Danube-INCO.NET — Advancing Research and Innovation in the Danube Region

Several macro-regions are being identified throughout the European territory, covering large areas across national borders. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was adopted in October 2009; the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) started its implementation in June 2011; and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was endorsed by the European Commission in 2012.

What is a macro-region?

There is no standard definition for a macro-region. Generally it alludes to an area including territory from a number of different countries or regions associated with one or more common features or challenges.

European Macro-Regional Strategies

The idea behind EU Macro-Regional Strategies is to add value to interventions, whether by the EU, national or regional authorities or the third or private sectors, in a way that significantly strengthens the functioning of the macro-region. Moreover, by resolving issues in a relatively small group of countries and regions the way may be cleared for better cohesion at the level of the European Union. Working together can become a habit and a skill. In addition, overall coordination of actions across policy areas will very likely result in better results than individual initiatives.

The objectives of a macro-regional strategy will clearly vary according to the needs of the regions concerned.

The EU Macro-Regional Strategies do not rely on any addittional funding. In this respect, one of the challenges is to find ways to use existing resources, legislation and structures to be better used for the benefit of the whole region.

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