The COEUS project launched its activities with a two-day inaugural partner meeting held on June 17-18, 2024. Hosted in a hybrid format, the event brought together stakeholders, partners, and experts to discuss the project’s vision, goals, and strategies for advancing Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) in Central Europe.
Day 1 Highlights
The first day featured a transnational launch event, open to stakeholders, and began with a warm welcome by Lead Partner Ana Pejić (DIHS). A series of expert presentations set the stage for understanding CDR in the European context:
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Jessica Huntingford and Rob Price discussed the International CDR Manifesto.
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Gregor Spagnolo highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in CDR.
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Jaka Repanšek explored the intersection of digital law and CDR.
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Martina Mak shared insights from past projects related to CDR.
Regional partners also shared their experiences supporting digitalization and skill development in SMEs, emphasizing the importance of sector-specific strategies aligned with smart specialization (S3/S4).
Day 2 Focus
The second day opened with an overview of Interreg Central Europe program rules by Anna Sirocco, Project Officer. Discussions then shifted to project work packages (WPs), led by WP leaders:
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WP1: Martina Mak (UniNorth) outlined survey plans to assess state-of-the-art CDR skill development, targeting 30 stakeholders and 12 SMEs.
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WP2: Ana Pejić emphasized monitoring and continuous improvement of transnational pilot activities.
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WP3: Chiara Sarri introduced plans for establishing a flexible Transnational Stakeholder Group.
The meeting also included the first Steering Committee session, where partners finalized the Partnership Agreement, discussed cost reporting requirements, and reviewed communication strategies presented by Tinkara Godec (CCIS).
Next Steps
Partners agreed on an ambitious timeline, with key milestones including the launch of CDR surveys, stakeholder engagement strategies, and preparations for the second project meeting in Graz later in 2024.
The COEUS project aims to empower SMEs with the tools, skills, and strategies needed to adopt sustainable, ethical, and secure digital practices. This inaugural meeting has set a strong foundation for achieving these goals and fostering collaboration across Central Europe.