DANOVA NEXT Transnational Project Meeting held in Bucharest

On December 5, 2024, the partners of the DANOVA NEXT project convened in Bucharest, Romania, for a 3rd Transnational Project Meeting. Hosted by ANSR, the gathering provided an opportunity for partners to discuss the progress of the project, share updates, and align on future actions to enhance accessibility in transport across the Danube Region (DR).

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome and an overview of the project’s implementation status. Dubrovnik Airport presented insights into activities undertaken so far and highlighted upcoming deliverables.

The first working session, led by BATTI, introduced the DANOVA NEXT toolkit, a framework designed to foster innovation and leverage advanced technologies for better accessibility. This was followed by a presentation from the Czech Smart City Cluster on the Strategy for accessible transport in the Danube Region, including results from the Transnational Working Groups (TWG). The Municipality of Maribor outlined the status of this Strategy’s implementation and provided updates on the finalization of the output. Additionally, University of Maribor discussed the DANOVA Replicating Package—a key component aimed at expanding the project's impact across the DR.

The discussion shifted to the development of a Smart Transport Network tailored for persons with reduced mobility (PRM). BATTI shared progress on standardizing digital travel information tools (DTSI) and organizing a TWG for defining DTSI features of the DANOVA NEXT application. BSVO followed with a presentation on interface requirements collection and emphasized the importance of accessible project documentation.

Dubrovnik Airport presented steps toward creating a joint framework for PRM digital accessibility data and establishing a robust network involving diverse stakeholders. The session also addressed the design and technical implementation of the DANOVA NEXT application, with SOIH contributing strategies for a social media campaign to enhance its visibility.

The afternoon sessions focused on pilot concepts for testing innovative services aimed at increasing transport accessibility in the DR. Partners discussed approaches, stakeholder involvement, and next steps for these pilots.

The meeting concluded with a session on financial reporting, monitoring, and evaluation led by lead partner. This was followed by a SOIH’s review of communication activities and planning for the next steps. The Steering Committee approved key decisions, ensuring smooth progress toward upcoming milestones. The day ended with a social dinner hosted by ANSR, offering partners a chance to connect informally.

The next project meeting is scheduled to take place in Kotor, Montenegro. Partners left the Bucharest meeting with renewed commitment to advancing the DANOVA NEXT goals and improving transport accessibility throughout the Danube Region.