Europeanization of the Danube Region: The Blue Ribbon Project
Europeanization of the Danube Region: The Blue Ribbon Project
Contributor(s): Attila Ágh (Editor), Tamás Kaiser (Editor), Boglárka Koller (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, Socio-Economic Research, Geopolitics
ISSN: 1589-6781
Published by: Kossuth Kiadó Zt.
Keywords: Danube Valley; Danube Strategy; regional development;civil society;
Summary/Abstract: The Blue Ribbon Project, namely the establishment of a functional macro region along the river Danube is an attractive experiment. This EU generated initiative was born in 2009 in the upper Danube city of Ulm and since then a wide range of stakeholders signed up for it. Parallel to this, research centres, think thanks, governmental and intergovernmental actors have been participating in the debate and discourse on it. The Blue Ribbon Research Centre (BRRC), established in 2009 at the King Sigismund College, Budapest and supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA) within the framework of the No. 81553 Research Project, defines itself as part of the academic network dedicated to contribute to this new project in Europe by furnishing analyses, findings and recommendations. The multi level governance theories (MLG ) provide the overall theoretical framework for analysing and understanding the emerging macroregions. The research conducted by the BRRC aims to explore the various forms of MLG and identify and conceptualise the main challenges facing European macro-regions.
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-963-955-945-5
- Page Count: 260
- Publication Year: 2010
- Language: English
Danube Strategy as a challenge of globalized locality (glocality): The Europeanization of a Functional Macro-Region in the Danube Valley
Danube Strategy as a challenge of globalized locality (glocality): The Europeanization of a Functional Macro-Region in the Danube Valley
(Danube Strategy as a challenge of globalized locality (glocality): The Europeanization of a Functional Macro-Region in the Danube Valley)
- Author(s):Attila Ágh
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:13-39
- No. of Pages:27
- Price: 4.50 €
Regional development in the EU and the European Danube Strategy
Regional development in the EU and the European Danube Strategy
(Regional development in the EU and the European Danube Strategy)
- Author(s):Tamás Kaiser
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Governance, Geopolitics
- Page Range:40-63
- No. of Pages:24
- Keywords:Danube strategy;regional development;
- Price: 4.50 €
Towards a European Strategy for the Danube Area
Towards a European Strategy for the Danube Area
(Towards a European Strategy for the Danube Area)
- Author(s):Jürgen Dieringer, Patricia Laukó, Gábor Schneider
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic policy, Geopolitics
- Page Range:64-91
- No. of Pages:28
- Summary/Abstract:This article aims at identifying the aim, general structure, and content of the European Danube Strategy. In a first step, we present the functional macro-regional cooperation as a fairly new approach of the EU aiming at tackling the territorial or spatial problems in general and economic and social underdevelopment in particular. First of all, we define the political background shaping the aims and constraints of political actors when striving to implement their political priorities in the multilevel environment of the EU (1). We then elaborate on macro-regional cooperation as a fairly new method of EU action in the field of fostering regional development (2). A final part of the article presents the governance structure (3) and the policies at stake (4). We end with a resumé pointing out the problems of and the perspectives for the EDS.
- Price: 4.50 €
Stakeholder involvement in the preparation process of the European Danube Strategy
Stakeholder involvement in the preparation process of the European Danube Strategy
(Stakeholder involvement in the preparation process of the European Danube Strategy)
- Author(s):Zsolt Pálmai
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:92-108
- No. of Pages:17
- Summary/Abstract:This paper, as a part of the “New forms of multilevel governance in the EU and Hungary” scientific research programme focuses on the involvement of stakeholders in the preparation and drafting the European Danube Strategy (EDS). By contributing to the work of the other authors of this research, the voice of regional, trasnational, national institutions, different authorities, and European Institutions is worth examining as it plays a crucial role in defining the final content and consequently the expected outputs and results of this macro-regional strategy.
- Price: 4.50 €
From the pilot experience of the Baltic Sea Strategy to the implementation of macro-regions in other regions
From the pilot experience of the Baltic Sea Strategy to the implementation of macro-regions in other regions
(From the pilot experience of the Baltic Sea Strategy to the implementation of macro-regions in other regions)
- Author(s):Anna Molnár
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:109-133
- No. of Pages:25
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of antecedents of the European Danube Strategy (EDS), especially focusing on the Mediterranean area. For decades the EU Mediterranean policy has had the goal of promoting cooperation between the EU and partner States placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Although the macro-regional strategy was not in the heart of the ongoing process of the Mediterranean cooperation, the Barcelona process has contributed to the development of the spatial planning conception of macro-regions. This study provides a new approach to examine the possibilities of creating functional macro-regions on the basis of the same legal and conceptional framework in the different regions of the EU, similar to the Danube region or the Mediterranean area.
- Price: 4.50 €
The complementarity of the Danube Strategy with other Regional Initiatives in Central Europe – a view from Slovakia
The complementarity of the Danube Strategy with other Regional Initiatives in Central Europe – a view from Slovakia
(The complementarity of the Danube Strategy with other Regional Initiatives in Central Europe – a view from Slovakia)
- Author(s):Tomáš Strážay
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:134-144
- No. of Pages:11
- Summary/Abstract:There exist a significant number of regional initiatives and regional groupings in Europe. Some of them have existed for decades, others just for a few years, while some of them are just being created. The reason why regional cooperation is so important and popular might be explained in several ways. First of all, what binds countries participating in regional initiatives is their will to reach common goals and enhance their cooperation. Secondly, by developing a positive agenda for cooperation, they bridge the gaps caused by problematic historical development or animosities. Therefore, the creation of any regional initiative in Europe should be supported.
- Price: 4.50 €
The Danube Strategy and Innovation Perspectives and priorities
The Danube Strategy and Innovation Perspectives and priorities
(The Danube Strategy and Innovation Perspectives and priorities)
- Author(s):Tamás Szabó, Tamás Polgár
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:145-172
- No. of Pages:28
- Summary/Abstract:The first half of 2011 is likely to be an exceptionally important period for Hungarian foreign policy, as Hungary will hold the presidency of the European Union (EU) for the first time since the country’s accession. The single most important aspect of the country’s preparations for the presidency is defining its political priorities. The preparation and implementation of the presidency programme is, indeed, the responsibility of the incumbent government, however, the effective participation of other sectors and players, such as economic, cultural, scientific, civil, are indispensable. To that end, consultations and preparations regarding the priorities and main horizontal policy goals have been going on for years. In that respect, 2009 was already a rather dynamic year. The preparations have both a European and a national perspective. With regards to the European perspective, one must take into consideration the new institutional setting, namely that the rotating presidency, since 2007, has taken place within the framework of trio-presidencies. Therefore, Hungary is destined to a closer co-operation with the other two members of the presidency trio, Spain and Belgium.
- Price: 4.50 €
The imagined region Prospects of the Danube identity
The imagined region Prospects of the Danube identity
(The imagined region Prospects of the Danube identity)
- Author(s):Boglárka Koller
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:173-187
- No. of Pages:15
- Summary/Abstract:Noting the the success of the Baltic Sea Strategy, seven European countries (germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia) decided in 2009 in the upper Danube city of Ulm that they will develop and execute the European Danube Strategy (EDS) in order to enhance the socio-economic cohesion of the Danube macro region. later other countries (Czech Republic, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovenia) in the river basin joined the initiative and currently fourteen countries participate in the EDS. The Danube Strategy is currently still in the process of making.
- Price: 4.50 €
Civil society participation in the European Danube Strategy
Civil society participation in the European Danube Strategy
(Civil society participation in the European Danube Strategy)
- Author(s):Stefan August Lütgenau
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Civil Society, Geopolitics
- Page Range:188-205
- No. of Pages:18
- Summary/Abstract:This paper analyses the concept and contextual framework of the European Danube Strategy (EDS) with respect to the role of civil society within the strategy. The development of the EDS is a work in progress. A great part of the documents are to be found online, in unpublished papers presented at conferences and/or meetings or are to be regarded at least as “grey literature”. On the background of the mental mapping dominant in the Danube region with its multiple barriers, rifts and breaks, the capacity for the inclusion of civil society is conceded in the planned strategy by the EU commission. Here, all bodies, the commission, member states and non member states taking part in the Danube strategy are analyzed. Our research reveals that almost all public stakeholders (member states, non member states, the commission) call in one way or the other for an inclusive approach to civil society. However, none of the public actors provide a clear concept, structure, or call to designate recourses to include civil society.
- Price: 4.50 €
The emerging Danube Macro Region from the perspective of Budapest: Creating new networks of cooperation in development
The emerging Danube Macro Region from the perspective of Budapest: Creating new networks of cooperation in development
(The emerging Danube Macro Region from the perspective of Budapest: Creating new networks of cooperation in development)
- Author(s):Lívia Török, Ders Csaba
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:209-221
- No. of Pages:13
- Summary/Abstract:The Budapest metropolitan region has been trying to define its place on the geopolitical, economic and “mental” map of the transforming Europe since Hungary has joined the EU in 2004. The structural forces of the economic crisis created again an opportunity and impetus to reconsider this dilemma. The emerging Danube Region in turn, provides a new framework of thinking in two ways: firstly, because it defines Budapest by the Danube within Europe, but at the same time because it redefines the role of the Danube in the identity of Budapest. The historical and geographical symbolism as well as the beauty of the Danube predestines it to be an ideal source of identity. But if we would like to utilize it to identify Budapest in geopolitical, economic, cultural etc. terms in the forming European space, we need to have a deeper understanding about the role of the river as a physical as well as a socio-cultural infrastructure in its broadest sense that can shape the life of the metropolis. This insight will allow us later on to reinterpret this relationship successfully, fostering a new emergent Budapest identity.
- Price: 4.50 €
Measuring regional competitiveness with special focus on the Danube Strategy
Measuring regional competitiveness with special focus on the Danube Strategy
(Measuring regional competitiveness with special focus on the Danube Strategy)
- Author(s):Róbert Kovács, Ivett Sipos
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Geopolitics
- Page Range:225-255
- No. of Pages:31
- Summary/Abstract:The Mercedes factory through their lawyer sent a letter to the mayor of Kecskemét to establish contact with the town because of an investment project which could materialize in the city. The letter said that they were preparing an investment in a year and they selected five different countries, one of them in Hungary. Before the final decision they would like to contact the city. At the first meeting, the mayor of Kecskemét wanted to know why they chose their city, what take an offer to mercedes to select for the place of the fabric the city. We are not sure whether it happened as in that short story, but something similar had to happen. Our opinion is that Kecskemét is practically part of the agglomeration of Budapest, is not more than one hour by car from the capital city. But it is a situated in BácsKiskun county which has bad social and economic indicators with a high unemployment rate. Despite this Kecskemét had a strong industrial background, skilled people to serve the potential investment. What can the local government do to convince the german visitors on a positive decision for them? Tatabánya, a town north-west of Budapest, by the end of 1990s created an organization to help investments. They were authorized to sell their plots and serve potential investors with the maximum comfort, made preparations to bring all necessary information on the city and its surroundings to the potential investors, and helped to ease the bureaucratic procedures for them. In the end it was a success story since Kecskemét won the investment.
- Price: 4.50 €
Authors
Authors
(Authors)
- Contributor(s):Attila Ágh (Editor), Tamás Kaiser (Editor), Boglárka Koller (Editor)
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Essay|Book Review |Scientific Life
- Page Range:257-260
- No. of Pages:4
- Price: 4.50 €