DRIVE EAST – Danube Region Impact & Vision Talks

Tuesday, 25 November 2025
09:00–13:00
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Hall 6, Wiedner Hauptstraße 63, 1040 Vienna
Language: English

The Competence Center in cooperation with AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), is pleased to invite faculty, students, and partners to the upcoming DRIVE EAST – Danube Region Impact & Vision Talks.

This half-day conference will convene experts from academia, business, and policy to examine current developments and strategic outlooks for the Danube region and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The program includes two high-level panel discussions and a networking session with a dedicated career speed dating opportunity for students.

Program Overview

09:00–09:30 | Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:30–09:45 | Welcome Remarks

• Gudrun Hager (AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA)

• Sebastian Schäffer (IDM)

• Dionisi Nikolov (WU Vienna)

09:45–10:45 | Panel 1 – CEE in Focus: Navigating Turbulence, Thriving in Markets

Chair: Arnold Schuh (WU Vienna)
Speakers:

• Andrea Gritsch (Wolf Theiss)

• Elitza Kavrakova (Raiffeisen Bank International)

• Johannes Leitner (L&M Advisory)

• Vladimir Vano (GLOBSEC)

This panel will address the evolving business landscape in CEE, shaped by geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, and structural shifts. Topics include investment strategies, innovation potential, and the role of multinational firms in navigating complex environments.

10:45–11:30 | Panel 2 – A Vision for EU Enlargement: The Road Ahead

Chair: Sophia Beiter (IDM)
Speakers:

• Mario Holzner (wiiw)

• Sebastian Schäffer (IDM)

• Martha Suda (Austrian Trade Commissioner for Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Panelists will explore the strategic implications of EU enlargement, particularly in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, and discuss how integration can enhance resilience, competitiveness, and cohesion within the Union.

11:30–13:00 | Networking and Light Lunch
11:45–13:00 | Career Speed Dating – Connecting Employers & Students

Students are especially encouraged to attend the Career Speed Dating session, offering direct engagement with potential employers from the region.

Registration and further details: DRIVE EAST 2025 - WKO