Transfer Danube Hungarian National Stakeholder Meeting & Conference

Experts, decision-makers, and practitioners gathered in Tatabánya on the 10^th of March 2026 for the TRANSFER Danube National Stakeholder Meeting & Conference, organised by the Rába-Duna-Vág European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation with Limited Liability. The event created a vibrant platform for dialogue on one of the most pressing challenges facing the region today - climate change and its growing impact on agriculture.

The conference brought together 45 participants representing a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including national institutions, regional and local authorities, research organisations, and agricultural professionals. Among the key participants were representatives of the Hungarian National Chamber of Agriculture, the Komárom-Esztergom County Government Office, and municipalities such as Sopronkövesd, Lábatlan, Komárom, Esztergom, Tata, and Dorog. The event also welcomed experts from organisations including Vérteserdő Zrt., Fitohorm Kft., the HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research, and the North Transdanubian Water Directorate, alongside family farmers and sectoral practitioners.

Following the opening remarks by Ms. Ema Vasiová, Directress of RDV EGTC, participants were introduced to the TRANSFER Danube project and its mission to strengthen climate adaptation and disaster risk management in agriculture across the Danube Region. The programme was carefully structured, guiding attendees from a general project overview towards more specialised scientific and technical insights.

A diverse range of expert presentations enriched the agenda. Regional perspectives demonstrated how local authorities are already responding to environmental challenges through climate-conscious planning and sustainable land-use strategies. At the same time, contributions from the Central Danube Development Agency (CDDA) and leading researchers highlighted how climate adaptation strategies are being translated into agricultural practice, supported by field experiments and long-term observations.

Scientific insights played a key role throughout the event. Presentations from Széchenyi István University showcased the importance of agrometeorological data in modern agriculture, explaining how the integration of climate, soil, and crop data can support more informed and adaptive decision-making. Discussions also addressed the impact of climate change on soil structure, nutrient uptake, and crop development, underlining the urgent need for sustainable soil management practices.

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of the TRANSFER Danube e-platform - an innovative digital solution designed to integrate and visualise agro-climatic data across countries. The platform enables users to explore interactive maps, access harmonised datasets, and compare conditions across pilot areas, offering a powerful tool for both policy-makers and practitioners. Its potential to support data-driven decisions and strengthen cross-border cooperation was widely recognised by participants.

Beyond the presentations, the event placed strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement. Participants were actively encouraged to ask questions, share experiences, and provide feedback. A structured feedback process, supported by both printed questionnaires and a QR-code-based  online survey, ensured that valuable input could be collected for the further development of project outputs. Discussions highlighted a strong demand for accessible, practical tools, as well as the need to translate scientific results into clear and usable information for end users.

The conference concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Ema Vasiová, who thanked participants for their active involvement and emphasised the importance of ensuring that project results reach those who need them most – including decision-makers and agricultural producers facing climate challenges on a daily basis. She also highlighted the project’s ambition to deliver tangible, practical outcomes and announced a future information day to present final results.

The event closed with a networking lunch, offering participants the opportunity to continue discussions in an informal setting. This final segment further strengthened professional connections and encouraged continued cooperation beyond the conference.

Overall, the TRANSFER Danube National Stakeholder Conference successfully brought together science, policy, and practice, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange in building a more climate-resilient agricultural future in the Danube Region.