- Main Areas of Cooperation
The Council offers assistance to all potential partners in identifying appropriate themes and modalities for cooperation in implementing the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, on both functional and thematic fields of assistance:
Advocacy: such partnerships leverage the reputation and networks of primary stakeholders and of the Association to promote vital development issues in the framework of the Strategy.
Develop Codes of Conduct: such codes set standards and reference frames that define acceptable behavior.
Share and Coordinate Resources and Expertise: by disseminating existing knowledge as well as sharing complementary resources these partnerships help build capacity, particularly in developing countries.
Harness Markets for Development: the Association partners with the private sector to support the development and expansion of sustainable markets—locally, regionally and globally. Such partnerships either provide access to markets, such as producer networks, or help bridge or deepen markets by providing incentives for business to invest. Develop Concepts, Strategies necessary to implement the targets of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and its Action Plan.
Foster the Multilevel Governance which serves the fundamental political objectives of the European Union: a Europe of citizens, economic growth and social progress, sustainable development, and the role of the European Union as a global player. It reinforces the democratic dimension of the European Union and increases the efficiency of its processes. It does not, however, apply to all EU policies, and when it does, it rarely applies symmetrically or homogenously.
- Principal Objectives and Activities
The Council acts as the political voice of the Danube Cities and Regions with in particular the following objectives:
To organize and develop dialogue, consultation and cooperation between all Danube Cities and Regions, while respecting the Constitutions, laws and regulations, and treaties in force in the States, as well as respecting and promoting cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and religious tolerance within the Region.
To promote regionalization in the Danube Region and encourage the application of the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity between the local, regional, national and European Institutional levels. To ensure that these objectives will be fulfilled in the long-run, the involvement of young people needs to be fostered. Therefore, the Council supports efforts and networking of regional youth parliaments, councils and organizations under the responsibility of the Council.
To promote the institutional participation of Regions in the decision making processes and thereby increase their active role in the construction of Europe, especially in the work of the Council of Europe, of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and of the European Union;
To support and promote the principles of respect for democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, the principles of market economy, social and environmental sustainable development;
To cooperate with and support activities within Interregional Association or Organizations, and other European associations representing regional and local authorities;
To run its own programmes or participate in programmes organized by third parties in order to realize or pursue its own objectives.
To sign agreements with organizations sharing common interests with the Council; they have to be approved by the Governing Board and ratified by the General Assembly.