DAREnet and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Priority Area 5 on Environmental Risks have successfully concluded the second part of this year’s Annual Practitioner Forum. This episode in forms of a panel discussion was attended by more than 50 persons of all countries of the Danube River Region, representing first responder organisations, academia, industry, and public authorities. It aimed to facilitate discussions on policy-level about how the challenges, gaps and needs that were identified in the first part could be addressed. The panel was comprised of representatives of EC’s DG HOME, DG ECHO and DG REGIO as well as the Danube Transnational Programme and the EUSDR PA5 Disaster Management Working Group. Building upon the outcomes and recommendations of the first part, the panellists discussed how innovation in flood risk management training in the Danube River Region can be enhanced through strategic partnerships.