ECOsystem-based governance with DAnube lighthouse Living Lab for sustainable Innovation processes

As part of the EU mission "Restore our Oceans, seas & waters by 2030", the so called EcoDaLLi project will help to achieve the freshwater targets of the European Green Deal. A systemic approach for restoration, protection and preservation of the entire Danube Basin and its Delta is being developed and guaranteed through coordinated measures.

The lettering of the word EcoDaLLi is crossed by a line that represents the geographical course of the Danube. The line of the Danube starts in the upper left part of the logo and runs almost horizontally above the word ECO. Then the line bends down orthogonally and separates the two words ECO and DALLI, geographically this area corresponds to the course of the Danube through Hungary. Below the word DALLI, the line runs slightly in a semicircle to the right end of the logo, where it ends in the shape of a leaf. The leaf symbolizes the Danube Delta. The spring of the Danube at the upper right end of the line is marked by four circles filled with stylized portraits of individuals. Below, to the left of the word EcoDaLLi, is a stylized fish.
© Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

Logo from EcoDaLLi

 

In front of the picture is an autumnally colored willow bush directly on the sandy bank of the Danube. To the right of the bush, about 10 meters from the shore, one can see a gravel bank over which the Danube water is already flowing in the left part of the picture. In the middle left of the picture you can see the ferryboat, including the guide rope, as well as the parking and the access ramp for the ferry. The opposite riverbank of the Danube is partially secured with blocks. Two buildings and the street can be seen. In the background of the picture, at a distance of about 350 meters, rises the autumnally colored hilly landscape of the Wachau.
© inge Hengl

The main goal of the project, which officially started in January 2023, is to centralize Danube governance structures. It supports innovations for improved ecological restoration, protection and preseration of the Danube Basin and its Delta by fostering a well-connected Living Lab system, supported by a digital portal, completely linked to the EU Missions Implementation Platform.

Photo: Danube near Weissenkirchen (Wachau)

EcoDaLLi will support innovators to connect to governance structures by:

  • providing and maintaining networks,
  • trough dedicated Living Labs for knowledge co-creation,
  • workshops,
  • a custom made digital portal for synergies,
  • and innovation support services, to experiment with new solutions, helping the innovation ecosystem to create circular services towards Sustainable Blue Economy in the Danube Basin and beyond.
A hierarchical project structure of Mission Ocean can be seen. Among other projects, the Danube Lighthouse, which is supported by EcoDaLLi, is subordinate to Mission Ocean.
© Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

Mission Ocean "Restore our Ocean, seas & Waters by 2030" aims to protect and restore the health of our oceans and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investment. The mission will view the oceans and waters as one and play a key role in achieving climate neutrality and restoring nature.

For the implementation of mission Ocean, hydrographic areas in Europe are defined as Lighthouses: Mediterranean Sea, Baltic and North Sea, Danube river basin and Black Sea, as well as Atlantic-Arctic basin. EcoDaLLi acts as a coordination and support project for the DanubeLighthouse within the EU mission Ocean.

In the figure the project structure of Mission Ocean can be seen, in green the Danube Lighthouse as well as the EcoDaLLi project.

The picture shows the Danube in Vienna. In the foreground, you can see the entrance to the lock of the Danube Canal and the quay wall, on which four ducks are sitting. On the quay wall there are approximately five meters high waterstreet lighting, on each sitting a cormorant on top. In the left part of the picture is a speedboat, in the background, about four kilometres away, you can see the skyscrapers of Donaustadt in Vienna, as well as the North Bridge, about one kilometer away.
© Brigitte Tasch

Photo: Danube near Nussdorf (Vienna)

The Danube is the second largest river in Europe after the Volga and drains large parts of central and south-eastern Europe. On its way from the Black Forest towards the Black Sea, it flows through ten countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and the Ukraine) - more than any other river on earth.

The EcoDaLLi project partners come from the Danube bordering states Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, but also from France, Georgia, Greece and Great Britain. They come from administration, universities, the private sector and NGOs.

project duration

01/01/2023 – 06/30/2026

work packages

The EcoDaLLi project is divided into the following work packages:

  • WPT1: Project Management
  • WPT2: Nature based solutions & eco-system connectivity for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
  • WPT3: Innovative practices in spatial policies for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
  • WPT4: Danube river basin Lighthouse governance and networking
  • WPT5: Fostering a strong innovation ecosystem for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
  • WPT6: EcoDaLLi Portal Implementation for better crossfertilisation of achieved results
  • WPT7: Danube Innovation Action Plan
  • WPT8: Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication
Logo from EU
© EU

Total budget of the project

2.68 million euros / Funded by the European Union

Additional information