In brief
The 15th Annual Danube Strategy Forum, held in Sofia on Nov. 3‑4, 2026, brought together European and national representatives to discuss the future of EU cohesion policy after 2027. Bulgaria, presiding for the year, emphasized macro‑regional cooperation and the engagement of small and medium‑sized cities, while announcing the handover of the presidency to Croatia for 2027. Key issues included transport connectivity, skills development, climate resilience and security across the Danube Region.
On November 3 and 4, 2026, Sofia welcomed the 15th Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), a gathering that assembled national ministers, EU officials, local authorities, academia, civil society and young people to deliberate on the future of cohesion policy after 2027 and to reinforce cooperation among the 14 Danube‑belt countries. The event was organised under Bulgaria’s rotating presidency of the EUSDR and reflects the country’s motto for the term: “Bridging Regions, Building Cohesion: A Stronger Danube for All.”
Representatives who attended include Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov, Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev, and Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Mariela Modeva. From the European Commission, a video message from Executive Vice‑President Raffaele Fitto and a video address from Director‑General Themis Christophidou of the Directorate‑General for Regional and Urban Policy were delivered via secure links to participants, while welcome remarks were made in person by Charlina Vitcheva, Director‑General of the Directorate‑General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and by Juraj Droba, President of the Bratislava Region and Vice‑President of the European Committee of the Regions.
Central to the programme were discussions on transport and multimodal connectivity, skills and local economies, water management and climate resilience, security, and the role of small and medium‑sized cities in promoting balanced territorial development. The Forum placed particular emphasis on how macro‑regional cooperation can be further leveraged once the EU’s cohesion policy framework transitions beyond 2027. Participants examined the potential reshaping of funding instruments and prioritisation criteria when the current EU cohesion policy cycle concludes, and considered how the Danube strategy could influence the design of the next cycle.
A press briefing was scheduled for 1 p.m. on the first day, allowing journalists and observers to obtain detailed information on the agenda, planned outcomes and the commitments that would emerge from the week‑long deliberations. The briefing was attended by members of the domestic media and international observers and resulted in a set of preliminary statements, all of which were subsequently published on the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works’ website.
The forum concluded with closing remarks delivered by Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria; Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov; and Kristina Bilic, State Secretary at Croatia’s Ministry of. The panel stressed the importance of advancing the Danube’s integrated development, highlighted Bulgaria’s contributions to the presidency, and underscored the forthcoming transition of leadership to Croatia, which will assume the EUSDR presidency for the 2027 term.
For stakeholders across the Danube Region, the event underscored two key civic stakes: the need to ensure that cohesion funds are directed in a manner that tightens economic, social and territorial disparities, and the requirement that macro‑regional strategies remain a central feature of the EU’s policy agenda after 2027. The Forum’s outcomes are expected to influence how future funding will be allocated, how regional policies will be coordinated, and how localities can draw on EU resources to strengthen transport links, improve resilience to climate change, and safeguard security across the shared basin. The collaborative atmosphere of the Sofia forum, characterised by active participation from national ministers, EU officials and civil society, reflects a civic commitment to a more integrated, resilient and cohesive Danube Region.
