On 22 August 2023, EcoDaLLi hosted its second stakeholder engagement workshop at the BOKU River Lab in Vienna, Austria, as part of the 30th Danube Conference on Hydrology. Organised by ICLEI Europe and the Association of Danube River Municipalities (ADRM) „Danube“, the event gathered stakeholders from research institutions, businesses, academia, government, and civil society to explore strategies for protecting and restoring the Upper Danube region.
Workshop Objectives and Key Discussions
The workshop, titled „Restore our Ocean and Waters – EcoDaLLi Stakeholders Workshop on Innovative Solutions for Improved Upper Danube Protection, Restoration and Spatial Governance“, focused on:
• Identifying challenges, gaps, and interlinkages in local and regional Upper Danube restoration strategies
• Aligning actions with the EU Mission Ocean and Mission Charter target for 2030: restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems
• Strengthening governance to support the implementation of the Danube Lighthouse
• Integrating ecosystem-based approaches into spatial policies
• Endorsing the Mission Charter through collaborative exercises
Expert Insights and Keynote Speakers
The session opened with a welcome address from Dr. Nadja Schlichenmaier, project coordinator, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (SEZ), followed by a presentation on the EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030 framework and an overview of EcoDaLLi’s strategic work on the Danube Lighthouse.
A keynote speech by Dr. Isin Can Traunmüller, Coordinator for Funding and Research Projects at the City of Linz Magistrate for Planning, Technology, and Environment, provided insights into city-river interactions, challenges, and sustainable actions undertaken by Linz.
Thematic Working Groups and Key Outcomes
Moderated by ICLEI Europe, ADRM, and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, participants were divided into three thematic groups to discuss key aspects of Upper Danube restoration:
• Biodiversity and Resilience – Addressing ecosystem-based solutions, cross-border cooperation, and balancing conservation with urban and industrial development
• Water Quality – Examining pollution sources, water monitoring, sustainable management, and cross-sector collaboration
• Circular and Blue Economy – Exploring sustainable business models, impact measurement, policy frameworks, and innovation potential
The workshop highlighted existing challenges and opportunities for innovation in regional policy frameworks, offering concrete recommendations for strengthening collaboration, governance, and ecosystem restoration.
Looking Ahead
This second stakeholder workshop built on the success of the first event in Tulcea, Romania, as part of a broader series targeting different spatial dimensions of the Danube region. Future workshops will continue to shape innovative governance approaches, policy alignment, and stakeholder engagement across the Danube Lighthouse initiative.
