The Danube Lighthouse is one of the four Lighthouses within the Mission Ocean & Waters. It currently includes eight projects: EcoDaLLi as Coordination and Support Action (CSA) and seven Innovation Actions (IAs): DANUBE4all, DALIA, DaWetRest, Restore4Life, SUNDANSE, iNNO SED and DANSER.
Focus on Freshwater
DANUBE4all is an EU-funded Lighthouse project aimed at restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Danube River Basin through the development of an integrated, comprehensive Danube River Basin Restoration Action Plan. DANUBE4all constitutes an unprecedented co-creation process between scientists, researchers, SMEs, investors, public bodies, policymakers, and local communities.
DALIA is a Danube Lighthouse Innovation Action focusing on the Danube Floodplain area. 22 partners are working on 9 demo sites along the Danube to develop innovative freshwater solutions, improve water ecosystems, and facilitate decision-making on water management issues.
Focus on Wetlands
DaWetRest aims to develop and demonstrate concrete solutions applied in the Danube basin, to address the challenges faced by its inland and coastal wetland ecosystems. Through 3 demonstrators, these transformative and innovative solutions will be validated by local communities, stakeholders and ‚associated regions‘, resulting in recommendations and new actions needed to improve the Danube wetlands, floodplains, coastal wetlands and salt marshes.
Restore4Life showcases the remarkable socio-economic benefits derived from a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to restoring freshwater and coastal wetlands in the Danube basin. By creating new blue-green infrastructure that bolsters regional climate change resilience and mitigation efforts, Restore4Life paves the way for a sustainable future.
Focus on Sediments
SUNDANSE will conduct a survey of the configuration and dynamics of the Danube River via REXDAN, the newest and most advanced research vessel in Europe. With this, among other benefits, a complete map of the main characteristics of the Danube River from Vienna to the Black Sea will be gained and a Sediment Management Handbook for the Danube River basin, including intervention strategies will be created.
The iNNO SED project aims to launch the Danube Sediment ‘Lighthouse’ Knowledge Centre and to develop a Sediment Management Toolbox. These will boost our understanding of problems related to sediment quantity and quality, and will foster innovative solutions. By collaborating with stakeholders and Associated Regions, iNNO SED will also serve as a model for global river systems.
Focus on fish habitat
DANUBElifelines (DLL) is a Horizon Europe research and innovation project contributing to the protection of migratory fish species and freshwater connectivity in the Danube River Basin. Working with partners from 11 European countries, the project focuses on generating knowledge, assessing pressures on river connectivity, and supporting coordinated approaches to river restoration.
Across eight demonstration sites on rivers including the Danube, Inn, Ipoly, Pielach, Rába and Sava, DLL develops and tests replicable approaches, tools and models that can support future freshwater restoration efforts and inform action across Europe.
Danube Lighthouse Area
