WHAT WILL ELEVATE MODEL BRING

The ELEVATE Model for Inclusive Territorial Development will be a groundbreaking framework designed to strengthen cooperation between public institutions, civil society and the business sector. More than a theoretical concept, it will be a practical and transferable tool that promotes multi-level governance and ensures the active participation of disadvantaged groups, particularly older individuals in rural areas and persons with disabilities. By fostering collaboration across sectors and borders, the ELEVATE Model will seek to build resilient, inclusive communities throughout the whole Danube Region.

At its core, the ELEVATE Model will equip local and regional authorities with tangible tools to create localized governance systems that respond to real community needs. This place-based approach will ensure that governance is not only participatory but also adaptable to diverse local contexts.

One of the most innovative aspects of the ELEVATE Model is rethinking of social inclusion and financing. The framework will engage local businesses as active partners in creating inclusive communities, using European sustainability standards to ease pressure on public budgets while improving results. It will redefine social inclusion as a way to strengthen resilience and local identity. To secure long-term impact, it will promote responsible private investments and innovative business models, ensuring sustainable solutions for active ageing and social care.

Its strength will lie in its participatory design process, guided by the principle of “nothing about us without us”. The framework will be built through a bottom-up, multi-stakeholder process that directly involves older people and persons with disabilities, with over 500 participants shaping its outcomes. It will be tested in 12 pilot areas across 11 Danube countries to ensure adaptability, while universal design principles will guarantee that services and environments are accessible to all. This way, the final model will be practical and scalable.

The ELEVATE Model will represent a big step toward inclusive territorial development in the Danube Region. By combining practical governance tools, innovative financing mechanisms, participatory desig, and long-term sustainability planning, it WILL PROVIDE a blueprint for building resilient, inclusive and future-ready communities.