Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

Human land-use, control and exploitation interventions severely damage ecological and climate adaptation conditions of riverine landscapes. Regulation of riverbeds, cutting of floodplains and exchange of natural banks and riparian habitats with built surfaces and industrial flow control devices, fatally deteriorate water retention capacities and adversely affect the climate change adaptation potential of these areas and systems. RESTORIVER increases climate adaptation capacities of riversides and riparian areas - potentially reducing risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves - by harmonising, adapting and connecting higher level water management, climate adaptation and flood protection policies with local interventions, effectively serving complex, transnational water and climate adaptation systems and stakeholder networks. To meet these ambitions, the project joins water management, climate and nature conservation policy and knowledge institutions along the Danube and its tributaries, who explore multiple climate-related, social, economic and ecological benefits of natural water-retention measures (NWRM) and target key stumbling blocks of their Danube basin-wide application, identify and design feasible, high impact interventions, and implement pilot actions to test climate resilient approaches with the highest demonstration potential. When identifying pilot locations, preference is given to urban/periurban areas - not only exposed to a higher concentration of users and polluters but also demonstrating positive effects of ecosystem based approaches to citizens, stakeholders, implementers and policymakers, physically connected to these river sections. Activities are upscaled by sharing knowledge, demonstrating benefits of NWRM, formulating recommendations for integrated planning and support decision making processes, as well as by widespread capacity-building, awareness raising and engagement of stakeholders, practitioners and citizens in urban contexts and beyond.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and its project partners (WWF organisations and municipalities from the Danube basin) have initiated the RESTORIVER project to promote climate change adaptation capacities in the Danube Region and disaster management on a transnational level in relation to environmental risks, taking into account ecosystems. The members of the partnership met for the first time in person at the 1st Interregional Partner Workshop in Budapest on 19- 21 March 2024, where they held a kick-off meeting to start the implementation process of the RESTORIVER project, discussed the main thematic activities and the concrete steps to be taken to achieve the project objectives, and took part in a study visit to Érd. Based on the outcomes of this event, the basic methodological documents necessary for achieving the project’s Specific Objectives 1 and 2 could be finalised by the end of the first period. To achieve the objective of Specific Objective 1, regional, national, and macro-regional stakeholders, institutions, and citizens need to be identified and their needs analysed. Based on their needs, further actions can be taken to equip them with an in-depth understanding of NWRM benefits and the practicalities of sustainable water management in solving climate-related challenges with positive socio-economic effects. As a first step in this process, a joint methodology for SO1 processes entitled “Joint methodology for stakeholder analysis, awareness raising, capacity building, information provision, and transfer” was developed by the end of this period. The methodology aims to support the process of stakeholder analysis, awareness raising, capacity building, information provision and transfer on climate change awareness and adaptation skills of riverine and riparian wetland stakeholders. Based on this document, most of the partners started to work on the regional stakeholder needs analysis and citizens' awareness analysis. To achieve Specific Objective 2’, a joint methodology for SO2 processes entitled “Joint methodology for preparing pilots: Co-designing and testing feasible, high-potential NWRM by municipalities and relevant authorities” was developed. It is a supporting document for finding the highest demonstration potential feasible intervention areas, designing measures in pilot locations, including the general public and interested parties/subjects, and assessing and distributing deliverables. The document will guide the works on pilot locations through the NWRM implementation process and what to keep in mind during the individual parts of the project. Moreover, the document discusses stakeholders' & public involvement and project partners' collaboration and knowledge exchange throughout different deliverables of SO1 and SO2. As an integrated part of the SO2 methodology, a Guidance for scoping analysis was also prepared. Throughout the implementation of the project, it is crucial to inform and educate relevant audiences about the importance of healthy and highly adaptive riversides and riparian areas in addressing climate change. It is also important to ensure that all appropriate stakeholders are aware of natural water retention measures (NWRM) and their effectiveness in creating a safe environment for people and ecosystems. As a first step of this process, the project's Communication Strategy has been drafted to define the framework, the methods, and the key messages to inform and educate relevant citizens/stakeholders about the importance of healthy and highly adaptive riversides and riparian areas to climate change and to ensure that appropriate stakeholders are aware of natural water retention measures (NWRM) and their usefulness in achieving such an environment for the safety of people and environments. In addition, the project website has been launched with some news about the RESTORIVER project, and project posters have been created and placed in the PPs’ offices. Some partners have begun actively communicating with their stakeholders. In Croatia, an event featuring an educational game for children was organised, and a project was also presented in a workshop organised in Ruse by the Bulgarian office of the World Bank in Bulgaria. Cooperation with an influencer team started in Hungary to engage citizens in project goals. The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and its project partners have initiated the RESTORIVER project to promote climate change adaptation capacities in the Danube Region and disaster management on a transnational level in relation to environmental risks, taking into account ecosystems. The members of the partnership, the ASPs and key stakeholders met for the first time in person at the 1st Interregional Partner Workshop in Budapest on 19- 21 March 2024, where they held a kick-off meeting to start the implementation process of the RESTORIVER project and 2nd time on 7-8 October 2024 in Sombor. As a first step to achieve the objective of Specific Objective 1, a joint methodology for SO1 processes entitled “Joint methodology for stakeholder analysis, awareness raising, capacity building, information provision, and transfer” was developed by the end of 1st period. Following the instructions of this document, the partners conducted surveys on NWRM among their stakeholders and citizens to identify their needs, knowledge gaps, trust shortages and potential to improve acceptance. These results were summarized in a “Stakeholder analysis” and “Analysis of citizen awareness”, both documents were created for all project regions (except the stakeholder analyses for HU). Based on the results of these thematic surveys, partners started to organize different events to engage stakeholders and citizens in the project and to improve their capacities and knowledge. In total, 8 events for stakeholder engagement and capacity building of stakeholders, and 2 events for citizens involvement were organized so far in Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine. To achieve Specific Objective 2’, a joint methodology for SO2 processes entitled “Joint methodology for preparing pilots, including also a Guidance for scoping analysis” was developed by the end of 1st semester. Based on its instructions, project partners began the search for intervention areas with the highest demonstration potential and developed feasible measures in pilot locations, involving key stakeholders and the public in the process. Each piloting partner started preparing their scoping analyses on at least two levels: A (pilot site), B (city), and in certain cases on C level (regional/national) to show possibilities of replicability and scalability of their pilot projects. The research on A and B levels has been completed by the end of 2nd semester for Slovakia and Croatia. Hungary has elaborated the drafts for levels A and B, and Serbia has prepared Scoping level A. Project partners also implemented preparatory steps, such as requesting permits and launching public procurements, which are important precursors to the works on pilot locations. They also engaged stakeholders in preparatory measures, with meetings held in most pilot locations. Partners from the same country collaborate closely and exchange knowledge regularly through regular country meetings and working groups’ meetings. In the 2nd period, partners started the preparatory actions to achieve Specific Objective 3. They aimed to create a stronger policy foundation for integrating NWRM into climate adaptation strategies and water management practices, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience at multiple governance levels. To achieve this, PPs focused on reviewing and updating the Policy Matrix for their respective countries. The finalized list of documents will serve as a basis for the comparative policy analysis starting in July 2025. Throughout the implementation of the project, it is crucial to inform and educate relevant audiences about the importance of healthy and highly adaptive riversides and riparian areas in addressing climate change. As a first step of this process, the project's Communication Strategy has been drafted by the end of 1st semester. In addition, the project website has been launched with some news about the RESTORIVER project, and project posters have been created and placed in the PPs’ offices. The project partners carried out an extensive online and offline campaign in the 2nd semester to promote the project and improve the visibility of its results among stakeholders, citizens, and policymakers. Hundreds of stakeholders were interviewed, and thousands of citizens were reached via questionnaires and various events organized by the partnership. The project was also represented at more than 10 events in order to promote the project and to share knowledge with other projects. The partnership is very active on their social media channels and websites, and numerous articles have also been published in local online and offline media, too. The RESTORIVER project, launched in January 2024, brings together 15 partners and 13 associated partners from 9 Danube Region countries to make riverside areas more resilient to floods, droughts, and heatwaves through nature-based water retention measures (NWRM). These solutions restore natural processes like floodplain reconnection and riparian vegetation, offering ecological and social benefits beyond traditional infrastructure. What We Have Achieved So Far The partnership met for the first time in person at the 1st Interregional Partner Workshop in Budapest in March 2024, where they held a kick-off meeting. The project focuses on three specific objectives: 1) Raising awareness and building capacity for NWRM (SO1) A Joint methodology for stakeholder analysis, awareness raising, capacity building, information provision, and transfer was developed early in the project and used to identify key actors. Following the instructions of this document, the partners conducted surveys on NWRM among their stakeholders and citizens to identify their needs, knowledge gaps, trust shortages and potential to improve acceptance. These results were summarized in a “Stakeholder analysis” and “Analysis of citizen awareness”, both documents were created for all project regions. Based on the results of these thematic surveys, partners organized stakeholder involvement actions and citizen engagement events to engage stakeholders and citizens in the project and to improve their capacities and knowledge, including Danube Day celebrations, biodiversity festivals, and thematic workshops—reaching hundreds of professionals and over 4,000 citizens. Capacity building advanced with 7 interactive workshops and the first Peer Review Visit in Slovakia, combining site visits, expert discussions, and networking. These activities empower municipalities, NGOs, and local authorities to integrate NWRM into water and land-use planning. 2) Preparing and launching pilot interventions (SO2) At the beginning of the project, a “Joint methodology for preparing pilots, including also a Guidance for scoping analysis” was developed. Based on its instructions, project partners began the search for intervention areas with the highest demonstration potential and developed feasible measures in pilot locations, involving key stakeholders and the public in the process. RESTORIVER will implement six pilot actions demonstrating NWRM in real settings. The scoping studies were completed or are near finalization in most countries. Permitting and procurement have started, though delays occurred due to legal and administrative complexity. Examples: - Slovakia: Detailed hydrological modelling for the Foki Side Arm; stakeholder consultations ongoing. - Croatia: Procurement for Maksimir Park pilot underway. - Serbia: Works permit requested; procurement for Dondo Side Arm restoration expected soon. - Hungary: Stakeholder engagement completed; hydrological models prepared. - Bulgaria: Pilot concept revised to focus on rainwater retention and biodiversity-friendly solutions due to local constraints. - Romania: Authorization process ongoing; works scheduled for 2025. These pilots will provide evidence-based solutions transferable across the Danube Region. Stakeholders were engaged from the beginning with meetings held in most pilot locations. The pilots will be completed by the end of the project. 3) Linking practice to policy for long-term impact (SO3) Although major activities will happen later, preparations have begun. The Policy Matrix was updated to include current regulations, and a working group was formed to guide comparative policy analysis and future recommendations. This ensures RESTORIVER lessons influence EU, national, and local climate and water policies. Communication and Public Engagement Communication and visibility efforts continued to play a significant role in the project. The communication strategy was implemented through extensive online and offline activities, including a consistent social media presence, website updates, and media outreach. Partners launched national campaigns and produced promotional materials. Highlights included an influencer-driven drought awareness campaign in Hungary (reaching over 230,000 viewers), a media field trip in Slovakia for journalists, and several media mentions in PP’s countries. RESTORIVER was also presented at international conferences and synergy events such as the Cities Forum 2025 in Krakow and the EUSDR PA5 Steering Group meeting. The cooperation within RESTORIVER has added significant value by enabling the exchange of expertise, harmonizing approaches, and fostering mutual learning. Partners have shared technical solutions, policy insights, and engagement strategies, accelerating progress and ensuring the replicability of successful measures across the Danube Region.

Project outputs: Project partners and associated strategic partners cooperating formally across borders(EN)
Implementation of co-designed, feasible, high impact natural water-retention interventions including small scale field measures with the highest demonstration potential, concluded in pilot reports(EN)
Solutions tested and validated via pilot actions during the project, potentially transferable to 3rd parties facing similar riverside restoration challenges and sharing interest in NWRM(EN)

Thematic information

Managing natural and man-made threats, risk management Waste and pollution Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-B_D_2) Priority 2 - A greener, low- carbon Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 058 Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: floods and landslides (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches)

Partners (15)

Lead Partner: Българско дружество за защита на птиците

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 121244539

Address: Yavorov district bl., 1111 Sofia, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://bspb.org/en/

Total budget: EUR 298 968.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 239 174.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 793.60

Contractors:

Name: HBH STRATEGIA ES FEJLESZTES
VAT registration or tax identification number: HU10412426

Громадська спілка «Всесвітній Фонд природи Україна»

Name: Громадська спілка «Всесвітній Фонд природи Україна»

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PIC 897693679

Address: Okipnoi Str. , 02002 Kyiv, Ukraine

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://wwf.ua/

Total budget: EUR 85 280.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 68 224.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 17 056.00

Svetska organizacija za prirodu Adria - Srbija

Name: Svetska organizacija za prirodu Adria - Srbija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 109334092

Address: Djure Jakšića street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.wwfadria.org/sr/

Total budget: EUR 91 840.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 73 472.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 368.00

Országos Vízügyi Főigazgatóság

Name: Országos Vízügyi Főigazgatóság

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15796019241

Address: Márvány utca, 1012 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://ovf.hu/

Total budget: EUR 82 210.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 65 768.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 442.00

Grad Sombor

Name: Grad Sombor

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100123258

Address: Trg cara Urosa , 25101 Sombor, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.sombor.rs

Total budget: EUR 154 272.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 123 418.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 854.50

Contractors:

Name: STAMPARIJA PRINTAX SOMBOR
VAT registration or tax identification number: 109182534
Name: PU CBC CLUSTER SOMBOR
VAT registration or tax identification number: 112065218
Name: GEOCENTAR
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105183909
Name: Strategija & Tim
VAT registration or tax identification number: 108856700
Name: Miross Agency
VAT registration or tax identification number: 100048877

Societatea Ornitologică Română (SOR)

Name: Societatea Ornitologică Română (SOR)

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO 5272804

Address: Hristo Botev street, 030167 Bucharest, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.sor.ro

Total budget: EUR 114 428.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 91 543.04

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 885.76

Unitatea Administrativ Teritoriala Municipiul Tulcea

Name: Unitatea Administrativ Teritoriala Municipiul Tulcea

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4321429

Address: Păcii street, 820033 Tulcea, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.primariatulcea.ro/

Total budget: EUR 175 180.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 140 144.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 036.00

Община Русе / Obshtina Ruse

Name: Община Русе / Obshtina Ruse

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000530632

Address: Svoboda street, 7000 Ruse, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://obshtinaruse.bg/

Total budget: EUR 142 814.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 114 251.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 28 562.88

Contractors:

Name: DMI Development EOOD
VAT registration or tax identification number: BG201557566
Name: Top design BG EOOD
VAT registration or tax identification number: BG206698628

Érd Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata

Name: Érd Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15731254-2-13

Address: Alsó utca, 2030 Érd, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.erd.hu/

Total budget: EUR 113 751.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 91 001.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 750.30

WWF Világ Természeti Alap Magyarország Alapítvány

Name: WWF Világ Természeti Alap Magyarország Alapítvány

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 18226814-2-42

Address: Álmos vezér útja, 1141 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://wwf.hu/en/kezdooldal/

Total budget: EUR 237 560.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 190 048.32

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 47 512.08

Výskumný ústav vodného hospodárstva

Name: Výskumný ústav vodného hospodárstva

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2020798593

Address: Nabr. arm. gen. Svobodu street, 812 49 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://www.vuvh.sk/

Total budget: EUR 170 621.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 496.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 124.20

Contractors:

Name: BODNÁRIK, Geodet
VAT registration or tax identification number: 55987010
Name: SHMÚ
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00156884

WWF Slovensko

Name: WWF Slovensko

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 52204430

Address: Medena street, 81102 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://slovakia.panda.org/

Total budget: EUR 285 532.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 228 425.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 57 106.40

Contractors:

Name: DHI SLOVAKIA, s.k.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: SK2020240134

WWF Adria - Udruga za zaštitu prirode i očuvanje biološke raznolikosti

Name: WWF Adria - Udruga za zaštitu prirode i očuvanje biološke raznolikosti

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR92278052107

Address: Gundulićeva street, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.wwfadria.org/

Total budget: EUR 220 515.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 176 412.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 44 103.10

Contractors:

Name: Zale d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 18014250751
Name: Elytron
VAT registration or tax identification number: n/a

Javna ustanova Maksimir za upravljanje zaštićenim područjima Grada Zagreba

Name: Javna ustanova Maksimir za upravljanje zaštićenim područjima Grada Zagreba

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR78356795960

Address: Maksimirski perivoj, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://park-maksimir.hr

Total budget: EUR 173 206.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 138 565.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 641.30

Administrația Națională ”Apele Române”

Name: Administrația Națională ”Apele Române”

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 24326056

Address: Edgar Quinet, 010018 Bucharest, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.rowater.ro

Total budget: EUR 66 475.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 53 180.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 13 295.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Public Union World Wide Fund for Nature Ukraine

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

World Wide Fund for Nature Adria - Serbia

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Országos Vízügyi Főigazgatóság

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

City of Sombor

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Romanian Ornithological Society

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Tulcea Municipality

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Ruse Municipality

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Érd Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Hungary

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Water Research Institute

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

WWF Slovakia

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

WWF Adria – Association for protection of nature and conservation of biological diversity

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Public Institution Maksimir

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

National Administration ”Romanian Waters”

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds

Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

Project acronym: RESTORIVER

Project ID: DRP0200419

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Danube Floodplain - Reducing the flood risk through floodplain restoration along the Danube River and tributaries (EN) | The project's main objective is improving transnational water management and flood risk prevention while maximising benefits for biodiversity conservation. The expected change was improved knowledge among the countries located within DRB, related to integrative water management through the restoration of floodplains, combination of classical and green infrastructure, and natural retention measures involving all related stakeholders.
Key outcomes of the project most relevant for RESTORIVER include:
# Updating the floodplain areas inventory and their ranking using the Floodplain Evaluation Matrix-FEM;
# Assessing the efficiency of floodplain projects in the Danube region by using the pre-selected pilot areas
# Developing tools for increasing the knowledge and cooperation of experts, practitioners, decision-makers and stakeholders on floodplain restoration.
# Danube basin-wide floodplain restoration and preservation manual
# DRB Sustainable Floodplain Management Strategic Guidance
# DRB Roadmap comprising agreed-on next steps towards realising floodplain projects. (EN), CAMARO – D - Cooperating towards Advanced MAnagement ROutines for land use impacts on the water regime in the Danube river basin (EN) | The project's main objectives were the sustainable protection of water resources and enhanced flood risk prevention for safeguarding urbanised areas through sustainable land use practices fostering the improvement of infiltration and water storage, as well as mitigation of erosion and floods.
Key outcomes of the project most relevant for RESTORIVER include:
# A transnational catchment-based "Land Use Development Plan" (LUDP) for adequate coordination and harmonisation of different function-oriented sustainable land use management activities. This new planning instrument provides the initial action to set framework conditions for transnational catchment-based cooperation. It should therefore be integrated into existing River Basin Management Plans. Its operational implementation was initiated and tested within different Pilot Actions and Pilot Areas.
# An innovative transnational guidance for sustainable land use planning (GUIDR) was developed as a practically oriented decision support tool for the relevant stakeholders and decision-makers (EN), DriDanube - Drought Risk in the Danube Region (EN) | Currently, drought management is reactive, dealing mainly with losses and damages. Cooperation between crucial actors is missing, and formal legislation mainly does not exist. Conversely, the proactive approach counts on drought prevention, mitigation, vulnerability reduction, planning and preparedness. Hence, the focus shifts from recovery to protection, i.e., crisis management to risk management.
The main objective of the DriDanube project was to increase the capacity of the Danube region to manage drought-related risks. The project aimed at helping all stakeholders involved in drought management become more efficient during drought emergency response and prepare better for the next drought.
Key outcomes of the project most relevant for RESTORIVER include:
# Drought User Service (Draught Watch), enabling more accurate and efficient drought monitoring and timely early warning.
# Harmonisation of the currently heterogeneous methodologies for risk and impact assessments
# An improved decision-making process in all parts of the drought management cycle
# A stakeholder list
# The Danube Drought Strategy (EN), IDES - Improving water quality in the Danube river and its tributaries by integrative floodplain management based on Ecosystem Services (EN) | IDES - Improving water quality in the Danube river and its tributaries by integrative floodplain management based on Ecosystem Services
Floodplains are subject to multiple human uses, which strongly affect the water quality of rivers. So far, these uses were sectorally managed (e.g. flood retention, nature conservation, agriculture), rarely regarding water quality and interactions between sectors. The DTP-Danube Floodplain Project (DFP) links attempted to improve flood retention and restoration, while water quality was not yet in focus. IDES project therefore aimed to add water quality targets to this effort and enhance water quality by developing integrative floodplain management based on Ecosystem Services (ES).
A key outcome of the project highly relevant for RESTORIVER was the IDES tool, enabling the national key actors in water quality management to identify the most sustainable measures without neglecting the needs of other sectors. The innovative IDES tool provided an ecosystem service assessment for floodplains that supported sustainable decision-making in floodplain management, both in pilot areas and on the transnational level. (EN), JOINTISZA - Strengthening cooperation between river basin management planning and flood risk prevention to enhance the status of waters of the Tisza River Basin (EN) | The project focused on the interaction of two critical aspects of water management - river basin management (RBM) and flood protection - while considering the relevant stakeholders who play a pivotal role in the Tisza RBM planning process.
Pilot actions, focusing on urban hydrology management and drought management, enabled involved actors to develop new unprecedented approaches in a comparable environment and contributed with their outcomes to the updated management plan.
A key outcome of the project highly relevant for RESTORIVER was the Methodology in Urban Hydrology for Middle-Sized Cities in CEE Based on the Reference Sites. (EN), Danube4All - Restoration of the Danube River Basin Waters for Ecosystems and People from Mountains to Coast (Horizon Europe) (EN) | The overall aim of ongoing DANUBE4all is the development of a comprehensive Restoration Action Plan for the DRB lighthouse developed in an unprecedented co-creation process with stakeholders, integrating citizens’ interests to support the Mission “Restore our ocean and waters by 2030”. Tction Plan will promote the improvement of ecological status, biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity. Developing and implementing innovative “Win-Win Nature Based Solutions” will simultaneously lead to an enhanced free-flowing status of rivers and floodplains, flood and drought risk reduction and enhancement of sediment and biota continuity. The aim is to adapt to climate change and improve the endangered biodiversity of ecosystems. This will be reached by identifying, processing and upscaling effective and economically profitable restoration measures. DANUBE4all will implement innovative demonstration activities at three sites along the Danube. DANUBE4all will link ecological and economic benefits, and will deliver innovative tools to accelerate citizens’ and stakeholders’ engagement. DANUBE4all will provide GIS and Citizen Science tools for upscaling these restoration actions via ten Synergy Sites to the Danube Basin. It will also transfer the outcomes to five Associated Regions by concrete steps towards developing Replication Roadmaps for restoration action.
A key outcome of the project highly relevant for RESTORIVER is a river restoration action plan. This will synthesise restoration activities along the Danube on urban and rural river stretches, strongly connecting to the RESTORIVER project. River and floodplain restoration actions will also be prioritised, and aspects of the selection criteria will be jointly discussed with project partners. Discussing these aspects by involving stakeholders is also an activity with synergies with the RESTORIVER project.
WWF-HU (via WWF CEE) and WWF-RO are partners in Danube4all thus ensuring direct connection and mutual benefit. (EN), LIFE21-IPE-SK-LIFE Living Rivers (EN) | The strategic integrated LIFE project is focused on the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) of Slovakia and specifically on the implementation of hydromorphological measures covering lateral connectivity, longitudinal continuity as well as hydrological improvement of rivers to achieve good ecological status. RESTORIVER activities on the Danube river near Bratislava city will be complementary to the project, while they will create important synergies to improve ecological potential of the Danube river water body - having the highest restoration priority in the RBMP. Stakeholder involvement as well as good practices demonstrated in both projects will support the steps for replication of the approaches and public acceptance of NbS in a wider scope, not just on national but also on international level. (EN), DREAM SK-AT - Danube River Research and Management in Slovakia and Austria, Interreg SK-AT, 2016-2022 (EN) | The cross-border project defined problems and possible solutions on the Danube river stretch between Vienna and Bratislava impacted by human alteration of the river, including the upper part of the Gabcikovo reservoir. Numerical models developed via this project will be updated, extended and applied for proposed measures in the former floodplain area where NWRM are to be covered under SO2 of RESTORIVER. (EN), H2020 MERLIN (EN) | MERLIN (Mainstreaming Ecological Restoration of freshwater-related ecosystems in a Landscape context: INnovation, upscaling and transformation) is a research and innovation action project funded by the H2020 programme. It commits to transformative ecosystem restoration, mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions for the urgent systemic change of societies. It will deliver case studies and applicable
restoration good practices focused on streams, rivers, peatlands and wetlands - freshwaters that are ideal demonstrators of the necessary changes.
A key outcome of the project that will be highly relevant for RESTORIVER is the MERLIN online case-study portal, designed to share knowledge of 17 MERLIN case studies, detailing restoration activities, objectives, key stakeholders, Case-Study Impact Assessments, indicators on Green Deal compliance and IUCN Global Standard-based evaluation on the application of Nature-Based Solutions, as well as experiences with NBS mainstreaming into sectoral approaches.
WWF-HU (via WWF CEE) and WWF-RO are partners in MERLIN, thus ensuring direct connection and mutual benefit. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 412 655.60

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 930 124.48

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Joint methodology for SO1 processes
1st Interregional Partner Workshop
Stakeholder analysis
Analysis of citizen awareness
Stakeholder involvement actions
Citizen involvement actions
Processed Stakeholder needs analysis results
Interactive capacity building workshops
Knowledge exchanging peer review visits
Channelized learnings into knowledge hubs
Regional+national communication processes designed
Media appearances, events, involvement campaigns
Representation at professional events
Online knowledge exchange workshops
RESTORIVER Conference
Joint methodology for preparing pilots
Scoping analysis to identify intervention areas
2nd Interregional Partner Workshop
Stakeholder-inclusive preparation of pilots
P1: Restored Danube river bank (SK)
P2: Participative floodplain CCA planning (HU)
P3: Enhanced Maksimir retention capacity (HR)
P4: Revitalised Dondo Sidearm (RS)
P5: Revitalised Prista park riverbank (BG)
P6: Improved CCA capacities of Zaghen area (RO)
Fundraising action plan for spinoff interventions
Pilot reports highlighting relevant learnings
Professional workshops presenting highlights
Joint methodology for policy analysis and dialogue
Comparative analysis of policy environments
(Sub)national policy recommendations
Transnationally relevant policy scenarios
Network of supportive policy makers
National/macroregional policy recommendations
RESTORIVER Takeup Strategy

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion RESTORIVER directly contributes to the EUSDR PA 4, 5 and 6 and indirectly to PA 7 and 10. PA 4 and PA 5 issued their letters of recommendation for RESTORIVER.
# PA4 ACTION 6: Promote establishing and maintaining green infrastructure and natural water retention measures (NWRM) in urban planning.
# PA4 ACTION 7: Enhance cooperation, increase and exchange knowledge and secure financing for water quality measures in the DR.
# PA5 ACTION 5: Facilitate harmonising and coordinating climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies and action plans to boost international collaboration within the DR.
# PA6 ACTION 2: Build capacities of national and local authorities, NGOs, experts and the scientific community in environment-related matters.
# PA7 ACTION 3: To strengthen cooperation among universities, research organisations and SMEs in the DR.
# PA10 ACTION 1: To improve institutional capacities to provide high-quality public services.
The project aligns with these objectives by:
# Testing NbS and NWRM along the Danube and its tributaries as effective tools for climate change adaptation.
# Facilitating knowledge exchange and awareness raising among stakeholders involved in water management, nature conservation, and climate change adaptation.
# Encouraging joint planning of feasible restoration projects incorporating green infrastructure and natural water retention measures.
# Better harmonising local and regional riverside restoration interventions with higher-level water management, flood, drought, and other climate adaptation-related policies.
EuropeanGreenDeal The project contributes to the aims of the European Green Deal, in particular to the following objectives:
# Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity
# A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment
# Accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility
The Green Deal intends to create a toxic-free environment. The EU needs to monitor better, report, prevent and remedy air, water, and soil pollution. The natural functions of ground and surface water must be restored to preserve and restore biodiversity in rivers and wetlands and prevent and limit flood damage.
The objective of preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity highlights the need to provide essential services such as food, fresh water and clean air. Reports show worldwide erosion of biodiversity, caused primarily by changes in how land and sea are used, direct exploitation of natural resources, and with climate change as the third most important driver of biodiversity loss.
The Commission aims to adopt a new strategy for adaptation to climate change, causing significant stress despite the mitigation efforts. Strengthening climate-proofing, resilience building, prevention, and preparedness efforts is crucial. Work on climate adaptation needs to influence public and private investments, including NbS.
RESTORIVER aligns closely with the goals and priorities of the European Green Deal and will contribute to the EU's overarching sustainability and climate objectives by addressing NbS, climate change adaptation, sustainable water management, ecosystem restoration, and knowledge exchange.
TerritorialAgenda2030 RESTORIVER contributes to the Territorial Agenda 2030. The Agenda highlights the need to address the increasing pressure on the environment, and action is needed in the fields of climate change, loss of biodiversity and land consumption and air, soil and water quality. Addressing these challenges calls for place-based responses, cooperation and coordinated policies.
Rapid man-made biodiversity loss poses severe risks to ecosystems. Increasing land use reduces open spaces, biodiversity and fertile soil; at the same time, abandoned, derelict and underused sites offer potential for land-use changes. Air pollution, noise, contaminated soil and polluted ground and surface-water bodies cause serious health problems that can correlate with social inequality and disparities between urban and rural areas.
Therefore, the Agenda calls for a healthy environment. Ecosystems are fundamental, including agricultural, forest, grassland, and freshwater ecosystems. They need to be sustainably accessible to the broader public, well-functioning, resilient, enhanced, and in healthy conditions. This helps mitigate climate change, combat biodiversity loss, ensure ecosystem services provision, and raise public awareness of all the above. The Agenda supports the development of NbS and green and blue infrastructure networks that link ecosystems and protected areas in spatial planning, land management and other policies.
The Agenda also highlights that climate change and a loss of biodiversity risk eroding livelihoods. To increase the resilience of all places impacted by climate change, developing local and regional strategies is needed for climate-neutral towns, cities and regions.
RESTORIVER will contribute to the Territorial Agenda 2030 by increasing climate adaptation capacities of riversides riparian areas and connecting and harmonising local interventions with higher-level water management, climate and flood protection policies and practices.
Other Biodiversity strategy for 2030 + EU Nature Restoration Law (under discussion):
RESTORIVER contributes to the Biodiversity strategy for 2030 and aligns with its objectives of restoring freshwater ecosystems and greening urban and peri-urban areas:
# According to the Biodiversity strategy, at least 25,000 km of rivers will be restored into free-flowing rivers by 2030, including the restoration of floodplains and wetlands. Large-scale river and floodplain restoration investments can provide a significant economic boost, improving water regulation and flood protection.
# Green urban spaces provide a wide range of benefits by reducing air, water and noise pollution, protecting from flooding, droughts and heat waves, and maintaining a connection between humans and nature. The value of green urban spaces for our physical and mental well-being is paramount. Therefore, promoting healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure, and NbS should be systematically integrated into urban planning, including public spaces and infrastructure.
# The EU will integrate policy coherence for sustainable development in all its policies. Particular attention will also be paid to sustainable water resource management, the restoration of degraded land, and the protection and restoration of biodiverse areas with high ecosystem services and climate mitigation potential.
# RESTORIVER targets to increase climate adaptation capacities of riversides riparian areas (reducing the risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves) by connecting and harmonising local interventions with higher-level water management, climate and flood protection policies and practices, effectively serving complex, transnational water and climate adaptation systems and network of stakeholders, practitioners.
RESTORIVER will also contribute to the implementation of the European Nature Restoration Law (currently under discussion), and accordingly to the upcoming national restoration plans to be developed by DRB countries.
Other Danube basin-level and National River Basin and Water Management Plans:
RESTORIVER contributes to Danube basin-level and National River Basin and Water Management Plans in all countries represented in the partnership:
# 3rd Danube River Basin Management Plan of ICPDR
# 3rd River Basin Management Plan for the Danube River Basin 2022 - 2027 for Bulgaria
# Strategy for Water Management in Croatia
# Draft River Basin Management Plan of Croatia for 2022-2027 - also including Flood Risk Management Plan
# Water Policy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with prospects until 2050
# River Basin Management Plan for the Danube 2021-2027, Slovakia
# National Water Strategy of Hungary - Kvassay Jenő Plan
# National River Basin Management Plan of Hungary
# Water Management strategy in the territory of the Republic of Serbia until 2034
# Action plan for the implementation of the Water Management Strategy in Serbia for 2021-2023
# Water Strategy 2050 of Ukraine
# National River Basin Management Plan of Ukraine
The project supports these plans by improving the status of water bodies, involving stakeholders and relevant authorities in increasing climate adaptation capacities and connecting and harmonising local interventions with higher-level water management, climate and flood protection policies and practices. RESTORIVER explores multiple benefits of NWRM and designs and implements pilot actions with a high demonstration potential and outlines future restoration projects or opportunities as well.
Other National, regional or basin-level environmental, climate change adaptation or flood risk management plans, strategies:
RESTORIVER also contributes to national or regional (basin-wide) environmental, climate change adaptation or flood risk management plans or strategies in all participating countries:
# Bulgarian National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change
# Nature Conservation Strategy of the Republic of Croatia
# Strategy for Adaptation To Climate Changes In The Republic Of Croatia
# Management plan for Horticultural Monument Park Maksimir (Zagreb, Croatia)
# Development Plan for the City of Zagreb (Croatia)
# Strategy of the Environmental Policy of the Slovak Republic 2030
# Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic
# Flood Risk Management Plan of Sub-basins of Slovakia
# Nature Conservation Strategy of the Republic of Serbia (2019-2025)
# Low-carbon Development Strategy of Serbia for 2023-2030 with projections until 2050
# Flood Risk Management Plan in the Territory of the Republic of Serbia for 2021-2027
# Nature Protection Programme of the Republic of Serbia
# Flood Risk Management Plan of Romanian Waters
# Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Management Plan (Romania)
# Plan for Prevention, Protection and Mitigation of Flood Effects (Romania)
# Second Climate Change Strategy of Hungary
# Environmental Climate Adaptation Strategy of Ukraine
The project supports these plans or strategies in similar ways as in the case of River Basin and Water Management Plans above. Furthermore, the project upscales the effects of demonstrating the benefits of NWRM/CCA by formulating recommendations for integrated planning and supporting decision-making, capacity-building and awareness-raising of various stakeholders.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Slovensko (SK), Bratislava, Bratislava - Podunajske Biskupice, n/a, 800 00
Hrvatska (HR), Zagreb, Maksimirski perivoj, 1-5, 10000
Serbia (RS), Sombor, Village Bački Monoštor, Land Lot n:7524 CM Backi Monostor, n/a, 25272
Bulgaria (BG), Ruse, identificator 63427.233.8 and 63427.270.4, n/a, 7000
România (RO), Tulcea, East from Orizontului Street - around 200 Hectares, n/a, 820033

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

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Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 139 (99.28%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 382 (102.24%)

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Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region

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Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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