Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2026-04-29

Description

Description (EN):

ROBORIVER addresses following COMMON TERRITORIAL CHALLENGES: (1) The Danube environment is facing major impacts from pollution. The Danube environment represents a challenging framework for exploitation of innovative cutting-edge techniques and technologies related to automatic control as it constitutes important resource for food, employment, and economic revenue. This requires development of new methods and solutions for exploration, as well as setting up strong cooperative links among universities, research institutes, local public authorities, SMEs and stakeholders across programme area towards this goal. For these reasons, there is recognized actual derived interest in the development of new skills and competences to support the exploration, observation, sampling, intervention and persistent monitoring of the Danube river quality and protection of environment. (2) Needs for enhancing implementation of activities addressing research, investments and competitiveness of stakeholders up taking innovative technologies of underwater robotics and gaining new skills. Currently, there is no standard method used to sample microplastics from riverine systems. Most microplastic research focuses on quantity, in particular on particle numbers, and composition of microplastics. The complexity of microplastics and the lack of harmonization in sampling methodology make it difficult to compare different studies cited in Innovation technologies and methods of scanning, sampling and monitoring – underwater robotics are addressed to be developed to bear high relevance for the future economic development of programme area and its economic resilience. Better innovation capacities should be crucial to adapt this area to the growing importance of the tertiary, services-oriented sector. As programme area do not equally benefit from research and innovation, knowledge and technology transfer thus remain a critical need. Tackling innovation-related challenges will help to reduce territorial disparities between project’s areas that might otherwise lead to unequal opportunities. (3) Special emphasis is on competitiveness and innovative approaches with deployment and uptake of new technologies of underwater robotics for detecting and sampling microplastics in various Danube riparian environment. (4) Insufficient related human skills development, weak involvement of stakeholders and interrelation of business and the public sector incite clear need for project in field of innovative underwater robotics technologies development and deployment. Within the thematic field of the main project, relevance of the challenges described to the EUSDR action plan: PRIORITY AREA 4: Water quality and PRIORITY AREA 9: People and skills. MAIN OBJECTIVE planned is development of 3 outputs for main project aiming to develop/create of innovation underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution: Output 1. Report on the state of play of innovative pollution monitoring and protection of Danube River, Output 2. Main project work plan and Output 3. Report on funding possibilities. Planned expected results of main project: 1. Build/created and deployed innovative underwater robotics, 2. Newly developed training programme for specific innovative skills. Macro-regional dimension of the project and transboundary impact of its results are the underlining aim of the project and shall be ensured by the composition of the partnership covering all Danube riparian countries and by the transnational character of project outputs, guaranteeing their transferability and adoption in the entire Danube region and beyond, to the entire inland navigation sector, given topic addressed: need for future-looking competences in inland navigation. Plastic waste pollution is transboundary problem which should be solved not on a national level but rather requires transnational cooperation. The approach that will be applied for achieve macro-regional dimensions and impact by ROBORIVER project goes beyond existing practice in the sector, programme area in a way that it takes a cutting-edge approach to the design and use of innovative underwater robotics technologies, using the latest advances in data analysis and sensor technology to monitor and protect Danube environment ecosystem. ROBORIVER has clear macro-regional dimension as outputs addressing development of main project for building underwater robotics for special sampling and monitoring tasks, developing training actions on innovative underwater robotics and performing of joint pilot actions designed for numerous different scenarios. Expected impact on overall improvement of monitoring activities and Danube environmental protection has an inherent transnational nature ensured by the joint approach adopted by project partners coming from all Danube riparian countries in addressing the common issues and challenges of the entire Danube region.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Within 12 months project period all planned activities are successfully jointly implemented. Join collaboration and cooperation of project partners were performed for actions within all activities. Communication was on weekly basis and work was done to continuously contribute to planned project activities. Lead Partner FPZ was responsible for coordination of the project in efficient manner ensuring efficient and reliable management and coordination system. The coordination concerned the implementation of the various components of the project, including its administrative and financial management. WP leaders were designated: LP was responsible for achieving Output 2, PP2 was responsible for achieving Output 3, and PP3 was responsible for achieving Output 1. The ROBORIVER work plan was clear, feasible, and logically structured over 12 months, with each activity aligned to partner expertise and supported by appropriate resources. Human resources were sufficient and well allocated, each partner committed skilled staff. Joint implementation led to achievement of all planned tasks and delivery of all planned deliverables: D.1.1.1 Analysis of innovative cutting-edge technologies deployment for monitoring of Danube River pollution, D.1.2.1 Target groups mapping, D.2.1.1 Work plan, D.2.2.1 Potential project partnership and indicative budget plan for the main project, D.3.1.1 Report on analysis of funding sources for the main project and D.3.2.1 Road map of next steps. LP organized Kick-off meeting in Zagreb, Croatia at LP’s premises on December 3, 2024 and participated on Meeting in Constanta, Romania hosted by PP2 at PP2’s premises on May 15, 2025. Recognized and demonstrated target groups are successfully contacted and reached: Local public authority (18 in total), Higher education and research organisations (26 in total), Business support organisation (10 in total), National public authority (46 in total), International organisation, EEIG (8 in total), Interest groups including NGOs (21 in total). The survey gathered 41 responses from six countries: HR (14), RO (13), ME (11), SK (1), the NL (1), and RS (1), covering authorities, international organisations, NGOs, higher education institutions, and business support organisations.

Thematic information

Social inclusion and equal opportunities Waste and pollution Knowledge and technology transfer

Priority: (VI-B_D_4) Priority 4 - A better cooperation governance in the Danube Region

Priority specific objective: ISO6.4. Enhance institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement macro-regional strategies and sea-basin strategies, as well as other territorial strategies (all strands)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 171 Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: Sveučilište u Zagrebu Fakultet prometnih znanosti

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 25410051374

Department: Department of Water Transport

Address: Vukelićeva, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Borongajska cesta , 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.fpz.unizg.hr

Total budget: EUR 29 999.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 23 999.36

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 5 999.84

Javna ustanova Univerzitet Crne Gore

Name: Javna ustanova Univerzitet Crne Gore

Department: Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 30/31-039516

Address: Cetinjska, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Department address: Put I Bokeljske brigade, 85331 Kotor, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me

Total budget: EUR 9 996.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 7 996.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 1 999.20

Centrul Român pentru Pregătirea și Perfecționarea Personalului din Transporturi Navale

Name: Centrul Român pentru Pregătirea și Perfecționarea Personalului din Transporturi Navale

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO24153621

Address: Pescarilor , 900581 Constanta, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: http://www.ceronav.ro

Total budget: EUR 22 498.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 17 998.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 4 499.60

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

University of Montenegro

Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Partners and Projects info

Centrul Roman pentru Pregatirea si Perfectionarea Personalului din Transporturi Navale

Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Partners and Projects info

University of Zagreb Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences

Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Project acronym: ROBORIVER

Project ID: DRP0400899

Project start date: 2024-09-01

Project end date: 2025-08-31

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 62 493.20

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 49 994.56

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:

Analysis of innovative cutting-edge technologies deployment for monitoring of Danube river pollution
Target groups mapping
Work plan
Potential project partnership and indicative budget plan for the main project
Report on analysis of funding sources for the main project
Road map of next steps

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion ROBORIVER is fully in line with Pillar 2:Protecting the environment, PA 4: Water quality as develops main project which will be focused on developing innovative autonomous system for monitoring of Danube pollution deriving from microplastics (EU priority substances) in line with EU Water Framework Directive. Newly developed underwater robotics will new sampling procedures and techniques in numerous different conditions in all Danube riparian countries contributing to preventing water pollution by detecting pollution sources. Also, as a output of ROBORIVER gaps in Danube pollution monitoring procedures will be analysed and as a result of these findings main project work plan will be delivered. Also, ROBORIVER will develop main project work plan including development of new training programme for underwater robotics deployment which is planned to be accredited thus contributing to capacity building in monitoring of Microplastics substances pollution. This activity is in line with Action 1: Hazardous and emerging substances.
ROBORIVER is fully in line with Pillar 3: Building prosperity, PA 9: People and skills as ROBORIVER develops project idea and application contributing to improved skills and competences in the field of innovative robotics systems for deployment on Danube river. ROBORIVER partnership contribute to closer cooperation between training and research institutions in field of environment protection. Within planned main project work plan as achieved Output 2. developing specific skills for smart specialization will be one of core activities. Smart specialization as innovative approach aims to boost growth and jobs in the field of underwater robotics, river monitoring and protection, newly developed methods and methodologies of river pollution detection. ROBORIVER brings together local authorities, academia, businesses and civil society, working for the joint Danube programme area research and deployment of new underwater robotics training.
EuropeanGreenDeal The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives aimed at putting the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It supports the transformation of the EU into a just and prosperous society with a modern and competitive economy. Through its dissemination activities, ROBORIVER project will contribute to European Green Deal synergy by developing innovative methodologies of monitoring of Danube river environment (microplastics pollution) by innovative underwater robotics and related skills development. ROBORIVER will raise awareness of the need to work with nature to protect our planet and our health. This will help to achieve the goals of biodiversity protection and a fair and healthy food system.
Other HORIZON Europe Strategic Plan (2021-2024) - One of the key strategic orientations for investment targeting identified in the first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan is to accelerate and manage the digital and green transformation through people-centred technologies and innovation, sustainable management of natural resources to ensure clean and healthy environment, and the empowerment of all citizens to act in the context of the green and digital transformation. This strategy also identifies the European co-funded and co-programmed partnerships. For the project partners, the most interesting partnerships are in the cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Areas of intervention: environmental observation and seas, oceans and inland waters. In addition to the strategic priorities already mentioned, to which ROBORIVER will contribute, it will also contribute to research and innovation under the Restore our Ocean and Waters mission, which aims to protect and restore the health of our oceans and waters by 2030 through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investment, as all life on Earth depends on a healthy ocean and clean waters. ROBORIVER project in which main project will be prepared aimed on innovation innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube River pollution, is fully in line with HORIZON 2020.

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

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-04

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

138 / 138 (100%)

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

1 431 / 1 431 (100%)

Notes on the data

Potential discrepancies with some project budgets, are being verified.

Languages

Contact Form

Innovative underwater robotics for monitoring and protection of Danube river pollution

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Disclaimer