SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DANUBE REGION: INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION DAY IN BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
Baden-Württemberg is a crucial partner in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. The engagement of the various stakeholders from Baden-Württemberg is characterised by both the manifold opportunities emerging from cooperation in the Danube Region as well as the responsibility to contribute to the stability and cohesion. Thus, the Information and Participation Day in Stuttgart on the 29 June 2017, focused on the opportunities to cooperate in the Danube Region for stakeholders in Baden-Württemberg.
On 2 May 2017, the ministerial council in Baden-Württemberg endorsed guidelines for the (further) implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. State Secretary Theresa Schopper highlighted that the Information and Participation Day offers the opportunity to present activities and perspectives of Baden-Württemberg to the public and exchange on common projects that are supposed to make a difference in the region. In the discussion groups at the Information and Participation Day, the participants discussed thematic priorities of the guidelines such as economy, energy and environmental technologies, vocational training or involvement of civil society.
State Councillor Gisela Erler pointed out that the involvement of civil society is crucial for the successful implementation of the Danube Strategy. Especially in areas such as vocational training and environmental protection, civil society organisations need to be partners.The findings and proposals gathered at the Information and Participation Day in Stuttgart will enter the discussion on the Agenda for Participation at the fourth Danube Participation Day in Budapest on 17 October 2017, prior to the EUSDR Annual Forum.
The Information and Participation Day in Baden-Württemberg was organised by the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, Europa Zentrum Baden-Württemberg, Baden-Württemberg Foundation, Danube Civil Society Forum, Allianz für Beteiligung, Agapedia, and EUSDR Priority Area 10 “Institutional Capacity and Cooperation”.
