1. EU Strategy for the Danube Region
2nd Joint Meeting of EUSDR PA 8
three Working Groups
„Cooperation of Business Organizations”
Osijek, 22 – 23 September 2016

2. EU Strategy for the Danube Region
14 countries
9 EU Member States
3 Accession Countries
2 Neighbourhood Countries
Common interests
Common approach
Joint initiative
Joint activities
The Strategy is not about funding, it is about closer cooperation!

3. CCE PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR IMPROVING COMPETITIVENESS OF DANUBE REGION
DIGITALISATION
SME SUPPORT
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
INTERNATIONALISATION
DUAL EDUCATION

4. DIGITALISATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT
The Digital Single Market was highlighted as the second priority area in the political guidelines for the Commission
The DSM should ensure free movement of goods, persons, services and capital — and where citizens and businesses can seamlessly and fairly access online goods and services.
Today: markets largely domestic in terms of online services
only 7% of EU SMEs sell cross-border
Tommorrow: EU's single market freedoms "go digital„
DSM could contribute €415 billion to the European economy, boosting jobs, growth, competition, investment and innovation
EU market is largerly considered as a domestic market in terms of online services, and accoding to the Eurostat datas, only 7% of EU small and medium sized enterprises sell their products and services cross-border.
If we want to cope up with the world trends and maintain the the position as a world leader in the digital economy, we have to make the EU’s single market fit for the digital age.  
By creating the DSM, all 4 EU’s single markets freedoms will „go digital”. The Digital Single Market could contribute €415 billion to the European economy, boosting jobs, growth, competition, investment and innovation. It can expand markets and foster better services at better prices, offer more choice and create new sources of employment. It can create opportunities for new start-ups and allow existing companies to grow and profit within a market of over 500 million people.

5. DIGITALISATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT
Creating a digital platform to enhance the SME competitiveness, innovation and growth and improve the business climate in the EU by providing a new model of digital communication and cooperation
by developed digital platform „eChambers4SME”, the Chambers will encourage the digital transforation of existing businesses and provide digital support to SMEs
Eurochambres – Digitalisation Working Group upon the CCE initiative
European Public Law Chambers – meeting on digitalisation in Sept 2016

6. SME SUPPORT AS PRIORITY PROJECT
INVOLVES SEVERAL PROJECTS:
START-UP SUPPORT
INTERNATIONALISATION – ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY DUAL EDUCATION
EDUCATION OF ENTERPRISES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING

7. helping them achieving their business goals.
START-UP SUPPORT
GOALS:
ACTIVITIES:
Current state analysis
Analysis of SME legal framework
SWOT analysis of chambers in becoming a national BSO for development of start-up eco system
Defining of necessary activities and staff for each chamber in the development of eco system for innovation in business
Development of digital platform supporting chambers in their communication with start-ups
Creating risk capital fund co-financed by EU for financing start-ups
Developing system of education for Chambers’ representatives in the field of start-up support
Creating favourable conditions for:
start of new and innovative business activities
development of new and creative ideas of young entrepreneurs
increase of competitiveness and market penetration of fast-growing companies
Connecting academic and business community
Developing new finance instruments for enterprises
Decreasing unemployment rate (especially youth unemployment rate)
The project objective is to provide different services to SMEs in all development phases, especially in an early stage, depending on their needs and potentials but also continuously providing support to already established members
helping them achieving their business goals.

8. INTERNATIONALISATION
GOALS:
ACTIVITIES:
Mutual foreign trade analysis
Defining and analysing key fairs, business venues and events
Developing a support model for co-financing the presence of SMEs on fairs and other events in EU
Co-financing annual meetings of Chambers’ representatives on the fringes of main fairs
Creating digital platform for organisation of all activities between Chambers and fairs as well as for co-financing and communication with their members
Developing e-Learning system of education with all other activities intended for enhancement of SME internationalisation
Joint participation on fairs and in business delegations on the third markets
Revitalisation of most prominent fairs, business venues and events
Stronger connection within internal EU market
Joint entrance to the third markets
Increase of export and foreign investments
The project objective is to enhance competitiveness of the economies by providing support to enterprises in entering foreign markets, promoting investment climate and business opportunities in the SEE.

9. The project objective is to strengthen the Chambers’ capacities
DUAL EDUCATION SYSTEM
GOALS:
ACTIVITIES:
Reducing unemployment, especially youth unemployment
Compatible labour and market needs
Compatible educational system for the needs of the economy
Stronger ties among businesses and educational system with chambers’ support
Skilled work force educated in the industry
Developed standards for all stakeholders engaged in the apprenticeship
Pilot projects
Apprenticeship advisors in the chambers – education of Chambers’ staff
Certification of SMEs and mentors in the companies
Providing support to apprentices
Database of interested and certified SMEs
Promotion of VET
The project objective is to strengthen the Chambers’ capacities
for implementing and developing the dual education system in the whole Danube region.

10. RESEARCH & INNOVATION AS PRIORITY PROJECT
GOALS:
Connect the science and the industry
Commercialisation of innovative products and services
Promoting the S3 within the business community (especially to SMEs)
ACTIVITIES:
Current state analysis
Analysis of the possibilities of chambers to become a national BSO for development of eco system for innovation in business
Defining necessary activities and staff for each member in the development of eco system for innovation in business
Developing system for educating the chambers’ representatives in the field of research & innovation support
Promotion and/or developing regional S3

11. Croatian Chamber of Economy
Tel.:
Fax:
Rooseveltov trg 2
10000 Zagreb, Croatia