Restoration of the Danube River Basin for ecosystems and people from mountains to coast
The Danube River
The Danube, the second-longest river in Europe, stretches more than 2,000 kilometers from source to sea.
From its source in south-west Germany, its waters traverse diverse riverine habitats and ecosystems, including intricate networks of water bodies, creeks and channels, floodplain forests, water meadows, lakes, gravel islands, sandy banks and the unique delta habitats by the shores of the Black Sea in Romania and Ukraine.
DANUBE4all is an EU ‘Lighthouse Initiative’ in support of Mission “Restore our ocean and waters by 2030".
This 5-year, Horizon Europe funded project consists of a consortium of 48 Partners and Associated Partners from 14 European countries.
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DANUBE4all aims to restore freshwater ecosystems in the Danube River Basin through the development of a comprehensive, scientifically-based and practically-orientated Restoration Action Plan (RAPDRB). The project seeks to address the lack of knowledge, awareness, and participation of local people and business actors in the implementation of freshwater ecosystem restoration.
DANUBE4all is an unprecedented co-creation process between scientists, researchers, SMEs, investors, public bodies, policymakers, and local communities.
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The primary environmental challenges the project seeks to address are:
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Extensive loss of river connectivity and associated ecosystem degradation
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Biodiversity losses
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A need for nature-based solutions that can help revitalize the way we interact with the river.
DANUBE4all also seeks to show both the economic and social benefits of restored ecosystems to local communities and SMEs in an effort towards longer-term restoration efforts.
"The overall focus of this ambitious project will be on delivering pathways to promote the improvement of the river’s ecological status, biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity throughout the Upper, Middle and Lower River Basins."
Helmut Habersack
DANUBE4all Lead Project Coordinator
BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
DANUBE4all
DANUBE4all is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101093985.
