On 3 and 4 April 2023, the Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse was officially launched at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania. This major event, co-organised by the European Commission, the Romanian government, and EcoDaLLi, gathered over 200 participants, including high-level policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders committed to supporting the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean, Seas & Waters by 2030’.
A Key Milestone for the Danube Region
The Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse is one of the four lighthouses established under the EU Mission Ocean. It will serve as a regional hub for demonstrating and deploying innovative solutions to restore and protect water ecosystems in the Danube and Black Sea area. As the Coordination and Support Action (CSA) for the Danube, EcoDaLLi plays a central role in fostering cooperation and driving sustainable transformation in the region.
During the opening session, distinguished speakers highlighted the importance of international collaboration for the success of the Mission. Key addresses were delivered by:
• Representatives of the Romanian and Bulgarian governments,
• Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries (via video message),
• Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE),
• Kęstutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General of DG MARE and Mission Manager,
• John Bell, Director at DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and Deputy Mission Manager, and
• Alexandra Bogdan, Romanian Coordinator for the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (CMA), who emphasised the significance of regional cooperation.
A Strong Foundation for Future Collaboration
With the successful launch of the Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse, stakeholders now look ahead to intensive collaboration and implementation efforts. The coming years will focus on:
• Developing and scaling up innovative water management solutions,
• Strengthening governance structures in the Danube region,
• Enhancing regional cooperation to accelerate ecological restoration, and
• Aligning efforts with the European Green Deal’s freshwater objectives.
As part of the EcoDaLLi project, the Lighthouse will help coordinate actions, support knowledge exchange, and integrate innovation ecosystems within the Danube Basin. By providing new tools, digital solutions, and dedicated Living Labs, the initiative will drive forward solutions for water restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
With strong political and scientific backing, the Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse is set to become a model for transnational cooperation in ecosystem restoration.
