DANube SEdiment Restoration: towards the deployment and upscaling of sustainable management of the sediments across the Danube catchment basin

Programme: HORIZON EUROPE

Total budget: 9.148.028,75 EUR

CEKOM's budget: 123.312,50 EUR

Co-financing rate: 100%

DANSER represents a multidisciplinary holistic and scientific based approach focused on the Danube River basin, a vital yet sensitive ecosystem facing climate change and human impacts. DANSER addresses pressing sediment management needs in the Danube River ecosystem, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and aligning with EU policies and directives. Especially attaining the core guidelines of the Danube Sediments Management Guidance.

DANSER delivers a pilot phase and envisages the deployment phase, with a strong emphasis on demonstrating active and passive innovative solutions, such as a) spatio-temporal mapping of natural and anthropogenic fluvial processes, b) sediment transport modelling, (c) sediment dating by radionuclide and radiometric methods, d) historical pollution analysis (e) geophysical survey and 3D historical reconstruction of the demonstration sites, (f) river-groundwater dynamics and pollution transport modelling, (g) river processes forecast simulations based on historical and active processes, (h) sediment budget analysis based on sedimentation measuring stations, UAV and bathymetry surveys, (i) water levels and quality monitoring and analysis j) river-side arm hydrotechnical connectivity interventions, (k) stakeholder-engaged sediment parametric evaluation and co management and (l) Nature based solutions for biodiversity characterization monitoring and improvement.

DANSER proactively forms a transnational sediment working group, collaborates with related institutions, and connects with local communities and engages citizens through participatory tools. DANSER seeks to restore sediment balance, improve sediment flow and quality, characterize pollution transfer mechanisms and integrate such actions and knowledge with partners from the European Union and beyond, while stimulating local and regional economies. DANSER will significantly contribute to creating a sustainable and harmonious relationship between people and the Danube.