During the event, the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (UNIZAG FSB) presented the EcoDaLLi project in Croatian, and the Mission Charter was introduced to interested stakeholders, outlining ways to engage and support the Mission’s goals.
The workshop was organised within the A-AAGORA – Atlantic Arctic Agora and SoS2LearnDBS events, supporting the promotion of opportunities and connecting students, educators, and stakeholders around real EU impact.

Many thanks to UNIZAG FSB for hosting this workshop and promoting the Mission Charter!

Innovative Governance for Water Resilience

The afternoon of EFRWS25 was dedicated to EU-funded innovation on water governance and resilience. It started with WATERUN, which presented the research findings of the Policy Brief on the policy and regulatory framework for Urban Water Runoff. It was followed by a session of the WaterGovernance 2027 Synergy Group of the Horizon Europe projects InnWater, GOVAQUA and RETOUCH NEXUS, to explore how economic instruments and governance innovations can support the implementation of the EU Water Resilience Strategy, bringing together regulators, policymakers, NGOs and stakeholders.

Leveraging Economics for Water Resilience 

For setting the scene the EU Water Resilience Strategy was introduced, pointing out that water-related inequalities can harm economic, social, and territorial cohesion within the EU, underlining the need for increased investment in sustainable water management and innovation. After that the the three Horizon Europe projects – InnWater, GOVAQUA and RETOUCH NEXUS – provided the key messages of the  actionable and complementary solutions to strengthen the economic aspects of water management, which their projects have developed.

Panel discussuion: sharing the perspective of the Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse

A moderated panel discussion, in which EcoDaLLi’s coordinator Verena Höhn participated, further reflected on how participatory and cross‑sector governance approaches can improve the economic sustainability of water systems and help translate EU policy objectives into effective, investment‑ready solutions at regional and local levels. EcoDaLLi contributed perspectives from the Danube River Basin Lighthouse, highlighting the added value of participatory and ecosystem-based governance models for fostering resilient water management solutions and the importance of coordinating decision‑making across basin, national and local level, strengthening the role of Living Labs as spaces for co‑creation, and linking restoration measures with economic benefits.

Access the recording of the complete session here!

A special highlight was the session “Harnessing the Resource Potential of Our Seas, Waters, and Rivers in a Sustainable Manner”, organized by Prof. Hrvoje Mikulčić and Dr. Filip Jurić. It focused on the transformative role of Blue Energy in the sustainable energy transition and its alignment with the EU Mission to Restore Our Oceans and Waters.

More on all sessions of the SDEWES Centre Conference can be found HERE.

Preservation of Durmitor National Park and the Tara River

The first panel discussion dedicated to the preservation of Durmitor National Park and the Tara River was attended by numerous representatives of state institutions and bodies, with special emphasis placed on illegal construction as one of the greatest current threats to the conservation of protected areas. The second panel was dedicated to previous experiences, as well as examples of good practices from the region, the EU, and the field. Experiences and examples of good practices in nature protection were presented by Hrvoje Mikulčić from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb, and Draško Boljević, Director of the Eco Fund of Montenegro.

The panel concluded with the message that only through a responsible and coordinated approach by all relevant institutions, local communities, and partners is it possible to preserve Durmitor, the Tara River, and other national parks.

Deepening Mission Adoption – Achievements of the Mission Ocean so far

The conference featured a dedicated session titled “Deepening Mission Adoption – Achievements of the Mission Ocean so far”, where each Lighthouse CSA, including the EcoDaLLi project, presented their progress, challenges, and future strategies and addressed audience questions in the following panel discussion.

Strategic Roadmap to guide the Mission’s 2nd Phase

Participants included EU Commissioners, Mission Board Members, national ministers, and mission project coordinators, all contributing to the co-creation of a Strategic Roadmap that will guide the Mission’s deployment phase. The event underscored the importance of mission-driven governance, science-policy integration, and multi-level stakeholder engagement to ensure the long-term health and resilience of Europe’s oceans and waters.

Spotlight on other Danube and Black Sea Lighthouse projects

DaWetRest coordinator Ekaterina Batchvarova from the Climate, Atmosphere and Waters Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences presented the project during the workshop “Scaling Impact – Knowledge and Solutions for Mission Ocean and Waters Implementation”. That session brought together experts to share practical insights for scaling Mission Ocean and Waters solutions across Europe. It focused on replicable successes – from technical innovations and nature-based solutions to governance, community tools, and social innovations. From DaWetRest Associated Partner University of Pannonia, Viktoria Czuppon and Viola Somogyi presented their work on citizen science during the conference.

As the Mission moves into its critical implementation phase, the Danish Presidency’s conference marked a pivotal moment for aligning policy, innovation, and community action across Europe’s diverse aquatic landscapes.

Highlighting Mission Progress and Achievements

The Forum opened with high-level speeches, including remarks from European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, who emphasized the importance of a robust monitoring system to effectively measure progress. She stressed the need to strengthen methodologies for tracking impact across Mission-funded projects to ensure meaningful advancements towards the overarching goals.

The first panel session focused on the progress and key achievements of the Mission, where Nadja Schlichenmaier from Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (SEZ), coordinator of EcoDaLLi, highlighted not only the project’s contributions but also the broader progress of the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse in supporting the Mission’s objectives. The presentation addressed advancements in governance frameworks, research and innovation, and stakeholder engagement, illustrating how the Lighthouse approach fosters cross-regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Following this discussion, the next panel addressed the topic of protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems, featuring insights from DALIA Danube Lighthouse. The session examined ongoing restoration initiatives, the role of nature-based solutions (NBS), and strategies for improving ecosystem resilience in response to environmental pressures.

A Dedicated Exhibition Showcasing Mission Impact

In parallel to the discussions, the Mission Forum exhibition area allowed participants to explore tangible results from various projects. The Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse was represented at a joint booth, providing visitors with an overview of ongoing initiatives and innovative approaches in the region.

The booth, coordinated by EcoDaLLi, featured on-site materials, including:

• A plastic upcycling exhibit, demonstrating circular economy approaches for reducing pollution.
• A sediment monitoring tower, where visitors could experiment with sediment samples to understand grain size estimation methods.
• Replicas of the REXDAN research vessel, showcasing one of the most advanced research vessels in Europe, central to the SUNDANSE project.
• A children’s book titled “Lau Laughs Again”, which introduces young readers to the ecosystems of the Danube River and fosters environmental awareness.

In addition, a digital exhibition provided interactive access to project resources, including videos and key findings from the Lighthouse projects. EcoDaLLi presented its roadmap as outcome of the four Living Lab events in 2024. It also featured an interactive puzzle game about the Danube River and its countries, designed to engage visitors in learning more about the region’s biodiversity and cultural significance.

EcoDaLLi, as Coordination and Support Action (CSA) of the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse, brought together all Innovation Actions (IAs) of the Lighthouse, such as:

• DANUBE4all: Focused on sustainable Danube River management.
• DALIA Danube Lighthouse: Driving innovation for a thriving Danube ecosystem.
• DaWetRest: Dedicated to Danube wetlands restoration.
• Restore4Life: Revitalizing aquatic ecosystems for a sustainable future.
• SUNDANSE: Dedicated to developing  sustainable sediment management solutions related to the Danube – Black sea system.
• iNNO SED: Addressing sediment management challenges in the Danube.
• DANSER: Promoting sustainable navigation and ecosystem services.

Find more information about the Lighthouse here.

Cross-Lighthouse Collaboration and Thematic Workshops

Throughout the week, several key workshops complemented the discussions at the Mission Forum.

The week started on Monday, 3 March 2025 with two essential workshops, both aimed at strengthening the enabling conditions for Mission projects:

• Harmonizing KPIs and Approaches: This workshop focused on the development of a joint Mission Ocean and Waters monitoring framework, ensuring that data collection, reporting, and evaluation methods across Mission projects are aligned. Representatives from different Lighthouses discussed ways to improve comparability, scalability, and impact tracking, which will be essential for measuring long-term success.
• Support an Enabling Environment: This session explored the business models, regulatory frameworks, and financial ecosystems that can support the scaling up of sustainable blue initiatives. Discussions covered the role of private investment, public funding mechanisms, and policy instruments in accelerating progress towards the Mission’s goals.

On Wednesday, the „Exploring Wavelengths“ workshop examined collaborative approaches for strengthening water resilience, with a focus on multi-stakeholder engagement. This session emphasized the need for integrated water governance, leveraging digital tools, and nature-based solutions to address climate-related challenges in aquatic ecosystems.

On Thursday, 6 March 2025, the workshop on “Transferring Knowledge & Innovation to Decision-Making” took place, organized by EcoDaLLi partner ACTeon environment. The session focused on strategies to bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that scientific advancements are effectively integrated into decision-making processes. As part of the workshop, Nadja Schlichenmaier from SEZ presented an overview of innovative solutions in the Danube Region, categorizing approaches into technological, financial, governance, and social innovations. She also discussed the enabling environment for implementation, addressing regulatory frameworks, investment opportunities, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.

On Friday, 7 March 2025, the week concluded with the Cross-Lighthouse Synergies workshop, which attracted a strong attendance of 50 participants – a significant number given the intensive schedule of the European Ocean Days. The discussion underscored the importance of scaling up collaboration across the four Lighthouses of the Mission. EcoDaLLi’s presentation focused on:

• Building bridges between projects and stakeholders to enhance knowledge transfer.
• A systemic approach for nature-based solutions (NBS) in river and coastal restoration.
• Fostering a strong innovation ecosystem within the Danube & Black Sea region.
• Enabling cross-fertilization of ideas and best practices to maximize impact.

A key moment of the workshop was the presentation of a legacy document, jointly prepared by all Mission Ocean Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs). This document outlines strategic recommendations and future priorities for ensuring the long-term success of Mission projects beyond their current funding period.

Looking Ahead

The Mission Forum 2025 reinforced the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking in achieving the objectives of the Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters. The discussions and workshops highlighted both progress and challenges, setting the stage for the next phase of implementation.

The strong presence of the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse throughout the week showcased the region’s commitment to sustainable water management, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience. Moving forward, the Lighthouse will continue to foster cooperation between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to drive impactful solutions for Europe’s waters.

The first day of the workshop featured thematic inputs on the EUSDR PA8, the Working Group Innovation & Technology Transfer, and the Danube Transfer Centre Network, setting the stage for the event. Participants were introduced to initiatives under the Mission Ocean & Waters, including the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse and EcoDaLLi.

The workshop’s interactive format encouraged participants to actively engage in developing a collective vision for a strong Danube Innovation Ecosystem. The day continued with panel discussions and pitch sessions of the larger conference that offered deeper insights into innovation strategies and fostered collaboration. During networking breaks, attendees had the chance to explore further opportunities through the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse table. The day ended with a vibrant networking reception at the International Donaufest Ulm/Neu-Ulm, where participants continued to build valuable connections.

Day 2 Highlights: Developing a Roadmap for Strengthening the Danube Innovation Ecosystem

The morning began with a keynote from Youssef Zaiter, Ph.D., ACTeon Environment, who highlighted the growing role of private actors, such as SMEs, in driving innovation within the region. Following this, a roundtable session showcased concrete innovations piloted in the region, such as the DANUBE4all, DaWetRest, Restore4Life, and EcoAdvance projects. These discussions underscored the need to connect ecology with economy in both science and practice.

In the afternoon, participants took part in a design sprint where they analyzed the current state of the Danube Innovation Ecosystem and developed actionable ideas to improve it. The session resulted in a comprehensive roadmap, outlining key steps for enhancing innovation transfer and scaling solutions in the Danube region. The workshop was held in a creative and inspiring setting on the 7th floor of IHK Ulm, offering a beautiful view of the city.

An interactive DANUBE4all Project puzzle wall provided participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas and insights during breaks. We extend our gratitude to Danube Region Strategy Priority Area 8, and all contributors for making this workshop a success and for advancing the dialogue on the future of innovation in the Danube Region.

On Day 1, the event opened with welcoming speeches from local political figures and organizers. Andreea Strachinescu from DG Mare highlighted the importance of EU Mission Ocean & Waters in driving climate action across the region. This was followed by a series of engaging panel discussions. The first panel focused on protecting local communities and ecosystems from extreme climate events, emphasizing the need for education, social innovation, and citizen engagement to enhance community resilience.

The second panel centered around the development of climate change mitigation measures. Representatives from Innovation Action projects, including DANUBE4all, showcased their efforts in wetland restoration as a means of carbon sequestration, demonstrating tangible actions towards mitigating the effects of climate change.

On Day 2, despite rainy weather, participants continued their hands-on learning experience with a visit to Kopački Rit National Park, one of Europe’s largest preserved wetland areas. The visit provided valuable insights into sustainable transportation, conservation efforts, and the practical applications of climate change mitigation strategies in real-world settings. The day also featured a visit to the Municipality of Draž, where local community engagement was emphasized as a critical factor in building resilience to climate change.

Throughout the Living Lab, participants had the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions on key challenges and solutions, building synergies across sectors and strengthening the region’s capacity to tackle climate change. The event concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration and the integration of local perspectives into broader climate action plans.

The EcoDaLLi Middle Danube Living Lab was an essential milestone in fostering climate resilience in the Danube River Basin, bringing together stakeholders from diverse sectors to co-create solutions for a sustainable future.

The symposium began with an inspiring opening ceremony, where key speakers, including Andreea Strachinescu from DG Mare of the European Commission, stressed the importance of collaboration for achieving the ambitious goals of the Mission Ocean and Waters. This set the stage for meaningful discussions throughout the event.

The first EcoDaLLi Living Lab session on 14 May 2024, focusing on water systems, was chaired by Mr. Gheorghe Constantin, Deputy General Director for Waters at the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests of Romania. Approximately 100 stakeholders participated in an engaging workshop, where discussions took place in three groups focusing on social, economic, and environmental aspects of water systems. A key takeaway was the need to prioritize the engagement of local communities in water management solutions.

The second EcoDaLLi Living Lab session on 16 May 2024 focused on biodiversity, and was chaired by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority and moderated by Orieta Hulea, General Director of WWF Romania. During the session, representatives from all the Innovation Action projects under the Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse provided comprehensive updates on their contributions to biodiversity preservation. The session highlighted the complementary nature of the projects and the critical need for cross-border cooperation in addressing biodiversity challenges.

A key message that emerged from the discussions was the importance of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and the need for an effective regulatory framework to protect biodiversity in the region. One of the participants from Danube WETlands RESToration aptly summed up the sentiment, saying, „Nature knows no borders,“ reinforcing the need for international collaboration in conservation efforts.

The EcoDaLLi Living Labs demonstrated the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions for water systems and biodiversity conservation in the Danube River Basin. As the discussions progressed, participants were encouraged to continue engaging in future EcoDaLLi initiatives, helping to co-create actionable solutions and promote synergies for the restoration and protection of freshwater ecosystems.

This event also set the stage for the upcoming EcoDaLLi Living Labs on climate change in Croatia (June) and innovation ecosystems in Germany (July). The insights gained will be essential in shaping the future of water systems and biodiversity restoration in the region.

In addition to the forum, the Matchmaking Session on 4th March 2024 played a key role in facilitating the uptake and replication of solutions developed under the Mission. Focused on supporting Mission Charter signatories, the session provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to explore potential collaborations and partnerships.

Throughout the week, several complementary events took place, including a discussion on future priorities for Europe’s seas (6th March), BlueInvest Day (7th March), and the 2nd EU Blue Parks Community workshop (7th March). Additionally, Ocean Literacy in Action on 8th March highlighted the importance of ocean education and public awareness in achieving the Mission’s goals.

The Danube & Black Sea Lighthouse projects were also highlighted during the week. These projects, including EcoDaLLi as CSA and the IAs DANUBE4all, DALIA, DaWetRest, and Restore4Life, play an essential role in the EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030. Through collaboration and innovative approaches, the projects focus on restoring rivers, protecting wetlands, and enhancing biodiversity across the Danube and Black Sea regions.

The European Ocean Days proved to be an excellent opportunity to share insights, forge connections, and work collectively toward a sustainable future for our oceans and waters. The event highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to ensure the success of the Mission Ocean & Waters and the ongoing protection of our planet’s water systems.