Programming process
The preparation process for the development of the new programme has started in 2019, following the establishment of a Task Force (TF) composed of representatives of 14 Partner States taking part in the future programme.
Based on an independent Analysis of Territorial Challenges, Needs and Potentials of the Danube Region, the Interreg Regulation for the 2021-2027 period, Strategic Environmental Assessment and the feedback collected via stakeholder consultation, the Managing Authority/ Joint Secretariat (MA/ JS) developed the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027, including 4 priorities and 10 specific objectives as the basis upon which the future programme implementation will be built.
The new programme was officialy adopted by the European Commission on 29 November 2022.
Download Interreg Programme Danube Region 2021 - 2027
Stakeholder consultation
The MA/ JS has carried out several consultations to explore the expectations of the stakeholders towards the new programming period. The gathered feedback aimed at providing evidence for the programming process, especially with regard to appropriateness of policies, objectives and activities considered as relevant to be financed by the new programme.
The first round of national consultations with stakeholders was held in May 2020. The survey with a mix of questions about transnational relevance of different topics, activities, and project ideas, was sent to 1833 stakeholders from national and regional bodies (EUSDR) of the member countries. The consultation received 393 responses.
The second online questionnaire was published at the programme’s website in February 2021 and reached out to 157 respondents from among national and regional authorities, educational institutions, members of civil society as well as chambers of commerce. In addition, several international organisations operating in the Danube region (e.g. ICPDR, WWF) were approached by the consultation directly.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA)
During the programming process, in accordance with the provisions in force of the Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (SEA Directive) as well as the UN Protocol on strategic environmental assessment of the Espoo Convention (SEA Protocol), a screening procedure was carried out to assess the need for an environmental assessment in case of the Danube Region Programme 2021-2027*.
The SEA Screening Report, developed under obligation of the SEA Directive and SEA Protocol and consulted with the Environmental Authorities of the DRP Partner States, has concluded that a full SEA is not required for the DRP 2021-27 at this stage.
*Please note, that although the enclosed SEA screening document, finalised in October 2021, refers to INTERREG Danube Transnational Programme 2021-2027, meanwhile the programming Task Force of the DRP Partner States decided to name the new programme “Danube Region Programme”.
