On 7 June 2023, EcoDaLLi hosted its first stakeholder engagement workshop in Tulcea, Romania, in the framework of the 30th edition of the „Deltas & Wetlands“ Danube Delta National Institute Scientific Event. The event, organised by ICLEI Europe, ADRM, DDNI, and IP Tulcea, marked a significant step in advancing stakeholder collaboration for the restoration of the Danube and Black Sea region under the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean, Seas & Waters by 2030’.

Bringing Together Key Stakeholders

The parallel session „Restore our Ocean and Waters – EcoDaLLi project in the Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse“ gathered experts from research institutions, private companies, academia, local and national government, and civil society. Participants engaged in an interactive working session, discussing gaps, challenges, and opportunities for innovation in the region. The session began with opening remarks by Dr. Iulian Nichersu and an introduction to the EU Restore our Oceans and Waters framework and the EcoDaLLi project, outlining its mission and strategic objectives.

Moderated by ADRM, DDNI, GeoEcoMar, and ICLEI, attendees were divided into three thematic working groups, focusing on:

• Circular and Blue Economy – Discussions centered on expanding the concept of the blue economy, measuring impact, fostering sustainable business models, strengthening collaboration, and aligning policy and legislation to support innovation.
• Water Pollution and Quality – This group identified key challenges in addressing water pollution, highlighting the need for enhanced data analysis, improved waste management practices, sustainable water transportation, and stronger cross-sector collaboration.
• Biodiversity and Resilience – Participants explored nature-based solutions, cross-border cooperation, integrating tourism into biodiversity efforts, strengthening monitoring through citizen science, and balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

The stakeholder engagement workshop was a great success, providing valuable insights for strengthening governance, fostering innovation, and enhancing ecological restoration in the Danube Basin and Black Sea region. The discussions underscored the need for better coordination, policy alignment, and multi-sector collaboration to drive forward the EcoDaLLi project.

As the project progresses, EcoDaLLi will continue to build on these insights through further stakeholder engagement, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and concrete actions to support water restoration and sustainable economic growth in the region.