The Priority Area 8 “Competitiveness of Enterprises” of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) contracted a study to identify lighthouse projects in the Danube Region and to implement communication measures to spread the knowledge about these lighthouse projects accordingly. The study will be implemented by Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (Steinbeis 2i GmbH) together with its subcontractors, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Slovenia and the Pannon Business Network (Hungary).
The primary goal is to identify 30 lighthouse projects in three key sectors: (1) green tech, circular economy & circular bioeconomy, (2) digitalization, AI, metaverse & virtual worlds and (3) supply chains and finance. Ten lighthouse projects will be selected in each sector.
A major focus of this study will be on boosting communication efforts to share the successes, activities, and best practises of these lighthouse projects. This will help to spread their impact and encourage cooperation and exchange across the Danube Region. Furthermore, this study aims to contribute to building innovative ecosystems in the Danube Region that can better support SMEs, enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.
The communication measures include three workshops next to internet articles, powerpoint presentations and social media campaigns. The workshops will be integrated into larger events such as the workshop “digitalization, AI, metaverse & virtual worlds” into the congress “Virtual worlds – economic opportunities in the metaverse” on 8 May 2025 in Stuttgart.
Priority Area 8 is particularly pleased that Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, a renowned and interdisciplinary organization with great experience, will lead this important initiative alongside its partners. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum brings expertise in project development and implementation, backed by a strong network, for example through acting as coordinator of the PA 8 Working Group “Innovation and Technology Transfer” and many further engagements, and deep knowledge across various sectors. The combination of experience, interdisciplinary know-how, and innovation will play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of the lighthouse projects and sustainably boosting the competitiveness of enterprises in the region. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum will be supported in the field of green tech, circular economy and bioeconomy by the Slovenian Chamber of Industry of Commerce. The Chamber is engaged in the cooperation in the EUSDR as Coordinator of the PA 8 Working Group Circular Economy and Bioeconomy and has a good overview of projects in the field, also through successful implementation of a great number of EU funded projects. In the field of digitalization, AI, metaverse & virtual worlds Pannon Business Network (PBN) will support as expert. PBN is coordinating the PA 8 Working Group Artificial Intelligence and is for example implementing as lead partner the DRP Interreg funded PA 8 Flagship project “BrAIn” – Bringing Artificial Intelligence towards SMEs”.
Priority Area 8 is confident that the study and communication measures will bring significant benefits and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises in the Danube Region.
