The Danube Schools are part of a greater connection of networks and partnerships within the Danube Region. They are a result of the work of several institutions, associations and active individuals. Since the European Commission adopted the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) in 2010, there has been a growing demand for individuals who understand this complex region as well as the structures
of the EU and other international and national institutions. As the EUSDR was implemented to create synergies and coordination between existing policies and initiatives taking place across the Danube Region, there is a great demand of exchange of perspectives, knowledge and opinions through networking, open discussions, and expertise. Since 2014, several Danube Schools have been organized as short term study programs by the European Danube Academy in cooperation with universities and institutions from the Danube Region. All summer schools are separate units, but strongly connected through topics, aims, backgrounds – as well as through people and project ideas. Since its start in 2014, the Danube School Series has become a well-established and respected platform of exchange and debate among political decision makers, academics, and students. Results and thoughts have been documented in several publications in the Danube Book Series of the European Danube Academy. Each Danube School is also a project development workshop. Small working groups with participants of different backgrounds develop feasible projects that help to foster cooperation and support the unfolding of the region’s economic potential. In 2017, three Danube Schools will take place, one Spring School in Novi Sad, one Summer School in Budapest and one late Summer School in Ulm. In each Danube School participants from different countries learn and discuss about facts, challenges, and projects of the Danube Region. All three summer schools 2017 are cohesive independent schools, but strongly connected and also build upon each other.
