Lighthouse Projects in the Danube Region (Study commissioned by Priority Area 8 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region)

The Danube region encompasses a diverse and economically significant area in Europe. The aim of this study is to examine the region and identify lighthouse projects that can be implemented in the fields of action

• green tech, circular economy & circular bioeconomy
• digitalization, AI, metaverse & virtual worlds
• and supply chains and finance.

These fields of action are crucial for maintaining and promoting the competitiveness of especially small and medium-sized enterprises in the region. Exemplary projects and initiatives in these areas can serve as models for innovation and the establishment of new processes. This study aims to increase competitiveness in the entire Danube region. This can be achieved through networking initiatives or new collaborations with identified lighthouse projects.

Beyond the production of a study document, the project will produce presentations on the selected lighthouse projects, which will improve visibility on the EU Danube Region Strategy website and will also implement workshops with international stakeholders in pursuit of the same goal.

Among other things, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has the following roles as a project coordinator:

• Identification of lighthouse projects
• Methodology for the selection of lighthouse projects
• Scoring and selection of lighthouse projects
• Preparation of studies, presentations and workshops to make the lighthouse projects visible

Further information:

• Project Name: Identification of lighthouse projects in the Danube region and implementation of communication measures to ensure competitiveness of enterprises
• Funding: EU Strategy for the Danube Region on behalf of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs
• Budget for all partners: 68.750 €
• Participating countries: Germany, Hungary, Slovenia
• Project duration: 11/2024 - 11/2025