EU project Dinamic DanubeFrom knowledge to impact: DINAMIC DANUBE combines analysis, practice, and policy for sustainable agriculture in the Danube region

From January 26 to 28, 2026, the partners of the Interreg project DINAMIC DANUBE – Developing Innovative Alliances for Management, Innovation and Collaboration in European BioEconomy met in person for the second time in Villach, Austria. Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), together with lead partner RIT Croatia, had prepared a packed and varied program that offered space for strategic coordination as well as new technical input.

A special highlight was the on-site visit to an agricultural business organized by the hosts. This not only marked an important milestone in the project's implementation, but also served as a first introduction to the five upcoming study visits to Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, and Slovenia.

Project progress at a glance – a new perspective on change in the Danube region

The discussions and presentations in Villach clearly demonstrated how consistently DINAMIC DANUBE is working to develop an integrated transformation model for small agricultural businesses. Instead of placing individual measures, the project takes a holistic approach that combines analysis, practical testing, and political impact.

The focus is on building a shared knowledge and learning landscape that will continue to exist beyond the project. This includes research into the situation of small family farms in the Danube region, the development of new learning and training formats, and the networking of thematic centers of excellence. This forms the basis for practical approaches that can be directly applied in the everyday life of small farms – from mentoring and further training to the use of digital tools and precision technologies.

The insights gained are then fed into institutional and political dialogue: in recommendations, workshops, and formats that are intended to help shape the framework for modern, sustainable agriculture in the long term. The exchange in Villach showed that DINAMIC DANUBE is doing much more than just communicating new content: a new ecosystem of learning and collaboration is emerging that connects actors, disciplines, and countries.

Moving beyond fragmented support services, the project focuses on a coherent, network‑based approach that paves the way for resilient, digitally supported, and sustainable agriculture. Particular attention is given to small family farms and women‑led farms, which play a central role in the Danube region.

On-site visit to Wernberg Abbey – reality, challenges, potential

The visit to Wernberg Abbey, where a tenant farm is run on an almost entirely organic basis, offered the project partners direct insights into the everyday reality of small family farms: limited resources, firmly established working methods, reluctance to embrace new technologies – but at the same time great potential for sustainable further development.

These practical examples are especially important for DINAMIC DANUBE. They form a valuable basis for the upcoming study visits and are directly incorporated into the further development of mentoring programs, curricula, and technological pilot measures.

DINAMIC DANUBE at a glance

The project responds to key challenges facing the Danube region—from rural exodus and structural change to digitalization gaps and increasing pressure to operate more sustainably.

DINAMIC DANUBE strengthens small family businesses through:

• Targeted skills development and digital training
• Mentoring and peer learning
• low-threshold technologies and pilot projects
• transnational networking
• empowering women in agriculture
• policy dialogues and recommendations

Seventeen partners from 13 countries are working together to create a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient agricultural economy in the Danube region.

The role of the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

As the German partner, the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (SEZ) plays a key role in shaping the project’s content and strategic direction. As leader of the third specific objective, the SEZ coordinates:

• policy workshops and recommendations
• the development of 13 national policy briefs
• dialogue with authorities and relevant stakeholders
• Europe-wide dissemination of project results

In this way, the SEZ makes an essential contribution to ensuring that the results of DINAMIC DANUBE continue to have an impact beyond the project duration.

Outlook

With the successful meeting in Villach, the project opens a new chapter: analyses will be deepened, pilot measures specified, and political dialogues prepared. The coming months promise intensive cooperation — and important steps toward a modern, digitally supported, and resilient agricultural sector in the Danube region.