Workpackages

Within the framework of the “Restore our Ocean and Waters” Mission, DANSER aims to restore and sustainably manage sediment balance and water/groundwater quality in the Danube River Basin. The project seeks to improve critical ecological factors through multidisciplinary approaches, involving engaged stakeholders in monitoring, modelling, restoration measures, and the development of result-oriented decision-making tools.
Project Management
The National Institute for Research and Development of the Danube Delta (DDNI) aims to conduct scientific research and projects focused on studying and preserving the Danube Delta ecosystem, always seeking the integration of science and environmental management to ensure the region’s sustainability. 
 
Objectives: 
Effective management: Ensure that the contractual, financial, and administrative aspects of the projects are well-managed and that activities meet quality standards. 
Scientific and technical planning: Ensure that the scientific and technical plan is executed properly, with a focus on the desired outcomes. 
Risk management: Identify and address any risks that may arise during the project execution, finding solutions or ways to mitigate them. 
Data management and quality: Ensure proper data management and that the results obtained are relevant, reliable, and of good quality. 
 
These objectives aim to ensure that projects are well-organized, efficiently executed, and deliver tangible results for the study of the Danube Delta area. 
 
Leader: DDNI 
Sediment Management Framework & Regulatory Compliance
This workpackage focuses on establishing a clear framework for assessing the current state (baseline) of the Danube Delta’s sediment-related issues. It aims to ensure that all activities are aligned with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Danube Sediments Management Plan, creating a structured approach to sediment management and compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
 
Objectives:
Data collection and relevance: Guide both technical and non-technical data collection, ensuring that the information gathered is relevant and useful for the project.
Replicating best practices: Assist in replicating best practices and guidelines for implementation across the DEMOS and associated regions.
Feeding WP7: Provide evidence-based methodologies for assessing the project’s impact and offer terms of reference for Phase 2 of the project.
 
The goal of this work package is to ensure a strong foundation for understanding sediment issues, aligning with important regulations, and supporting the project’s long-term success across multiple regions.
 
Leader: GEOS 
Sediment Demonstration Sites PreparationFramework & Regulatory Compliance
This workpackage focuses on the preparation of all necessary data, tools, and strategies needed for the demonstration (DEMO) activities. It involves gathering existing data, setting up systems for data sharing, designing software architectures, and planning monitoring and modelling strategies to support research activities and ensure the successful deployment of innovative solutions.
 
Objectives:
 
Data collection and preparation: Gather and organize existing data for use in the DEMOs and the development of tools in WP4 and WP5.
Software architecture and mapping tools: Define the relevant software setup and create maps and mapping tools to support the DEMOs and analytical activities.
Monitoring and modelling planning: Plan how to implement monitoring and modelling strategies across the DEMOs and research activities.
Fieldwork optimization: Review and optimize fieldwork plans to ensure data collection is maximized and results are accurate.
 
The main goal of this work package is to ensure that the necessary knowledge, data, and tools are ready and well-organized for the DEMOs, enabling the effective implementation of monitoring, modelling, and innovative solutions throughout the project.  


Leader: PLUS

Demonstration Sites Implementation

This workpackage focuses on the practical implementation of sustainable sediment management practices through demonstration sites. It involves testing, piloting, and refining activities aimed at restoring and managing sediment balance in the Danube region. The goal is to acquire valuable data, learn from experiences, and lay the groundwork for scaling up successful practices across other regions.

Objectives:

  • Testing and piloting activities: Carry out activities related to testing and piloting sediment management practices at the demonstration sites.
  • Sediment balance and alluvia processes: Collect strong evidence and gain experience related to sediment balance and sediment transport processes (alluvia).
  • Integrate findings into tools: Combine the findings from the DEMOs and integrate them into analytical tools to enhance decision-making and future planning.

The main goal of WP4 is to put into practice sediment management strategies, gather data through real-world testing, and create a solid foundation for applying successful methods in other areas.

Leader: DDNI

Sediments Characterization

This work package is focused on the detailed study and characterization of sediment balance and the associated ecosystem services. It involves processing data on sedimentation, transport, and riverbed changes, understanding the dynamics of the river-aquifer system, and monitoring biodiversity, all to improve sediment management and provide scientific knowledge for decision-making.

Objectives:

  • Processing sediment data: Analyse raw data about sedimentation, erosion, sediment transport, and the changes in river and canal bed configurations.
  • Biodiversity monitoring: Characterize biodiversity at the pilot sites, particularly focusing on the relationship between sediments and biodiversity, and set up monitoring systems.
  • Support knowledge and policy: Collect solid, reliable scientific and practical knowledge to inform technical reports and policy advice on sediment management.

The main goal of WP5 is to develop a deep understanding of sediment processes, their impact on biodiversity, and the crucial ecosystem services they provide, while generating reliable data to guide technical and policy decisions.

Leader: RGN

Sediments Management

This work package focuses on consolidating and interpreting the data from earlier research and using that knowledge to improve sediment management practices. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current sediment-related issues in the demonstration areas, including the impact of human activities, and to define appropriate actions for mitigating and recovering from sediment imbalances. Additionally, it contributes to long-term impact assessments and the alignment of management practices with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and river basin management plans.

Objectives:

  • Consolidate and interpret data: Combine and analyse the monitoring data from WP3 to WP5 to understand sediment imbalances and interpret the results improving understanding.
  • Report on sediment knowledge: Provide a report detailing improved knowledge of sediment characteristics, based on the evidence and insights gained from the research.
  • Develop and promote impact assessments: Establish periodic and systematic assessments to evaluate the impacts of the project both during and after its implementation.

The main goal of WP6 is to enhance sediment management strategies by analysing data, understanding the causes of sediment imbalances, and developing mitigation and recovery measures that align with relevant regulations, while ensuring continuous impact assessments.

Leader: GEKOM

Scale of Sediment Management Solutions

This workpackage is focused on scaling up successful sediment management practices across the Danube Basin and beyond. It involves promoting the replication of innovative solutions, such as nature-based solutions (NbS) and digital tools, while also engaging stakeholders to maximize the impact of these approaches. Additionally, it aims to identify and build upon key results that can be exploited for wider use in sediment management.

Objectives:

  • Vision for upscaling: Develop a clear vision for scaling sediment monitoring and restoration efforts across the entire Danube Basin.
  • Promote replication of solutions: Explore and promote the potential to replicate several innovative solutions, including nature-based solutions (NbS), digital tools, and engaging approaches.
  • Analyse exploitable results: Analyse the key results that can be exploited or applied more broadly and use them to enhance future sediment management practices.

The goal of WP7 is to expand successful sediment management strategies across a broader region, encourage replication of effective solutions, and ensure that the project’s results have long-term, impactful applications in sediment management.

Leader: SPASE

Amplification of Knowledge

This workpackage focuses on communicating the project’s goals, activities, and results to a wide range of stakeholders. It involves creating and executing a communication strategy to ensure that the project’s findings reach relevant communities, such as policymakers, scientists, local communities, and the public. The aim is to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the replication of successful sediment management solutions.

Objectives:

  • Develop communication strategy: Create a comprehensive strategy to raise awareness about the project’s goals, activities, and outcomes among stakeholders like policymakers, scientists, local communities, and the public.
  • Disseminate results: Share the project’s findings with key communities through various appropriate channels and methods.
  • Engage with stakeholders: Actively engage with stakeholders and target audiences to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The goal of WP8 is to ensure that the project’s results are communicated effectively to a wide audience, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the scaling up of successful sediment management solutions.

Leader: INOVA