ERI SEE and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region
The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) was adopted by the European Commission in 2010 and was endorsed by the European Council in 2011, with the aim to boost the overall development of the Danube region, with the common understanding that all its citizens should enjoy better prospects of education, employment and prosperity. The Strategy includes a wide range of issues addressed by 4 pillars and 12 priority areas (PA), of which the PA 9, Investing in People and Skills, is focusing on education and training, labour market and marginalised communities. It is coordinated by Austria, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, with the involvement of a wide network of key players and stakeholders from the 14 countries of the Danube Region, steered by the Steering Group.
ERI SEE is an associated member to the Steering Group, contributing to its work without the voting rights. In this status, ERI SEE participated in the 26th and 27th Steering Group Meetings, held in May and November 2024 respectively.
In April 2024, EUSDR PA9, OeAD and ETF jointly organized a conference on Greening of VET in the Danube Region: Changing skill demands and the role of Centers of Vocational Excellence, sheding light on key issues of changing skill demands and the role of Centers of Vocational Excellence in meeting these demands by taking construction and energy as example of two key economic sectors for the green transition. The conference enabled transnational cooperation, identifying opportunities for cooperation in this area in the Danube Region. In addition to the sectoral focus, the meeting also addressed the issue of Greening of VET in general, inviting policy platform members to present related key initiatives and good practices in the Danube Region countries.
In addition, in May 2024, EUSDR PA9 organized the 12th International Stakeholder Conference focusing on Fair, Green and Digital Transition in Education and Labour Market Policies, sharing good practices, addressing common challenges and developing innovative projects and networks in the green transition process.
ERI SEE contributed to these events by sharing its experiences during the panel discussions and by moderating discussion sessions.
ERI SEE is one of the proud winners of the Danube Strategy Flagship Certificate, awarded to it for its contribution to the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, having a clear macro-regional dimension and a multi-level governance approach.
