Abstract: The Danube region has been particularly affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic, so the recovery of the region's economy requires increased attention. The purpose of this article is to analyze the possibilities of financing through the Danube Transnational Program 2021-2027. It continues the previous research dedicated to the management of the projects implemented through the financing programs dedicated to the Danube Region. All the measures described in the program are based on the territorial strategy and must be seen in the broader context of existing strategic frameworks, such as the EUSDR (especially for PA7, PA8 and partly PA9), the Territorial Agenda 2030, the New Leipzig Charter, Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Green Agreement.

Using survey and observation, we have analyzed the main benefits of regional macro-strategies funded through programs dedicated to the Danube Region. Trandafir considers that the EUSBSR (for the Baltic Sea Region) and the EUSDR (for the Danube Region) are good practice models for initiating new macro-regional strategies (Trandafir, 2016). From this perspective, the funding possibilities of the Danube Transnational Program (DTP) 2021-2027 are examined in comparison with the funding provided by the Danube Transnational Program 2014-2020. The global economic crisis caused by the pandemic has led European Commission decision-makers to direct the funds available for the region's economic recovery. In this regard, Marchis (2020) appreciates that “Covid-19 lessons highlighted alternatives, solutions and priorities for 2021-2027 programming period”.

At the same time, “the most common treatment option for economic development problems can be best handled through strengthening the competitiveness of the SME sector and the coordination and diversification of economic strategies” (Panaitescu, 2017). The strategic objectives of the Danube Transnational Program 2014-2020 were built around four priority axes:

The Danube transnational program 2014-2020 established for the Danube Region was designed as a complementary tool for implementing EUSDR objectives (Panaitescu & Trandafir, 2015).

All the Danube countries, without exception, are currently facing the Covid-19 pandemic and are looking for solutions to recover their economy. Thus, based on stakeholder consultation, in the Danube Transnational Program 2021-2027, new chapters were introduced in relation to covid-19 pandemic effects, complementarities and synergies, macro-regional strategies and mission program. The opportunities offered by the Danube Transnational Program 2021-2027 refer to the following strategic objectives (Table 1):

Target groups of funded operations include all public and private institutions and stakeholders that will be involved or use/benefit from the project outputs/results.

Target groups are according to their legal form local, regional and national public authorities/institutions, bodies governed by public law, international organisations and private bodies.

Target groups comprise according to their thematic scope among others local, regional and national public authorities and organisations established and managed by public authorities, research and development institutions, universities with research facilities, business support organisation (e.g. chamber of commerce, business innovations centres), higher education, education/training centre and school, civil society organizations, expert bodies or networks (in fields such as urbanism) private enterprises including SME.

Marchis, G. (2020). Thinking and Acting in a Disrupted Europe. Journal of Danubian Studies and Research.

Panaitescu, M. & Trandafir, M. (2015). EUSDR - Strategic Management Opportunity for Financing European Projects. Journal of Danubian Studies and Research, Vol 5, no. 2.

Panaitescu, M. (2017). Danube Transnational Program - Project Management between Desiderata and Perspectives. Journal of Danubian Studies and Research, Vol. 7, no 2.

Trandafir, M. & Panaitescu, M. (2016). Macro-Regional Strategies in the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Danubian Studies and Research, Vol. 6, no. 2.

1 Senior Lecturer, Phd, Danubius University of Galati, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Romania, Address: 3 Galati Blvd., Galati, Romania, Tel.+40372361102, Fax. +40372361290, Corresponding author: manuelapanaitescu@univ-danubius.ro