European Early Innovators Initiative (EEII) is a project mainly funded from Danube Strategic Project Fund, initiated by competent actors from 4 countries (Romania, Italy, Ukraine and Slovakia) and which resulted as an opportunity to diminish gaps in the current situation from Danube region when it comes to innovation and research in terms of market needs.

EEII tackles some grand challenges of the Danube Region:

• Young people are not much interested in studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
• Young researchers are not enough encouraged or supported to become entrepreneurs.
• Research does not result in innovation.
• Scientists are not used to analyzing markets or to take into account the needs of the industry.
• Germany’s and Austrian’s best practice in promoting innovation is insufficient known and implemented by other economies in the Danube Region.
• The success rates of applications for European funds is very poor in the Eastern part of Danube Region.

Achieved results, elaborated documents, and created opportunities will be presented on the official website according to the progress of EEII.

The initiative as such is designed as a complex action. Internal project work is combined with measures what involve stakeholders and beneficiaries. The strategic European Early Innovators Program (EEIP) will be prepared by the ongoing EEII. Funding opportunities for EEIP will be identified and a strong consortium will be established. The aim is also to support young scientist in RO, SK, and UA to become successful entrepreneurs and to think and act as such. In this way, the project contributes to the thriving of the young scientist in the region and thus fosters the entrepreneurial spirit and the culture of innovation.

Project duration: January 2018 – December 2018

Budget: Funding provided by the Danube Strategic Project Fund