Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EcoDaLLi (ECOsystem-based governance with DAnube lighthouse Living Lab for sustainable Innovation processes)
Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30
The 2030 & 2050 Green Deal goals push EU towards integrated solutions & clear targets. EcoDaLLi, embedded in the Mission 'Restore our Ocean, seas & waters by 2030' will help achieve freshwater targets of European Green Deal, integrating a systemic approach for restoration, protection & preservation for the entire Danube Basin, provided by coordinated actions.
The main objective of EcoDaLLi is to centralise Danube governance structures in terms of innovative solutions for improved ecological restoration, protection and preservation of the Danube basin and its Delta by fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem within a well-connected Practices Living Lab System, supported by a digital Portal, completly linked to the Mission Implementation Platform.
Innovative solutions open new opportunities for better water restoration, taking into consideration social innovation aspects, reducing climate change effects and reducing also costs. An improved governance at Danube Basin level, based on dedicated EcoDaLLi tools will foster such innovative solutions, change mindsets on water ecosystems restoration and climate change and develop value chains based on ecosystem services. This will contribute to the decarbonisation
goal of Green Deal, cleaner water, improved state of the environment, land creation of jobs in sensitive areas along the basin, especially in the Danube Delta.
EcoDaLLi will support innovators connect to governance structures, 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.
The main objective of EcoDaLLi is to centralise Danube governance structures in terms of innovative solutions for improved ecological restoration, protection and preservation of the Danube basin and its Delta by fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem within a well-connected Practices Living Lab System, supported by a digital Portal, completly linked to the Mission Implementation Platform.
Innovative solutions open new opportunities for better water restoration, taking into consideration social innovation aspects, reducing climate change effects and reducing also costs. An improved governance at Danube Basin level, based on dedicated EcoDaLLi tools will foster such innovative solutions, change mindsets on water ecosystems restoration and climate change and develop value chains based on ecosystem services. This will contribute to the decarbonisation
goal of Green Deal, cleaner water, improved state of the environment, land creation of jobs in sensitive areas along the basin, especially in the Danube Delta.
EcoDaLLi will support innovators connect to governance structures, 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.
EcoDaLLi has successfully established and launched its Living Lab system, engaging 535 stakeholders in co-creating solutions for improving water management, biodiversity protection, and climate change adaptation in the Danube River Basin. The Living Labs also explore their potential as a governance tool within the basin. Four workshops, addressing local and regional challenges in water quality, biodiversity, climate change, and the circular/blue economy, were organized across the four Danube units. These workshops provided the foundation for discussions within the Living Labs. The Danube Practices Living Lab system was developed as a tool to capture stakeholder engagement and perspectives on topics related to the Mission Ocean's objectives, particularly wetland restoration. A methodology for assessing Mission-relevant Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) was developed to support innovation developers and policymakers in implementing and scaling innovative NBS projects. A baseline analysis of NBS best practices and innovative ecosystem-based practices was conducted, with the results made available in dedicated catalogues to guide and inform stakeholders. The EcoDaLLi portal, designed to serve as the main repository for all project results, provides a space for stakeholders and citizens to access and benefit from EcoDaLLi’s work. Additionally, EcoDaLLi has actively collaborated with the Innovation Action projects of the Lighthouse, involving them in its Living Labs and establishing the Danube Lighthouse Roadmap. This roadmap includes dedicated Task Forces that foster cooperation and joint initiatives.
In the second project period, EcoDaLLi has successfully collected a list of policy recommendations for NBS implementation. These recommendations provide insights for regional and national authorities, supporting the integration of NBS into policy frameworks. Additionally, a shared vision on spatial policies for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity was developed and a collection of recommendations for innovation potential, innovation upscaling and citizen engagement techniques was elaborated providing an in-depth analysis of observed practices, barriers, and enabling factors across the Danube region. The testing of the Practice Living Lab System was completed and its results evaluated, resulting in the final engagement questionnaire for stakeholders and citizens to support the design phase of Living Labs in stakeholder identification, engagement strategy development, and support for cross-project innovation coordination. Furthermore, a training session was conducted that provided valuable insights and practical knowledge to innovation actors, helping them navigate the complexities of innovation within the Danube River Basin. More training sessions will follow, focusing on the assessed needs of innovators in the region.
In the second project period, EcoDaLLi has successfully collected a list of policy recommendations for NBS implementation. These recommendations provide insights for regional and national authorities, supporting the integration of NBS into policy frameworks. Additionally, a shared vision on spatial policies for the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity was developed and a collection of recommendations for innovation potential, innovation upscaling and citizen engagement techniques was elaborated providing an in-depth analysis of observed practices, barriers, and enabling factors across the Danube region. The testing of the Practice Living Lab System was completed and its results evaluated, resulting in the final engagement questionnaire for stakeholders and citizens to support the design phase of Living Labs in stakeholder identification, engagement strategy development, and support for cross-project innovation coordination. Furthermore, a training session was conducted that provided valuable insights and practical knowledge to innovation actors, helping them navigate the complexities of innovation within the Danube River Basin. More training sessions will follow, focusing on the assessed needs of innovators in the region.
EcoDaLLi has developed an accessible, practical methodology for NBS assessment, aimed at driving the implementation of innovative NBS at local and regional levels. The EcoDaLLi best practice catalogues serve as a knowledge base and source of inspiration for innovators and policymakers committed to protecting and restoring the Danube River Basin. Building on this work EcoDaLLi delivered policy recommendations for NBS implementation, validated through a series of workshops across the Danube units. The Workshops were organized, engaging a total of 210 participants and successfully engaged stakeholders across the Danube Basin, leading to refined policy recommendations and practical strategies for NBS implementation. At this stage, the project has laid a solid foundation for local, regional, and basin-wide cooperation through the establishment of its Living Lab system and the creation of the Danube Practices Living Lab System, a tool designed to capture stakeholder engagement and perspectives on key topics related to Mission Ocean’s objectives, particularly the protection and restoration of the Danube River Basin. As a conclusion of the Living Lab events a Living Lab roadmap is in preparation. Moving forward, EcoDaLLi will continue to actively engage stakeholders in developing an enhanced governance and innovation ecosystem within the Danube River Basin, providing trainings, supporting the successful development, transfer, and scaling of innovative solutions.