Welcome to CENTROPE, the Central European Region at the crossroads of four countries in the heart of the New Europe!

With the federal provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, South Moravia Region, Bratislava and Trnava Regions as well as Györ-Moson-Sopron County, a new cross border economic space and place to live in for more than six million people is being created with CENTROPE.




At a European interface
An economic and investment space with a great future
A crossroads and science region of European standing
Supreme quality of life
The most important institutions in the CENTROPE regions
Basic data about CENTROPE




At a European interface
Roughly six and a half million people live in the eight counties, regions and federal provinces that make up the Central European Region. The position of the region at the intersection of four countries and four languages – the interface of the new Europe par excellence – is reflected in the immense variety of the CENTROPE partner regions and cities.
The two capitals Bratislava and Vienna, as ‘twin cities’ at a distance of solely 60 kilometres from each other, Brno and Győr as additional cities of supra-regional importance as well as numerous other vibrant and attractive towns are the engines of an economically and culturally expanding European region. The Central European Region unites strong partners which ideally complement each other and – collectively even more than each of them on its own – stand for quality of life, opportunity, creativity, growth and openness.


An economic and investment space with a great future
Economically speaking, the Central European Region and its population are among the major beneficiaries of EU enlargement. CENTROPE serves a bridgehead function vis-à-vis the growth markets in the new member states and the entire Eastern and South-eastern European space. The region also offers the possibility of exploiting competitive advantages due to cross-border economic activities conducted within a very small area. Intensive economic ties and significant direct investments are clear proof of the strong international orientation of the participating regions and cities.
CENTROPE is a growth region that harbours enormous potentials. The partner regions in the former transformation countries may expect a continuing annual growth of up to five percent for the coming years. At the same time, the Austrian partners add one of the most prosperous urban agglomerations of Europe to the partnership. Growth and prosperity in the Central European Region are based on stable and solid foundations rooted in its long tradition as an industrial and service location, a universally high qualification level among the population, outstanding education facilities and reliable social security systems.


A crossroads and science region of European standing
The convenient location and expanding market make CENTROPE an economic and investment space that offers excellent opportunities both for large-scale international corporations and small or medium-sized enterprises. Situated at the crossroads of important European transport corridors and disposing of efficient international airports, CENTROPE offers excellent accessibility and short distances to all European key markets. Measures to close existing gaps and eliminate bottlenecks in the cross-border transport network as well as to step up the modernisation of the existing infrastructure will further improve internal and external accessibility in the foreseeable future.
CENTROPE is characterised by a staggering number of institutions of research and higher education, which constitute a valuable potential for the future development of the region. For example, it is home to fully 25 public universities and art academies as well as numerous extramural research facilities, universities of applied science, innovation centres and R&D-oriented enterprises. Already today, the research and educational institutions of the Central European Region are co-operating in manifold ways. By working together, CENTROPE can evolve into a strong know-how and knowledge region in the European higher education and research area.


Supreme quality of life
Scarcely any other region can rival CENTROPE’s close interlinkage of urban centres and natural and recreational spaces ‘just around the corner.’ The wetlands along the rivers Danube, March/Morava and Thaya/Dyje as green lungs of the region, the foothills of the Alps and Carpathians as well as Lake Neusiedl are just the most striking tassels in a mosaic of often untouched natural landscapes in the Central European Region. The close links between culture and entertainment in the metropolises on the one hand and the recreational value of not fewer than four national parks, unique landscapes shaped by man and innumerable sports and leisure options in the natural spaces of the region on the other hand make CENTROPE a place of supreme quality of life.
A multifaceted cultural scene that combines large-scale events and festivals of worldwide renown with the creative output of a vibrant and international art community is among the most important assets of CENTROPE. The Central European Region boasts carefully preserved yet dynamic cities, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, famous theatres, music and festival halls as well as a wide variety of museums guaranteed to whet any visitor’s interest. Together, they are heirs to a rich cultural legacy reflecting a history that for long periods has also been a shared past.
For all these reasons, CENTROPE defines itself as a meeting-point at the heart of Europe situated at the interface of different linguistic areas that attracts enterprises, people and ideas from all over the world. The quadrangle, that is an incomparable mix of culture, nature and urban flair, of pleasure and joie de vivre, of creativity and love of the arts. In all these areas, CENTROPE fulfils the requirements for becoming one of the most dynamic and appealing European places to live in.
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Basic data about CENTROPE
The most important figures about CENTROPE as download in PDF format.



Facts & Figures from the statistics authorities of the four countries:
Austria
Czech Republic
Hungary
Slowakia

Route CENTROPE – discovery trips in the heart of Europe




Issue No. 1: Wine & Architecture



Centrope Subsidies Guide



The guide gives an overview about the diverse subsidies for interested enterprises and respective contact persons within the CENTROPE region



Political Conference CENTROPE 2007, Bratislava



CENTROPE ready for take-off: The partner regions and -cities agree on the next steps for deepening the cooperation



The CENTROPE Newsletter 06


The current issue that moves the Central European Region: Economic Area CENTROPE



The CENTROPE Business & Labour Report



A tool for cross-border policy making



STANDARD Newspaper Supplement about CENTROPE



CENTROPE newspaper supplements released in four languages on various topics. The topic of the current issue: Innovation and Technology



CENTROPE moves



The up-to date brochure about results, projects and strategies of the Central European Region



NÖN/BVZ Newspaper Supplement about CENTROPE



CENTROPE newspaper supplement of „Niederösterreichischen Nachrichten“ and „Burgenländischen Volkszeitung“ .



Vision CENTROPE 2015


Agreed by the CENTROPE partners: The roadmap towards a common future in the Central European Region.



CENTROPE – Investor service



Based on the independent EU-project DIANE (Direct Investment Agencies Network),
'CENTROPE – Enter The Growth Market' offers a competent access point for potential investors in the region.



CENTROPE is supported by the European Commission