Danube Transnational Programme Marius V. Niculae Project Officer 9th Meeting of the Steering Group of PA8 10 December 2015, Budapest (Hungary)

Programme mission and framework Contribute to a higher degree of territorial cohesion Act as policy driver towards positive change Develop policy frameworks, tools, services and concrete pilot investments

Programme budget Budget lines Amount in EUR ERDF 202,095,405.00 IPA 19,829,192.00 Total EU support 221,924,597.00 National co-financing 41,065,242.00 Total Programme budget 262,989,839.00 ENI (to be confirmed) 5,000,000.00+?

1. Specific Objective 1.1 S.O. 1.1 Improve framework conditions for innovation Funding of transnational projects: ERDF 56.586.713,00 EUR IPA 5.459.759,00 EUR No ENI funds available for the first call

1. Specific Objective 1.1 Needs and challanges for cooperation Important disparities in terms of resources allocated for RD&I in the DTP area Uneven framework conditions affecting the innovation sector and resulting in different level of performance of the local stakeholders Major difficulties in transforming scientific results into marketable products Weak quadruple helix linkages Not enough emphasis on social innovation and eco-innovation Modest flows of information and knowledge transfer

1. Specific Objective 1.2 Needs and challanges for cooperation Important disparities in terms of human and financial resources allocated for RD&I Weak cross-disciplinary links resulting in different levels of knowledge and innovative skills of the local stakeholders Not enough emphasis on social innovation and eco-innovation Low level of employment in knowledge intensive sectors affecting the dissemination of innovative actions and results Different adaptability levels of labour force to innovative learning systems

Synergies with PA8 WG – Innovation and Technology Transfer WG – Cluster of excellence WG – Cooperation of Business organisations WG - Environmental Technologies and Energy Efficiency WG – Competitiveness in rural and urban areas WG – Innovative vocational education and training WG – Entrepreneurial learning

Calls for proposals First call for proposal: 2-step approach (Expression of Interest – Application Form) Budget available: 76 MEUR of ERDF and 7.5 MEUR of IPA 1st step launched on 23.09.2015 and closed on 03.11.2015 2nd step only for pre-selected proposals starting April 2016 Starting of the projects foreseen for end of 2016 Second call for proposal: Foreseen for the end of 2016

Expected contributions of DTP projects to the EUSDR Applicants are expected to describe the link to the relevant EUSDR Priority Area(s) and the concrete contribution to the implementation of the Priority Area(s), as well as the contribution toward achievement of the EUSDR current targets and/or corresponding actions, as described in the official list of targets and actions (http://www.danube-region.eu/component/edocman/action-plan-eusdr-pdf) The applicant is also advised to check the websites of the specific Priority Areas in order to better understand how the proposal can contribute to the EUSDR (http://www.danube-region.eu/about/priorities).

Danube Transnational Programme DTP support interventions with transnational character and result‐oriented approach Deliver concrete and measurable outputs and results, in response to well identified transnational challenges affecting the programme area Transnational relevance of the topic / theme Integrated territorial approach Deliver durable outputs and results (target group and ownership) Quality partnership of the project Efficient in terms of mobilised resources

Danube Transnational Programme Expected projects: Result oriented approach Clear and coherent intervention logic Link of the project intervention logic to the programme one Involvement of the relevant stakeholders in the partnership (multilevel governance) Experienced applicant Clear understanding and strong contribution to the selected Specific Objective Clear contribution to a EUSDR PA and its related targets/actions

Hints for developing a successful project Idea first, financing instrument after Always keep an eye on the result-oriented approach and focus on the change Base your work on a solid understanding of DTP core-documents Link your project to clear needs / challenges of the Danube Region and to strategies such as EUSDR and EU2020 Build a consistent project intervention logic matching the programme intervention logic Choose “the” right partnership for achieving your objectives and transnational impact Have a look around: capitalise previous work, build synergies with on- going initiatives, avoid overlaps with other SOs or further funding instruments

www.interreg-danube.eu marius.niculae@interreg-danube.eu Priority 1   Marius-Valentin NICULAE Project Officer Joint Secretariat | Danube Transnational Programme Honvéd utca 13-15 – 1055 Budapest, Hungary Tel: +36 1 896 1967 marius.niculae@interreg-danube.eu