The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters – Ruse is a regional division – a subordinate entity – of the Ministry of Environment and Waters of The Republic of Bulgaria, for the provinces of Razgrad, Ruse and Silistra. It is a state agency that is responsible for the enforcement of ecological and environment and nature protection legislation as also management of protected areas. The inspectorate is also responsible for the control and application of the regulations of the national Protected Areas Act in protected areas other than those exclusive state property.
As the territorial scope of the inspectorate includes a 165 km section of the right bank of the Danube River, some of the river islands and all of the former and present floodplains along the section, wetland restoration and management are an important theme in the work of the agency. Through its participation in the DaWetRest project RIEW-Ruse hopes to achieve and acquire significant improvement of the ways those areas are managed and the available technology.
University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Bulgaria (RUNI) is an accredited state-funded higher education institution, established in 1945, with around 8,000 students and over 350 highly qualified lecturers. It is among the 10 largest universities in Bulgaria and is the largest Bulgarian multi-profile university along the Danube River. The university has extremely strong positions and significant influence in the Bulgarian – Romanian cross-border region along the Danube and in the entire Danube Region.
The broad research profile of the University provides opportunities for research and innovation in the most advanced scientific areas, as well as for participation in thematic networks and authorship developments of key importance for the economy of knowledge on a national and international scale. As part of DaWetRest project, the University of Ruse will work on the restoration and conservation of wetlands along the Danube River and this way will contribute to the long-term protection of natural and cultural heritage of this area.
Scortel Ltd., Bulgarian SME founded in 1992, provides equipment and communication services, software system integration, engineering and consulting services for mobile satellite communications, transport fleet management systems and ITS, marine information systems, maritime navigation, and communication. We are actively engaged in projects related to the monitoring of the condition and protection of the environment in the coastal territories (sea and river), including in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. The accumulated experience encouraged us to join the DaWetRest project, as we believe that this will give us the opportunity to expand our own competences and capabilities. Our participation in the restoration and protection of wetlands through DaWetRest represents for us an excellent opportunity to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and to combating climate change through the application of already established and the development of new innovative solutions to control and manage the condition of wetlands zones. We hope DaWetRest’s long-term legacy for the Danube River and the communities it serves will include advanced models and tools for monitoring and predicting the behaviour of wetlands, as well as models and tools for managing these areas considering the characteristics and interests of communities, which are related to them. SCORTEL will make maximum efforts to achieve the goals of the project.
The Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) was established in 1970 and its main objective is conducting fundamental and applied research for scientific support of the management of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) and other wetland areas of national and international interest, with particular focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. The relevance of DDNI’s research activities for local, regional, national, and international environmental issues is sustained by the Danube Delta’s protection status and the international Conventions and Programmes adopted by Romania. Scientific research is one of the most important components of these conventions, having been defined as one of the main functions of Biosphere Reserves by the MAB-UNESCO program. The research activities of the Danube Delta National Institute are oriented towards achieving the management objectives of the largest protected area in Romania and Europe.
Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests from Romania is the national authority responsible for elaborating policy and strategy in the environment, waters, and forests field. It is engaged in protection and conservation of water and terrestrial biodiversity, and climate changes. It also elaborates the policy and strategy for the protection of Danube River and the Black Sea.
The MEWF obligations under International Convention as International Convention for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and Convention on the Black Sea protection against pollution (Bucharest Convention). The Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forests shall ensure inter-ministerial coordination of the implementation of measures for the protection and conservation of the Danube basin sturgeon developed in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region as well as of the Preservation of Sturgeon Action Plan, as a member of the national implementation structure, developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a national coordinator.
Our aim in this work package is to establish trust in the impact of the project, uphold data precision, comply with Mission Objectives, and encourage replication of best practices. To attain this, we will conduct actions such as identifying stakeholders, develop a baseline and impact assessment, and creating a community of practice with shared interests and expertise.
“GHEORGHE ASACHI” TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF IASI (TUIasi) is classified as a university of advanced research and education having 43 accredited centers and laboratories for scientific research (internationally recognized, ISO 9002). The scientific research, innovation and technology transfer materialized in the last 5 years by taking part in 611 national research grants, 57 international grants, 243 research contracts with industry, publishing 2601 papers in Web of Science journals and registration of 32 patents.
The mission of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is seen as a significant contribution to the sustainable development of society through the internationalization and integration of education, the latest scientific research, and innovative developments, as well as the creation of conditions for comprehensive professional, intellectual, social and creative development of the individual at the highest levels of excellence in the educational and scientific environment. Participation in DaWetRest is useful from the scientific point of view of the implementation of the university’s scientific developments, as well as for the scaling of international scientific and practical cooperation within the EU on the issues of environmental protection, water resources, and recreation. Implementation of the project idea will make it possible to improve the quality and safety of people’s lives in the territories adjacent to the rivers and reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere
The aim of this work package is to oversee the project and guarantee the achievement of its objectives by efficiently managing project activities, ensuring solid contractual, financial, and administrative execution, and monitoring the quality control process. In addiction, it also aims to create a smooth exchange of information between internal and external stakeholders, as well as choose and integrate the Associated Regions.
UPB includes today 15 faculties, one of them is Faculty of Transport which a unique faculty in Romania focused on transport studies. The faculty has four departments: Transport, Traffic and Logistics; Automotive Engineering; Telematics and Electronics for Transport and Railway Vehicles.
UPB had approximative 30.000 students in academic year 2020/2021, included within one of the three studying cycles. Starting from academic year 2005/2006 the study programmes are consistent with the Bologna process. The scientific commitment is confirmed by the graduation of the third cycle, namely that of a PhD Degree, with the length of 3 years (organised in 14 doctoral schools in 19 scientific fields). The strong human resources development for support of scientific research in UPB has been accompanied by a massive research infrastructure, consists of 55 research centres in faculties and two research institutes: CAMPUS – Centre for Advanced Research on Innovative Materials, Products and Processes with 41 laboratories and Research Infrastructure for the Development of Smart Innovative Products, Processes and Services PRECIS with 28 laboratories, where fundamental and innovative research are conducted through collaboration established at institutional level among teams of excellence specialists. The participation of UPB in DaWetRest is most focused on data acquisition and monitoring technologies and could be a real opportunity for our team to test technologies applied in various environments as well as in nature monitoring systems.
GEOSTUD, a dynamic Romanian SME founded in 2001, is deeply committed to environmental stewardship through the application of biological and ecological solutions. Our unwavering commitment to nature and biodiversity, coupled with our drive to restore ecological equilibrium, forms the bedrock of our participation in the DaWetRest project. Recognizing our unique capacity to make substantial contributions, we embraced the responsibility to join this pivotal initiative aimed at restoring and preserving critical wetland ecosystems. With a profound respect for the intrinsic value of nature and its role in maintaining harmony, we find strong alignment between our core values and the DaWetRest project’s objectives. Our organization is poised to deliver substantial impact, fortified by a wealth of experience and expertise. Our engagement in the DaWetRest project aligns seamlessly with our company’s mission to champion environmental well-being. The prospect of actively contributing to the restoration and conservation of wetlands ignites our passion due to the multifaceted positive impact it can yield on ecosystems, communities, and biodiversity. Wetlands, as vital ecosystems, have historically suffered from human intervention, resulting in altered hydrological regimes, vegetation degradation, and the intrusion of non-native plant species. Our organization’s wealth of experience, coupled with a deep understanding of hydrology, climate change, and circular economy principles, equips us to navigate these complex challenges effectively. By undertaking wetland restoration, we seize the opportunity to drive tangible transformations. Our excitement stems from the potential to forge collaborative alliances with project partners, leveraging our expertise to effect enduring positive change in wetland ecosystems, local communities, and the holistic well-being of the Danube River region. The DaWetRest project stands as a pivotal moment to engrave a legacy of lasting significance for the Danube River and the communities it sustains. As an organization deeply committed to environmental preservation, we envision a future shaped by the enduring impact of the project’s restoration efforts. These efforts will reverberate through revitalized wetlands, heightened water quality, and enriched biodiversity—a testament to the intricate interplay of nature’s elements. Our proven track record in addressing ecological complexities enables us to envision a legacy that extends beyond project timelines. This legacy encompasses not only tangible ecological improvements but also a profound sense of renewed connection to nature among local communities. By advancing knowledge of sustainable practices, fostering alliances, and unswervingly upholding conservation, we are poised to set forth a legacy that safeguards the ecological integrity of the Danube River. This legacy, we believe, will inspire and serve as a beacon for other regions to emulate.
The BRGM is France’s public reference institution for Earth Science applications, for the management of surface and subsurface resources and risks. Its activities are geared to scientific research, support to public policy development and international cooperation. It employs over 1000 staff including more than 700 engineers and researchers. They assume the understanding of geological phenomena and associated risks, the developing of new methodologies and techniques, the producing and disseminating data to support the management of soils, subsoils, and their resources and the delivering of the necessary tools for managing soils, subsoils and their resources, preventing risks and pollution and developing climate change policies. As part of the DaWetRest project, BRGM will focus on the issue of carbon flows and sequestration in wetlands of the Danube River and will contribute to assessing the restoration potential of the 4 pilots of the demo sites and 3 sibling sites.
The Institute of Ecology and Geography was established in accordance with the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Moldova “On measures to optimize the infrastructure of the science and innovation sphere” no. 1326 of December 14 2005, by merging the National Institute of Ecology of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Institute of Geography of A.Ş.M. The National Institute of Ecology was established in 1990 based on the Department of Science, Monitoring and Ecological Norms of the Environmental Protection Department, the Forestry and Experimental Station with the Hârbovăţ experimental forest bypass; The technological and design center, the scientific sections of the “Codru” and “Iagorlâc” reserves, the Plant Protection Section in Străşeni, the Pedological Station in Bender. Since 1992, the Institute has been under dual subordination: to the Environmental Protection Department (later – the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources) and, from a methodological point of view to the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.
Established in 2008 as a privately-held company, GGT has consistently provided specialized expertise across a wide array of fields, encompassing environmental engineering (e.g. environmental impact assessments), geology, geotechnics, geophysics, and hydrogeology. These services have spanned across a spectrum of clients, serving both the public and the private sector. Additionally, its portfolio includes flux and transport hydrogeology modelling, which extends to simulations for pollutant dispersion, as well as specialized proficiency in borehole design. In more recent times, the use of multi-spectral and hyper-spectral imaging remote sensing technologies, integrated into space and aerial platforms, has allowed the development of innovative services, covering land use and land cover characterization, assessment of vegetation health, as well as monitoring water quality in inland resources, such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. These capabilities are enhanced by in-situ measurements from sensors and further supported by advanced machine learning algorithms. Participating in DaWetRest presents a distinctive opportunity to actively contribute to the restauration a critical ecosystem, the Danube wetlands, by leveraging these state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies. Furthermore, it affords a valuable prospect of working within a multidisciplinary consortium with extensive expertise spanning various fields, a profound commitment to sustainable development, biodiversity protection, and the long-term preservation of the Danube wetlands. This, in essence, embodies DaWetRest’s legacy for future generations, and being a part of this process is a genuine privilege.
The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is a non-profit, private legal entity of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) which was founded in 1992. The mission of ICCS is to support the deployment, the realization, and the growth of the research priorities of ECE mainly through seeking, pursuing and acquiring research funding via the competitive calls for research proposals that the European Commission has instigated. In turn its purpose has been to build a research personnel base alongside ECE’s faculty to conduct state-of-the-art research and at the same time improve the research laboratory equipment base and infrastructures of the school. Its applications tackle a wide spectrum of knowledge areas and at the same time ICCS encounters the challenge to continuously exploit and promote, in practical manner, several and novel scientific breakthroughs from the very first moment they emerge or happen, but also to keep track of any disruptive change or evolution of whatever can be considered as ‘hot’ technological application domain. The DaWetRest project is quite interesting and offers many opportunities for ICCS since it focuses on climate change and ecosystems preservation via natural based solutions in the context of actual pilot sites.
INOVA+ is a consultancy company that for 25 years has supported the growth of organisations through innovation, international cooperation, digital transformation, and access to funding. In DaWetRest, INOVA+ is taking the lead in coordinating the establishment of a community of practice, identifying user needs and assessing the impact of the project. INOVA+ is responsible for the task of technology benchmarking, searching for projects, initiatives and methodologies that can be useful to maximise the impact and relevance of the DaWetRest project.
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum/Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH (SEZ) contributes its 30 years of experience in innovation consulting and the implementation of European research projects to DaWetRest. SEZ locally supports enterprises on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Furthermore, as the coordinator of the Working Group ‘Innovation and Technology Transfer’ of the EUSDR Priority Area 8, SEZ supports the competitiveness of enterprises in the Danube Region. In this context SEZ initiated the Danube Transfer Centre (DTC) Network, a SME support network, that has 15 DTC partners in 10 countries. Being well connected across Europe but especially in the Danube region, SEZ looks forward to communicating DaWetRest innovations, working on the transformation of the key exploitable innovations into business opportunities, and to create the DaWetRest Community of Practice – a shared space for exchange, discussion, and elaboration of plans among stakeholders of Danube wetlands and flood plains.