11th Danube Participation Day

We are thrilled to announce that the 11th Danube Participation Day successfully took place on June 19, 2024, in Vienna. The event brought together participants from various countries in the Danube Region and beyond, fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation.

Event Highlights

The day began with a reflective panel discussion featuring representatives from civil society organizations, the Council of Europe Ukraine, the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, and the EUSDR presidency. This discussion provided a comprehensive analysis of the outcomes from the previous Danube Participation Day and explored the potential for macro-regional cooperation to support civil society and local actors. The panel concluded with participants sharing their expectations for the event.

Agora Session

Following the panel discussion, the Agora session offered participants a platform to present their projects, initiatives, and NGOs. This session showcased a variety of innovative initiatives, which is already available online for broader accessibility.

Transition Labs

After a networking lunch, attendees participated in three Transition Labs, focusing on identifying needs, solutions, and best practices in the following areas:

• Funding for Civil Society and Local Actors:

  • Emphasized the need for flexible, easy-access funds and simplified reporting procedures.

  • Highlighted the importance of comprehensive support throughout the funding process, including technical assistance and capacity-building.

  • Stressed the value of peer-to-peer exchanges and mentoring programs to enhance knowledge and capabilities.

  • Called for improved visibility of funding sources and simplified procedures, especially for smaller organizations.

  • Advocated for less bureaucratic public-private partnerships and adaptive processes.

  • Suggested the use of a FAQ chatbot and National Contact Points for transparent information dissemination.

• Capacity Building:

  • Focused on targeted training in local languages, social innovation, and participatory approaches.

  • Highlighted the importance of spreading know-how and improving communication and dissemination.

  • Proposed flexible academic training, online courses on sustainable funding, and permanent budgets for capacity building.

  • Suggested transferring project results through networking and improving funding knowledge.

  • Emphasized better use of social media, targeted communication, and organisational memory practices.

  • Encouraged engaging local communities through sub-granting and legislative empowerment.

• Participation and Dialogue:

  • Stressed the importance of educating civil society organizations (CSOs) and public officials on digital skills and raising awareness about rights and processes.

  • Called for establishing a culture of participation from the grassroots level and political commitment to dialogue.

  • Highlighted the need for needs analysis and access to open data for transparency and accountability.

  • Shared successful examples of community engagement and the establishment of networks and platforms for participation.

Funder's Talk Panel

The day concluded with the Funder's Talk panel, where representatives from the Austrian Development Agency, Danube Region Programme, and Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine/European Commission – DG NEAR provided insights into funding programs, supported actions, and the role of civil society and sub-national actors.

We look forward to continuing this journey towards a sustainable, resilient, and stable transition in Ukraine and beyond, with the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.

You can find more information on the 11th Danube Participation Day at the DCSF´s website.