Priority 1: A more competitive and smarter Danube Region Grant

About this grant

Priority 1 of the Interreg Danube Region Programme (DRP) focuses on building a more competitive and smarter Danube Region. The DRP is a transnational funding programme co-funded by the European Union, designed to advance cooperation, competitiveness, and sustainable development across the Danube macro-region through innovation, green transition, social inclusion, and better regional governance. The programme supports cooperation projects across 14 partner countries in the Danube region, with a total programme budget of approximately €226 million. The programme operates through open calls for proposals and funds transnational cooperation projects under four Priorities divided into ten Specific Objectives. Priority 1 specifically targets competitiveness and smart development, likely encompassing areas such as research, innovation, digitisation, and economic modernisation in line with EU cohesion policy objectives for smarter Europe. Approved projects are managed through the Jems system, and the programme also supports implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). Support structures include a Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat based in Budapest, national contact points in each partner country, and detailed applicant and implementation manuals to guide project partners from application through project closure.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are organisations from the 14 partner countries of the Interreg Danube Region Programme who wish to participate in transnational cooperation projects. Partner countries span the Danube macro-region and include EU member states as well as non-EU partner countries. Projects must involve transnational partnerships. Specific eligibility rules regarding organisation types, minimum number of partners, and country requirements are detailed in the Applicant's Manual. Projects must address one of the programme's Specific Objectives under the four Priorities.

How it's scored

Applications are evaluated through a formal assessment process described in the Applicant's Manual. Evaluation criteria typically include the relevance of the project to the programme's priorities and specific objectives, the transnational added value of the cooperation, the quality of the project plan and methodology, the qualifications and experience of the partnership, the sustainability and durability of results, and the cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget. A programme body comprising representatives from all partner countries oversees programme administration and project assessment.

Key requirements

• ✓Transnational cooperation projects involving partners from Danube Region countries
• ✓Focus on innovation and competitiveness aligned with smart economy objectives
• ✓Alignment with Interreg Danube Programme 2021-2027 priorities

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Priority 1: A more competitive and smarter Danube Region?

Eligibility covers organisations in AT, BG, HR, CZ, HU, DE and 5 more countries; startup, sme, large-company, nonprofit, university, research-institution, local-authority, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate software and data funding supports emissions accounting, climate risk analytics, Earth observation, digital MRV and tools for planners. It is offered as innovation grants, public contracts for data services and support from technology programmes. Buyers generally look for data quality, interoperability and evidence that users rely on the tool.