Socio-Economic Assessment of the Danube Region: State of the Region, Challenges and Strategy Development

Aims of the study One aim of the study is to analyse the current situation in the Danube Region with respect to prosperity, entrepreneurship/SMEs and cooperation activities to identify the obstacles which hinder the improvement of the situation. It is also elaborated what - in the view of regional experts and political and administrative decision makers - are sensible areas for activity which can be pursued as part of the EUSDR. Approach The scrutiny of the current situation with respect to the above mentioned areas, which is based on a well-founded analysis of all available empirical information to the concerned topics. In order to identify possible cooperation activities and their restrictions qualitative inquiries (e.g. focus groups, interviews, online discussion) have also been carried out so that the view of regional experts (policiy, public administration, academia, business) is incorporated into the study.