The COEUS project – Corporate Digital Responsibility Skills in Central European Smart Specialization – is now entering the final phase of strategy development after nearly two years of implementation. At this important milestone, we look back at the project’s first key step: a comprehensive analysis of the level of awareness and implementation of Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) across the six partner countries – Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, and Italy.
The project’s first major output, COEUS Report for CDR in Central Europe, laid the groundwork for all subsequent activities. As the initial phase of the project, the report established a solid analytical foundation for further development. It combines a conceptual framework of CDR (key concepts, definitions, and challenges), an assessment of SMEs’ digital needs and barriers, and an empirical study carried out among SMEs as well as representatives of public authorities and business support organizations across the six Central European countries.
A total of 170 SMEs participated in the survey, evaluating their understanding of CDR, compliance with relevant legislation (GDPR, DSA, DMA), levels of cybersecurity preparedness, sustainable digital practices, and the integration of ethical considerations into digital governance. The findings indicate that while most companies are familiar with the basic principles of digital responsibility, there is still a lack of deeper, strategic understanding—particularly regarding a comprehensive CDR approach and the implications of evolving EU digital regulations.
One of the key contributions of the analysis is the development of the Education Need Score (ENS) methodology, which enabled the project to quantitatively identify knowledge gaps. The overall average ENS (2.59 on a scale from 1 to 4) points to a moderate need for further capacity building. The greatest gaps were identified in understanding the broader CDR concept and newer legislative frameworks, while smaller gaps were observed in relation to GDPR and fundamental cybersecurity topics.
The analysis also included 59 representatives of public authorities and business support organizations and focused on two key aspects:
•the motivation of stakeholders to participate in the project and CDR training activities,
•their competencies across different CDR dimensions (regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity, ethical use of AI, sustainable digital practices, digital literacy, etc.).
The results show a high level of stakeholder motivation, driven primarily by a sense of responsibility for the project’s success, opportunities for knowledge expansion, and professional recognition. At the same time, the competency assessment indicates that stakeholders generally possess a solid foundation in GDPR and cybersecurity, but further development is needed in more advanced areas of CDR, particularly regarding new EU digital legislation and comprehensive digital responsibility governance.
This initial analysis was not just a research exercise, but a key milestone for the entire project. Its findings have guided the development of training modules, practical tools, and recommendations, which are now being brought together into a joint strategy to strengthen digital responsibility across Central Europe.
The COEUS Report for CDR in Central Europe is attached to this news item and serves as the foundation for building a CDR competency model in Central Europe.
The full report is available at the following link: COEUS report for CDR in central Europe.pdf