iNNOvative SEDiment management in the Danube River Basin

The Danube River Basin (DRB) faces significant challenges associated with river sediments. In the 2021 update of the Danube River

Basin Management Plan, sediment balance alteration emerged as a new sub-topic within the existing Significant Water Management

Issue titled "Hydromorphological alterations." Additionally, sectors like industry, urban sewage, and agriculture call for sediment quality

evaluations throughout the DRB. However, the absence of standard sediment monitoring limits our understanding of risks. Addressing

the sediment mismanagement in the DRB, the iNNO SED project aims to establish the Danube Sediment ‘Lighthouse’ Knowledge

Centre. This centre will: • Introduce a set of innovative methods for monitoring and modelling sediment quantity and quality, thereby

deepening our knowledge of sediment processes. • Provide innovative sediment management practices to improve sediment continuity

and quality in DRB sections facing with sediment-related issues. • Showcase co-created innovative measures through demonstration

activities, while also evaluating their socio-economic and environmental aspects. • Empower the public with innovative knowledge

transfer methodologies. • Collaborate with five Associated Regions, transferring the iNNO SED solutions to other river basins. To

accomplish these goals, iNNO SED will leverage the achievements and key contributors of the DanubeSediment and SIMONA initiatives.

Moreover, it will engage relevant stakeholders of sediment management, such as ICPDR, policy makers, river managers, hydropower

plant managers, waterway authorities, national parks, environmental agencies, SMEs, and more. iNNO SED will represent a pioneering

approach to sediment management in large international river basins. This approach sets an example for other major global river

systems like the Amazon, Mekong, or Niger. In doing so, it aligns with the Mission's objective of intensifying the European Union's competitiveness.