Third call for proposals pre-announcement

Specific Objective

Thematic focus

SO1.2

AI skills development for delivering products and services with transnational impact in the Danube Region

SO2.1

Sustainable renewable energy solutions in the context of energy production, heating and cooling systems, grid load, energy communities, district heating and cooling, storage and peak load reduction with a focus on small and medium municipalities

SO2.2

The proposed applications can address each three thematic focus of SO 2.2, but should target broader territorial scope beyond the urban, municipal level, where transnational level harmonisation and coordination of forecasting, monitoring, preparedness, or reaction is necessary (targeting the Danube River Basin, or its main sub-basins, or the Danube Region, a thematically reasonable, broad and coherent transnational space within, covering the targeted area in its entirety – e.g. a transnational river network, a broad transnational area of DR affected by the same environmental risk with potential transboundary impact) in connection to climate change adaptation and / or climate change induced environmental risks (floods, droughts, wild fires),or accidental pollution of rivers.

SO2.3

Proposals can address thematic focus 2 (harmonising management practices between relevant sectors to improve the quality and quantity of transnational water bodies) and focus 3 (transnational coordination of water supply management in transnational river(basin)s). More specifically, the proposed applications should target potential impacts of climate change on transnational water management by harmonising and coordinating policy approaches, management practises between water management, agriculture, environment, navigation and hydropower to improve the quantity (and quality) of water in transnational river systems of DRB with key topics in relation to water scarcity, balanced use of water and coordinated management of low-water periods on transnational rivers of DRB (considering also that flood management is related to SO 2.2).

SO3.1

Thematic focus: Capacity building for employment support bodies (information and data systems; coordination; training e.g. in social economy).

SO3.2

Focus area 1: Is aimed towards enhancing strategic support for Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in the Danube Region.

Focus area 2: In addition to the strategic linked approach above a second direction of SO 3.2 could also include additional approaches at the level of CoVEs

The development of existing CoVEs or new CoVEs - developing their excellence potential (see broad understanding of excellence)

CoVE focussed initiatives to modernise and transform the quality of VET systems to strategically support social, economic and pedagogical changes and challenges, e.g. new skill needs in the context of the green and digital transition

The formation of multilevel Public Private Partnerships for VET and skills development

Actions aimed towards embedding CoVEs in local innovation ecosystems and connecting them at the Danube level

Facilitating the bringing together of CoVEs that share a common interest in specific sectors and innovative approaches to tackling societal challenges (e.g. social inclusion, green skills, digitalisation, AI, upskilling individuals with low qualification levels, etc.)

SO4.2

4 thematic focuses have been identified for specific objective 4.2. Applicants are not requested to address all the 4 thematic focuses, but they shall concentrate and demonstrate in their application strong contribution to at least on one thematic focus.

Thematic focus 1:  Tackling the accelerated territorial peripheralization/polarization within the Danube Region and promoting balanced territorial and social-economic development, considering main demographic developments and recent technological advances

Thematic focus 2: Making local (and regional) public governance systems more resilient to crisis-situations (“crisis proof”)

Thematic focus 3: Innovating and optimizing models of effectively involving citizens in transnational, multi-level territorial planning processes and promoting sustainable democracy

Thematic focus 4: Strengthening transnational capacities of public local and regional governance systems for ensuring the functioning of Global / European / Danubian Value Chains