PA 5 - Environmental Risks

The project supports the sustainability of improved governance of the PA5 (securing staff and covering related costs for co-coordinating countries for a 6-year period) which ensures continuous, stable, and effective coordination of the PA activities to implement its Targets and Actions in order to realize the regulations of the Floodrisk Directive (2007/60/EC) and the related elements of the WFD (2000/60/EC) in the Danube Basin, also the Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Eventually, the project results in a more strengthened international and institutional cooperation (with other PAs, international organizations like ICPDR, ISRBC, EC, JRC, GWP, and Carpathian Convention, Regional Public Authorities, Higher Education institutes, other MRS of EU, Volunteer Rescue organizations and Disaster Management authorities) in the field of flood protection, climate change adaptation (e.g increased floods, drought management, support the EU Climate Change Adaptation Strategy) and accidental river pollutions in the region. Additionally, improved and consolidated management of the PA will be led to increased project generation and to reach a higher involvement of the stakeholders in the implementation of the Strategy. The project supports the harmonization of policies and planning processes, also discovering transnational challenges and finding common solutions on a macroregional level. Facilitates the realization of solidarity principle in the watershed with the involvement of non-EU countries, but evident on an upstream-downstream relation as well.

In the current period, PA5 organized the 23rd and 24th Steering Group meetings, which was held in a hybrid format on 27th June 2023 in Bucharest (Romania) and the 29th of November 2023 in Budapest (Hungary), partly jointly with PA4. The 24th meeting was organized jointly with the EUSDR PA4 Steering Group meeting.  The event was organized by the Hungarian co-coordinator and co-hosted by the Romanian co-coordinator.   PA5 continuously updated the contact list of SG members and managed the communication with the SG in all cases by written procedure. In total 17 new articles were published on the website by MFAT during the reporting period. The cooperation with DSP is as fruitful. Altogether 6 project proposals have been submitted by our key Partners to the Danube Region Program in line with PA5 targets and actions. PA5 gave financial and technical support to the “SAFETY4TMF” project proposal – Coordinated prevention and disaster management activities for Tailing Management Facilities by authorities, municipalities, and other stakeholders to reduce transnational risks and hazards, which proposal was also submitted to the DRP by the Hungarian Ministry of Interior. The PA5 Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG) organized jointly with DARenet project partners a policy level forum in February 2023 in Bratislava, as well as developed a state-of-the-art report about the disaster management at macro-regional level, including policy recommendations. At the end of summer of 2023, PA5 DMWG supported the I. Danube Rope Rescue Contest, which took place in Budapest. Pa5 actively participated during the reporting period on the relevant ICPDR export group and high-level meetings.  In October, PA5 organized the bi-annual Danube Flood Forecasting Forum, jointly with ICPDR and JRC. While PA5 fulfilled our DRP project targets according to the Specific Objectives (SOs), PA5 supported project preparations, including the development of the InDiMaND project for the DRP 2nd Call, and contributed to ongoing strategic project implementations. We also created synergies across various funding calls, such as HORIZON (MY-RIAD, DIRECTED), DRP (SAFETY4TMF, SPONGE CITY, RESTORIVER, and BeReady), and other project calls, including CBC programs. PA5 actively participated in relevant EUSDR events, including the NC-PAC Meeting and the Annual Forum (AF), as well as various meetings of the ICPDR (ASP). PA5 was also involved in preparing the quality assessment for the DRP (0401254) - IDEAM NBS proposal, evaluating the relevance of the project’s topic in relation to the EUSDR Action Plan, specifically PA5. Additionally, PA5 contributed to the ICPDR’s Overview Report on Droughts and Low Water Levels in the Danube River Basin Policy Document, reinforcing the importance of addressing these challenges within the region. At the EUSDR Annual Forum held on June 20-21, 2023, in Vienna under the Austrian presidency, PA5 organized a significant parallel session titled “Navigating Nature’s Extremes: Understanding the Dynamics of Floods and Droughts." This session, led by PA5, included experts from Boku, ICPDR, IIASA, the World Bank, and the General Directorate of Water Management in Hungary. The session underscored the urgency of proactively managing environmental risks within the Danube River Basin, with experts emphasizing the tangible impacts of climate change. They highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies and funding opportunities to mitigate these impacts on the water cycle, advocating for action across various governance levels, from local to basin-wide approaches. Furthermore, discussions pointed to the importance of the 2019 Action Plan revision for implementing effective climate change mitigation measures in managing environmental risks. A key highlight during this period was PA5 and its Disaster Management Working Group’s (DMWG) active participation in the EU Civil Protection Forum, organized by DG ECHO. In collaboration with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Policy Area Secure and the Grande Microregion Civil Protection Working Group, PA5 hosted a booth and organized a session on regional cooperation in disaster management. This event facilitated strategic discussions and highlighted the role of regional efforts in supporting the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. PA5 continued to update its contact list of Steering Group (SG) members and managed communication with the SG through written procedures. During this period, five new articles were published on the PA5 website, and cooperation with DSP remained as strong as in previous reporting periods. PA5's efforts under Specific Objective 2 (SO2) focused on advancing disaster management policies and fostering regional cooperation. The DMWG played a central role in these efforts, aligning its activities with the DMWG Roadmap of Action 3 milestones. Another important achievement was the invitation to DMWG members to form a partnership and apply for funding through the Danube Region Program's 2nd Call. This initiative aimed at developing a project centered on Integrated Disaster Management in the Danube Region, with active participation from most DMWG members. Additionally, PA5 played a crucial role in developing the InDiMaND (Integrated Disaster Management Network in the Danube Region) project proposal for the INTERREG Danube Region Programme. The project seeks to establish a unified disaster management framework that addresses the diverse conditions across Danube countries, focusing on community engagement, cross-border information sharing, and the integration of advanced technologies. PA5 also made substantial progress under Activity 4.1, which centers on supporting the development, capitalization, and networking of ongoing macro-regional projects. PA5 provided continuous expert support and maintained active cooperation with projects associated with the DMWG, ensuring that they align with broader regional goals and objectives. During the reporting period of 1 July to 31 December 2024, the partners made significant progress in advancing the objectives of Priority Area 5 (PA5) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). Focusing on water management, disaster resilience, and climate adaptation, PA5 activities included governance, policy development, stakeholder cooperation, and project support. These efforts highlighted a comprehensive approach to addressing environmental risks and strengthening collaboration across the Danube Region. During the reporting period, the PA5 achieved significant milestones across its key objectives. Under Specific Objective 1 (SO1), PA5 ensured effective governance and coordination by organizing the 25th and 26th Steering Group (SG) meetings in Bucharest and Budapest. These gatherings facilitated high-level discussions on flagship projects such as SAFETY4TMF, STOPFIRES, and SpongeCity, and reinforced partnerships with international organizations, including the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). PA5 also advanced regional cooperation through a consultation meeting in Belgrade (November 27-28, 2024), integrating EU and accession countries into discussions on disaster and water management. Visibility efforts, including renewing promotional materials and active participation in events, further elevated PA5’s profile and stakeholder engagement. Under Specific Objective 2 (SO2), PA5 focused on advancing water management practices in the Danube Region. Support for the ICPDR Drought Overview Report was a key achievement, providing actionable recommendations for strengthening resilience against drought risks. Discussions emphasized nature-based solutions, the harmonization of water management strategies, and the promotion of innovative tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and preparedness. Serbian stakeholders actively engaged in regional water management initiatives, fostering cross-border cooperation and aligning practices with EU standards. In line with Specific Objective 3 (SO3), PA5 strengthened stakeholder cooperation through participation in key EUSDR events, such as the PAC meeting in September and the NC-PAC meeting in December. The II. Danube Rope Rescue Contest, supported by PA5, exemplified international collaboration, bringing teams together to share expertise and enhance disaster preparedness. Additionally, collaboration with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) advanced joint approaches to disaster preparedness and shared risks. Under Specific Objective 4 (SO4), PA5 supported the development and capitalization of transnational projects, including SAFETY4TMF, SpongeCity, and RESTORIVER, focusing on flood and drought mitigation and climate adaptation. The ministry issued Letters of Recommendation for the HOME-DANUBE and PREPARED projects and a Letter of Merit for STOPFIRES, advancing initiatives that address critical environmental and disaster risks. Furthermore, MFAT facilitated stakeholder access to funding opportunities such as INTERREG and LIFE programs, enabling sustainable impact and fostering cross-border collaboration. Through these diverse efforts, the partners reinforced PA5’s role as a pivotal actor in the Danube Region. The ministry’s contributions in governance, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and project support not only addressed immediate environmental risks but also laid the foundation for long-term resilience and sustainable development, aligning with the strategic goals of the EUSDR. These activities highlight PA5's commitment to fostering cooperation, promoting innovation, and building capacity across both EU and accession countries. During the reporting period, PA5 actively contributed to activities under all four Specific Objectives (SO1–SO4), ensuring consistent progress and alignment with the overall goals of EUSDR Priority Area 5 (PA5). Under SO1, PA5 played a central role in coordination and governance, including preparation and active participation in the 27th Steering Group Meeting held in Tulcea, Romania. PA5 contributed to agenda development, presented ongoing activities and policy linkages, and updated stakeholder and deliverables lists. In parallel, PA5 supported the renewal of the EUSDR PA5 website, keeping contact lists and communication elements up to date and ensuring timely visibility actions in line with D.1.2.2. Under SO2, PA5 promoted disaster management cooperation with non-EU countries, aligned with the 2025 Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A key achievement was the thematic workshop “Stronger Together – Enhancing Regional Cooperation in the Danube Basin” on 3 April 2025 in Mostar, jointly organized with PA10. The event gathered over 80 stakeholders from across the region to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk management and water governance. PA5 presented core initiatives and emphasized integrating non-EU partners into water management, flood protection, and disaster risk frameworks. These actions directly contributed to D.1.4.2 and A.2.1 by reinforcing synergies and extending outreach beyond the EU. Within Activity 2.2, PA5 advanced contributions to regional water management policy in four areas. The preparation of the flood and ice forecasting recommendation (D.2.2.3) progressed through coordination with ICPDR and DAFF partners, with the next forum scheduled for autumn 2025. PA5 also joined the ICPDR drought prioritization meeting (D.2.2.5), proposing an autumn follow-up. Work advanced on a joint policy paper on nature-based solutions (D.2.2.8), while participation in ICPDR expert groups (D.2.2.10) ensured policy alignment on flood risk and river basin management. These efforts reinforced PA5’s role in basin-wide strategic cooperation. PA5 also supported internal policy dialogue and ensured continued dissemination of EU-aligned approaches within the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG), which remains a central coordination platform under PA5. Under SO3, PA5 coordinated a DMWG working visit to Split’s firefighter training ground in Croatia. The activity enabled exchange on wildfire response, training standards, and capacity building, directly linked to SAFETY4TMF and STOPFIRES projects. PA5 also maintained cooperation with ICPDR through EG meetings, fostering synergies in environmental and disaster risk governance. Representation at EUSDR-level events (e.g. PAC, NC-PAC meetings) further enhanced strategic alignment. For SO4, PA5 represented the Priority Area at the INTERREG Danube Region Programme Lead Partner Seminar in Bucharest, facilitating project synergies and capitalization. PA5 also actively participated in the InDiMaND 1st Planning Workshop, where the Hungarian co-coordinator opened the event and underlined PA5’s role in shaping disaster risk management goals. The workshop supported WP clarification, strengthened cooperation among partners, and emphasized project alignment with DMWG priorities. These contributions ensured PA5’s strategic aims were embedded in project implementation and supported enhanced project pipelines and funding relevance across the region. Through these multifaceted contributions across all four Specific Objectives, PA5 reaffirmed its commitment to advancing integrated water management and flood protection as core priorities under EUSDR PA5. By complementing these efforts with strengthened cooperation in disaster risk reduction and civil protection, PA5 played a key role in building a more resilient and better-connected Danube Region. These activities laid the groundwork for continued alignment between policy, practice, and funding, ensuring that PA5 remains strategically positioned to address environmental and risk-related challenges in the macro-region.