The Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) was founded in 1953 and initially focused on the Danube region in its research. In 1993, it was renamed the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe. IDM acts as a gateway to the region and contributes greatly to the cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, research and culture. At the same time, IDM sees itself as a clearinghouse for the Danube region and Central and Southeast Europe by supporting the work of embassies, trade missions, cultural institutes and national tourist offices. As a think tank, IDM performs basic groundwork for government agencies, political institutions and NGOs. In international seminars, symposiums, summer schools and workshops, IDM also serves as an institute of learning and training. In addition, IDM organizes expert meetings, conferences, workshops and lectures. In this context, cooperation with institutions that share IDM’s goals is of particular significance. IDM maintains a documentation center and a reading room with specialized publications on current developments in the countries of the Danube region and Central and Southeast Europe.