EUSDR Onboarding and Institutional Memory training session
In 2023–2024, the Danube Strategy Point (DSP) conducted a Capacity Building Needs Analysis (CBNA) to enhance collaboration among key EUSDR stakeholders and support the effective implementation of the Strategy. Based on previous EUSDR Implementation Reports, the EUSDR policy/impact evaluation, and other key documents, the CBNA combined both qualitative and quantitative research methods (desk research, surveys, interviews, focus groups) to identify critical capacity-building needs.
The analysis revealed that stakeholders require targeted support in several areas, such as strategic planning, consensus-building, negotiation, and cross-cultural cooperation. The CBNA also mapped institutional dynamics and underlined factors essential for good governance in the EUSDR context.
As a result, the priority topics identified for capacity-building activities will be addressed through five thematic training modules between 2025 and 2028:
- Onboarding and institutional memory – 2025
- Policy analysis and advocacy skills – 2025
- Communication, collaboration, consensus-building and soft skills – 2026
- Strategic planning for EUSDR objectives – 2027
- Leadership and self-leadership – 2028
Cross-cultural administrative contexts will be addressed as a horizontal theme throughout all five sessions, both in terms of content and structure. This theme aims to help participants understand the legal frameworks, institutional settings, and international working environment.
Overall objective
The primary aim of these training modules is to further support enhancing the skills and competencies of new and/or existing EUSDR core stakeholders (National Coordinators (NCs), Priority Area Coordinators (PACs), and Steering Group (SG) members) to respond to their expressed needs and contribute to the Strategy’s effective implementation. Also, the training modules focus on strengthening the cooperation between EU member states and candidate countries to promote mutual learning, trust-building, and policy alignment, which are essential for addressing shared challenges across the Danube Region, thus enhancing the Strategy’s ability to deliver balanced development, reinforce institutional capacities, and support the EU integration processes, while enabling the exchange of context-specific experience from EU candidate countries.
Specific objective
This module is designed to enhance cooperation between experienced and newly involved EUSDR core stakeholders, enabling them to work more effectively within a multi-level governance framework. It also seeks to explore and further contribute to identifying and embedding key institutional memory processes across the Strategy, ensuring continuity, effective handovers and retention of expertise within the Strategy.
The onboarding and institutional memory training module will facilitate collaboration and structured knowledge transfer across governance levels, supporting continuity within Priority Areas and National Coordination.
Target group
40 participants (NCs, PACs and SG members, on a first-come-first-served principle).
