From challenges to practical solutions
Launched in May 2024 and co-funded by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, COEUS brought together seven partners from six Central European countries with a shared objective: to strengthen Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) skills and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) embrace digitalisation in a responsible, secure, inclusive and sustainable way.
Throughout the project, partners worked closely with companies, public authorities and business support organisations to better understand CDR challenges and develop practical solutions.
The project began with a comprehensive analysis of CDR awareness, knowledge and implementation across Central Europe, involving 170 SMEs and 59 representatives of public authorities and business support organisations. The findings identified important knowledge gaps and provided the foundation for the project’s subsequent activities.
Developing skills and testing solutions
Building on this research, COEUS partners developed a comprehensive SME upskilling and reskilling programme, including a CDR Handbook, training modules, practical exercises, case studies and guidance for trainers.
The programme was tested through a transnational pilot in five countries, combining training of trainers, workshops for SMEs and tailored mentoring activities. The pilot provided valuable insights into the practical application of CDR principles and helped validate the programme’s methodology and training resources.
In addition, partners developed a Capacity Enhancing Kit to support public authorities and business support organisations in strengthening their capacities to promote responsible digitalisation.
Turning project results into long-term action
An important achievement of COEUS is the development of a joint Strategy for Corporate Digital Responsibility in Central Europe and five territorial Action Plans.
These documents build on the project’s research, pilot experiences and stakeholder consultations, providing a common framework and practical measures for supporting CDR skills development, SME support and regional cooperation beyond the project lifetime.
The Strategy and Action Plans were presented and discussed at the COEUS final public conference, held in Turin on 24 September 2026. The event brought together project partners, experts, companies, public authorities and other stakeholders to reflect on the results achieved and explore opportunities for their continued application.
The COEUS legacy continues
Although COEUS is coming to an end, the knowledge, tools and partnerships developed through the project provide a valuable foundation for future activities.
The training programme, practical resources, Capacity Enhancing Kit, joint Strategy and territorial Action Plans can support SMEs, trainers, public authorities and business support organisations in integrating Corporate Digital Responsibility into their activities.
COEUS has demonstrated the value of transnational cooperation in addressing shared digitalisation challenges and creating practical approaches that can be adapted and further developed across Central Europe.