Maximising talent through inclusion in the Danube Region

The session brought together speakers from various countries and projects. With a strong turnout, the discussion emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration in fostering inclusive labour markets and leveraging talent in underrepresented segments of society to boost regional development in the Danube area.

Tackling labour and skills shortages

In light of the European Commission's March 2024 action plan to combat labour and skills shortages, the session highlighted key drivers of the current situation: demographic change, job growth from green and digital transitions, and poor working conditions. However, in the Danube Region, these factors are compounded by migration dynamics—both outflows and internal rural-to-urban shifts—and a heterogeneous socio-economic landscape. A significant part of the region, particularly in the south and east, grapples with the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) challenge, with minority groups disproportionately affected.

The overarching premise of the session was that human capital—the abilities, skills, and potential of disadvantaged and underrepresented segments of society—women, the aged, and the Roma, is underutilized. Unlocking this potential through education, training, and skills development is critical for fostering robust labour markets and healthy socio-economic fabrics in the region.

The discussion included a panel of experts composed of project coordinators and cohesion policy practitioners:

Dr. Kathrin Bohling, Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (Germany)
Jelena Zlojutro, VHS (Austria)
Helena Cvenkel, BSC Kranj (Slovenia)
Maria Magdalena Voinea, National Authority for the Interreg Programmes (Romania)

Talent realization and employment challenges

The panelists underscored the need for well-trained specialists in times of a shortage of workers and the mismatch between potential of people in disadvantaged groups and their realization in workforce. For example, Dr. Bohling highlighted challenges faced by women in forestry, a sector traditionally dominated by men. Across the Danube Region, women are significantly underrepresented in forestry decision-making roles, despite their growing presence in forestry education programmes (ranging from 25-50%).

The Roma and elderly populations face similar difficulties in accessing quality employment due to discrimination, ageism, and lack of skills development opportunities. The panelists have emphasized that fostering inclusion requires targeted interventions that address these specific barriers.