The first call for project proposals of the Danube Region Program has been opened.

The Danube Region Program (DRP) provides financial support to transnational projects that contribute to the development of a more innovative, sustainable and social Danube region. The program was designed within the framework of the objective of territorial cooperation of the European Union. The uniqueness of the program is that it provides a platform for cooperation in strategic areas between EU member states and non-EU countries in the Danube region. Objectives of the call: DRP supports political integration in the Danube region through projects that deal with the main challenges and opportunities of the region in specific areas of action below the EU level (without overlapping with political integration efforts at the EU level) and above the national level. Transnational projects should influence national, regional and local policies (policy drivers). In order to achieve a higher degree of territorial integration of the very heterogeneous Danube region, the transnational cooperation program will act as a political catalyst aimed at solving common challenges and needs arising from certain policy areas. Transnational cooperation is therefore expected to bring tangible results through the development and practical implementation of policy frameworks, instruments and services. For this purpose, the program aims to promote specific pilot investments.

The call is organized in two steps:The first step with an expression of interest,The second step is to submit the completed application form. 

The call is open for project proposals within priorities 1, 2, 3 and special objective 4.2:1. A smarter Danube region2. A greener Danube region with a low carbon content3. A more social Danube region4. Better management of cooperation: 4.2 Strengthening of institutional capacities for territorial and macro-regional management. 

Countries from the program area that meet the criteria: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria.

Eligible partners: officially registered in the program area:• Local, regional, national public bodies/bodies regulated by public law (including EGTCs registered in one country of the program area)• international organizations• private bodies (non-profit organizations and private companies / private profit organizations).

Each project must include at least three project partners from three different countries. 

At this stage, applicants are requested to submit an expression of interest by November 21, 2022.

Financing rate: 80%Total budget: EUR 91,753,091.00

Estimated contribution per project: EUR 2,200,000.00 (maximum duration of the project 30 months).

The application package and all relevant information about the program are available on the program website: http://www.interreg-danube.eu.

Call announcement

Information about the first call

Source: Danube Region Program