 Start of registration 12:30 Networking lunch 14:00 Conference opening WE GROW TOGETHER – TOGETHER WE GROW Welcome & introduction by conference moderator Greg Clark, city and regional development advisor, London Opening speeches Johannes Hahn, Member of the European Commission in charge of Regional and Urban Policy Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Austria Titus Corlaˇţean, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Romania, Annual Forum host 2013 Michael Häupl, Mayor and Governor of Vienna 14:40 Plenary session 1 danube potentials MIND THE GAP Keynote & comments Michael Landesmann, Director of Research, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW) Bernhard Boockmann, Scientific Director, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IAW), Tübingen Georg Licht, Head of the Research Department of Industrial Economics and International Management, Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim Panel reflection and debate László Baranyay, Vice-‐President, European Investment Bank Vladimír Sucha, Director-‐General, European Commission, Joint Research Centre Goran Svilanović, Secretary General, Regional Cooperation Council RCC, Sarajevo

Charlina Vitcheva, Director, European Commission, Directorate-‐General for Regional and Urban Policy

16:00 Coffee break 16:30 Plenary session 2 danube challenges INVEST IN PEOPLE Opening statement Gabriele Heinisch-‐Hosek, Federal Minister of Education and Women’s Affairs, Austria Keynote Mike Campbell, Principal Associate Fellow, Institute for Employment Studies, UK Panel reflection and debate Zoltán Kazatsay, Deputy Director-‐General, European Commission, Directorate-‐General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Remus Pricopie, Minister of National Education, Romania Madlen Serban, Director, European Training Foundation Christian Weinberger, Senior Advisor, European Commission, Directorate-‐General for Enterprise and Industry 18:00 End of conference day 1 DAY 2 FRIDAY, 27 JUNE 2014 09:00 Plenary session 3 danube cosmos INSPIRED BY DIVERSITY Impulse

-‐ Mercedes Echerer, actress, writer, former MEP Introducing the activities of the Danube Cosmos -‐ Johannes Lutter, europaforum wien – Centre for Urban Dialogue and European Policy 09:30 danube cosmos READY FOR ACTION (slot 1) Parallel sessions on the thematic pillars of the EU Danube Strategy Connecting the Region

-‐ Towards a Low Carbon Economy in the Danube Region Workshop (Room 11)

-‐ Destination Danube – Tourism Development Model Workshop (Room 05) Protecting the Environment

-‐ Active for a Safer Danube: Accident Prevention, Flood and Drought Management under Changing Climatic Conditions Workshop (Room 08) § 20 Years of ICPDR: Active for a Living Danube Speakers’ Corner (Room 06)

-‐ Environmental Technology Network Danube Region: Promoting Environmental Technologies, Bringing Partners together, Creating Centers of Praxis in the Danube Region Matchmaking (starting at 10.00!) (Room 04) Building Prosperity

-‐ Sustainability of the Danube Region as a Multidisciplinary

Issue in Research and Education Workshop (Room 12)

-‐ SIRA DANUBE – Establishing Competences for Smart and Innovative Rural Areas in the Danube Region Speakers’ Corner (Room 03)

-‐ Investing in Inclusive and Innovative Education and Training for Better Socioeconomic Outcomes Workshop (Room 02)

-‐ Vocational Training and EU Funding Opportunities Coaching Zone (Room 09) -‐ i.e. SMART – The SMART Innovation Network for New Generation Enterprises: How to implement a transnational training network to promote entrepreneurial education, skills, and competences Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

-‐ CEEPUS – Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) §-‐ Enhancing Interregional Competences – Experiences and Good Practices from Lower Austria Matchmaking (Room 10) Strengthening the Region

-‐ The Urban Agenda in the Danube Region – Growing Together on the Urban Platform Workshop (Room 07)

-‐ Creation of an eGovernance Platform for Digital Economy Development Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

-‐ Danube Excellence – Security and Safety of Critical Infrastructure, the Transformation of Regional Best Practices into a Joint Transborder University Workshop (Room 04) § European Territorial Co-‐operation Projects – From Project Idea to Application Workshop (Room 01)

-‐ Geographical Information: A Key to Integrating, Managing, Analysing and Presenting Data in the Catchment Area Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) 11:00 danube cosmos READY FOR ACTION (slot 2) Parallel sessions on the thematic pillars of the EU Danube Strategy Connecting the Region

-‐ Industry Meets Policy – Inland Waterway Navigation Event (Part I: Feedback Session) Workshop (Room 08)

-‐ Project GREEN PARTNERSHIPS for Sustainable Energy Efficiency in Mediterranean Regions Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

-‐ DanubeHIKE – Cross-‐country Hiking Tourism Along the Danube Matchmaking (Room 11) Protecting the Environment

-‐ Synergy of the Danube Strategy with the Policy of the European Union Workshop (Room 05)

-‐ Eco-‐economy and the Danube Region: Tradition, Nature, Innovation Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) § Flood Action Plan: A Comprehensive Action Plan for Flood Forecasting, Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation for the Danube Region Building Prosperity § Challenges and Approaches in Multi-‐source Funding of Cross-‐border R&I Projects with a Specific Focus on the Danube Region Workshop (Room 12) § Scientific Research – Innovation – Clusters: The New Highway for Reindustriali sation of the EU Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) § Technology Transfer and Regional Competitiveness – Pilot Initiatives in the Danube Region Speakers‘ Corner (Room 06) § Smart Business Association and Platform – the Danube Chambers of Commerce Association and the Smart SME Platform Danube Region Speakers‘ Corner (Room 10)

-‐ Investing in Inclusive and Innovative Education and Training for Better Socioeconomic Outcomes (Part 2) Workshop (Room 02) § Empowerment for an Inclusive Labour Market Workshop (Room 03)

-‐ Stepping up Institutional Capacity for Roma Inclusion in the Danube Region Workshop (Room 04) Stengthening the Region

-‐ The Danube Civil Society Organisations: Stakeholders of the Danube Strategy Workshop (Room 07)

-‐ Social Partnership for the Future: Fostering the Co-‐operation of Relevant Stakeholders in the Labour Market Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) -‐ Transnational Co-‐operation in the Danube Region and Beyond: Funding Opportunities of the New CENTRAL EUROPE and DANUBE Programmes Coaching Zone (Room 01)

12:00 danube cosmos READY FOR ACTION (slot 3) Parallel sessions on the thematic pillars of the EU Danube

Strategy Connecting the Region

-‐ Industry Meets Policy – Inland Waterway Navigation Event (Part 2: Information Session) Workshop (Room 09)

-‐ Culture and Tourism – the Danube Encounter Workshop (Room 05)

-‐ ARGE Donau Österreich – Presentation of Tourism-‐related Activities Along the Danube Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall) Protecting the Environment § Crossing Borders, Crossing Sectors: Sustainable Navigation on a Healthy River Workshop (Room 02)

-‐ Interoperability among Emergency Response Authorities with the Purpose of Risk Consequence Mitigation – the SEERISK and MASPREM Projects Speakers' Corner (Room 03) Building Prosperity

-‐ DREAM, Danubius, Urban Europe – An Insight from Practice in Planning, Managing and Financing Multi-‐source Cross-‐border R&I Activities Speakers‘ Corner (Room 12) § Research Talent Along the Danube – How the River Can Inspire Scientific Careers Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

-‐ Developing a Bio-‐based Economy – Contributions and Needs of the Danube Region Speakers‘ Corner (Room 06)

-‐ How Trade Fairs of the Central European Fair Alliance Network Can Boost the EUSDR and: DanuClus – Progress and Future of the Danube Cluster Networks Speakers‘ Corner (Room 10)

-‐ Labour Mobility in Central and South-‐East Europe – Challenges and Opportunities Workshop (Room 11)

-‐ Empowering Young People – Connecting Europe: Development and Implementation of Innovative Student-‐led Regional School Projects on “Shaping Life” in the Danube Region Speakers‘ Corner (Room 04)

-‐ Lifeguides & Learning Journeys Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

-‐ Common Sustainable Economic Activities – Under the Umbrella of “Working Community of the Danube Regions” Presentation and Exhibition (Plenary Hall)

Strengthening the Region

-‐ Building Institutional Capacities in the Danube Region in Practice – Presentation of Integrated Project Approaches & Exchange of Experiences Workshop (Room 07)

-‐ Shaping the Carpathian Region in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Workshop (Room 08) § How to Create and Prepare Feasible Projects? Financing Options and Technical Assistance under Relevant Operational Programmes and Bank Sources Coaching Zone (Room 01) 14:30 Plenary session 4 danube prospects FACILITATE NEW GOVERNANCE Governance concepts for the implementation of macro-‐regional strategies §-‐ Johannes Hahn, Member of the European Commission in charge of Regional and Urban Policy Outcome of the Vienna Ministerial Meeting of 26 June 2014 The Vienna Declaration for Governance of the Danube Region

-‐ Peter Friedrich, Minister for European and International Affairs, Baden-‐Württemberg, Germany Panel debate on the Danube Region and the way forward

-‐ Erhard Busek, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe IDM, Vienna

-‐ Tanja Miščević, Government of the Republic of Serbia, Head of Negotiating Team for Accession of Serbia to the EU

-‐ Ermina Salkicˇević-‐Dizdarević, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Bosnia-‐Herzegovina; ICPDR Chair 2013

-‐ Michael Theurer, Member of the European Parliament Closing session CLOSING REMARKS AND OUTLOOK ON ANNUAL FORUM 2015 From the Black Forest to the Black Sea: a region of entrepreneurs, craftsmen, innovators and engaged citizens – an outlook to the EUSDR Annual Forum 2015

-‐ Peter Friedrich, Minister for European and International Affairs, Baden-‐Württemberg, Germany Conference closing by hosts

-‐ Johannes Hahn, Member of the European Commission in charge of Regional and Urban Policy

-‐ Rudolf Hundstorfer, Federal Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, Austria

-‐ Michael Ludwig, Executive City Councillor for Housing, Housing Construction and Urban Renewal of Vienna 16:30 End of Annual Forum

PHOTOS

Photo 1: Presentation of pilot cases on the Green Partnership project area by project manager, Veronika Valentar

Photo 2: Presentation the Green Partnership project by project financial manager, Stanka Klemenčič -‐ Kosi

Photo 3: Poster of pilot cases of the Green Partnership project

Participants Signatures /

MEDIA EXPOSURE / PRESENTATIONS /

Documents

MEETING/EVENT TITLE: 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy ... · MEETING/EVENT TITLE: 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for Danube Region, Vienna 26 – 27.06.2014 Type of event: