DANUBE4all 3rd General Assembly 2025 — Ulm, Germany

In May, the historic city of Ulm, Germany played host to this year's project Assembly - a meeting of minds, passion, and purpose! We were honoured to convene our third General Assembly — an inspiring four-day event where all 26 project partners, Associated Partners and representatives of our Associated Regions region came together, both in person and online.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Martin Pusch, Gabriela Costea, Pippa de Kinder and all the team at our partner Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGBerlin). Their meticulous planning of the event and the warmth of the Baden-Württemberg welcome made this year's meeting memorable indeed!

🎯 A Bold Path in River Restoration

DANUBE4all is set to contribute an ambitious vision for the future of the Danube. With bold research goals and high-impact targets, this year's General Assembly, which marks the half way stage of the project, provided a vital space for feedback, exchange, and strategic action across our diverse workstreams.

🗓️ Assembly Highlights

Day 1 – Taking Stock, Gaining Ground...

Our first day kicked off with project-wide updates, reflecting on our evolution since our meeting in Belgrade last year. Each work package reported progress in scientific, technical, and citizen science areas.

Our afternoon deep dive sessions included discussions and inputs on:

• River connectivity assessment methods

• Species occurrence modelling

• Fish monitoring data analysis

  
  

Discussion and brain-storming around the development of our GIS-based online screening tool was also held. It is envisaged that this interactive mapping tool will help with decision making around restoration planning and the scalable replication of restoration actions across the Danube region, as well become a useful tool for wider education and public engagement.

Images copyright @DANUBE4all

Day 2 – Spotlight on Associated Regions

Five regional restoration projects, chosen as DANUBE4all’s Associated Regions, took centre stage. Supported through funding and technical aid, these local initiatives embody the project’s ripple effect.

Our five Associated Regions are:

• Jindřichův Hradec Municpal Authority, Czech Republic

• District Council Cahul, Moldova

• Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Public Authority, Poland

• MARE-FCUL Seixal Municipality, Portugal

• Seyhan Municipality, Turkey

 📖 Read more about these innovative restoration projects...

💡 Using a thematic working group approach, partners discussed the methods, tools and approaches that Associated Regions could test and apply from the various project themes and work packages, as well as the types of materials required. These learning outcomes will help create tailored pathways to replicate DANUBE4all’s methods in their unique river systems and catchment areas.

Day 3 - From Ideas to Action...

The day kicked off with a vibrant session spotlighting the strides made in citizen science and public engagement. Over the past year, partners have made impressive headway in their targets to improve water literacy and to promote environmental education and citizen participation, led by work package lead partner, Pulsaqua.

💡Highlights include:

• An ecopsychology-inspired Playback Theatre production

• Launch of the hands-on Danube Wall Puzzle

• A captivating Travelling Exhibition

• Publication of 'Lau Laughs Again – A Children’s Book from the Danube', by Iulia Iordan and Gabriela Costea and illustrated by Anca Smărăndache. The German language version is available to order via Amazon.

• Water Stewardship campaign: We learned how the Water Sports Clean-Up initiative is inspiring community involvement across regions. Another proto-type of the online Citizen Science Toolbox entitled the 'Local Action Guide' was also put to the test, giving project members the chance to provide valuable feedback for further development. The online guide will help facilitate local environmental initiatives by providing information, suggesting key tools and methodology, connecting to existing initiatives, and altogether inspiring individuals who have an idea at its seed and are seeking resources to help their idea grow.

Images copyright @DANUBE4all, Pulsaqua

Further deep dive sessions focused on progress at the project’s research/demonstration sites, where nature-based river restoration efforts aim to deliver environmental wins in tandem with economic and social benefits.

📖 Read more about our three project Demo Sites...

A major milestone was celebrated with news that works on the removal of groynes has started at the Upper Danube site in Donau-Auen National Park near Vienna, Austria. This marks an exciting leap forward from last year’s planning phase. These tangible actions are supported by robust engagement with local communities and regional organisations. DANUBE4all is both building on existing foundations and igniting fresh momentum across our three restoration sites located in the Upper, Middle and Danube Delta regions.

Day 4 - Stakeholder exchange

The final day centered around discussion of the project's main output - the Danube River Restoration Action Plan. This plan, which will be put forward for consideration as part of ICDPR, EU and other international river management frameworks, will focus on five crucial aspects:

• The river's ecological status, biodiversity improvement and ecosystem connectivity

• Flood and drought risk reduction

• Enhancement of sediment continuity through the Danube and main tributaries

• Economic interests on the river and their sustainable development

• The promotion of environmental awareness, water literacy and the development of effective citizen science programmes and actions.

Representation from local stakeholder groups including the Bavarian State Fishing Association/Landesfischereiverband Bayern e.V., the Baden-Wüttemberg State Fisheries/Landesfischereiverband Baden-Württemberg e.V, and The Danube Office/Donaubüro gemeinnützige GmbH were present.

Both Bavarian and Baden-Wüttemberg State Fisheries are responsible for managment, conservation and regulation enforcement in their particular region, while The Danube Office is a non-profit limited company of the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm responsible for promoting and facilitating interregional cooperation and development in the entire Danube region.

A lively discussion was held with project partners around how these organisations can lend their experience and expertise to the project in the coming two years.

DANUBE4all partners. Copyright @DANUBE4all

Steps forward...

💡 The path ahead involves navigating a complex landscape of scientific, technical, and socio-economic factors. Restoration at this scale requires transboundary cooperation, coordination across administrative layers, and a deep understanding of the intertwined human and natural systems at play. It's ambitious, but vital, work and inspiring progress is clearly underway!