Boosting Knowledge and Competitiveness in the Danube Region: Capitalisation Workshop in Bratislava

On March 26–27, 2025, Bratislava hosted a major capitalisation workshop titled Boosting Knowledge and Competitiveness in the Danube Region. The event brought together representatives from 22 European projects across diverse fields such as the circular economy, technology transfer, sustainable cities and regions, smart specialisation, and Industry 4.0.

We took part in the event as part of the RISE project, contributing to the exchange of experiences, showcasing innovative approaches, and engaging in discussions to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in the Danube Region.

The workshop was organised in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), coordinated by Priority Area 7 (Knowledge Society) and Priority Area 8 (Competitiveness of Enterprises).

The key objectives of the workshop were to foster mutual learning, increase the visibility and impact of project results, and strengthen the links between research, business, and policymaking. Particular emphasis was placed on transferring outcomes into business practice, supporting startups, and enhancing public sector engagement.

Discussions were structured into four thematic sessions:

• Sustainable Cities and Regions: Local pilots, community-driven sustainability initiatives, and capacity building.

• Smart Specialisation, Industry 4.0 and Technology Transfer: Policy alignment, digital innovation hubs, and interdisciplinary cooperation.

• Circular Economy: Integrating sustainability throughout project life cycles and resource efficiency strategies.

The event concluded with shared reflections on the need for continued cooperation, deeper policy integration, and stronger stakeholder networks. Both PA7 and PA8 reaffirmed their commitment to fostering long-term collaboration and invited broader engagement from across the region to further support the innovation ecosystem of the Danube Region.