IDM Danube Salon 2026

On 19 May 2026, the IDM Danube Salon was held in the framework of the Europa Forum Wachau under the theme “European Regions Fostering European Integration.” The event marked the 15th anniversary of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and focused on the importance of regions when it comes to the future of EU enlargement and EU integration.

The event was opened by Simon Ortner (Secretary General of the Working Community of the Danube Regions (ARGE Donauländer) and Head of the Department of International and European Affairs at the Office of the State Government of Lower Austria) and featured a presentation of the ARGE Donauländer annual programme by Vadym Shkarivskyi (Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional Council and Chairman of ARGE Donauländer for 2026–2027).

The subsequent panel discussion brought together Martin Eichtinger (Director of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna), Harald Stranzl (National Coordinator of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs), Vadym Shkarivskyi, Răzvan Ștefan Rab (National Coordinator of the EUSDR at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Sophia Beiter (Research Associate at IDM). Moderated by Sebastian Schäffer (Director of the IDM), the discussion explored the future of European integration and the importance of cross-border cooperation, while also highlighting the importance of citizen engagement and regional networks like the EUSDR and the ARGE Donauländer for a resilient Europe.

You can find more about the IDM Danube Salon 2026 here: https://europa-in-niederoesterreich.at/donau-salon-2026/