Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia

Lowering the risk of floods in the Danube basin

Co-financed by the European Regional Development
Fund, the DANUBE FLOODRISK project has introduced
the most cost-effective measures to reduce flood risk
across the region, with large benefits for the rural and
urban environment.
The project brought together scientists, public
servants, NGOs and stakeholders from all the
Danube countries. Together, they developed a
scalable system of flood risk maps for the Danube
floodplains. The project team also introduced a
series of flood mitigation measures, new spatial
development plans and assessment tools for economic development in flood plains. Crucially, their work
has resulted in a heightened awareness of flood risk among key stakeholders, including the general public.
The Danube is one of the most important natural axes in South-East Europe, linking most countries in the
region. The catastrophic flood events 2006 revealed for the first time how vulnerable it is to extreme
natural events. In addition, the recent increase in industrial and urban settlements means that damage
costs as a result of flooding have increased significantly.
Cooperating across borders
A transnational, interdisciplinary and stakeholder-oriented approach was crucial for adequately assessing
and mapping flood risk. And due to the many actors involved in flood risk management, harmonisation
was a key feature of the project. This common interpretation of events covered the specification of the
goals and tackled major technical questions.
The project is a key contribution to the work in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region
through the Priority Area 5 'Environmental Risks', as a first step towards the development and adoption of
a single overarching floods management plan at basin level, planned by 2015. DANUBE FLOODRISK has
resulted in better socio-economic conditions in the Danube basin and less flood damage to its floodplain.
The project has also improved the long-term strategic planning framework for flood risk management.
According to experts, the project has a far reaching strategic focus beyond risk management and could
become a flagship project for the South-East Europe programme.
The project created 28 new jobs in project management and financial management. Hundreds of positions
were also created in flood prevention areas.
The DANUBE FLOODRISK project established solid transnational cooperation among all the South-East Europe
programme countries. All those involved gained a deep understanding of the flood risk management strategy, priorities
and methods. In addition, hydraulic models were harmonised and a joint database and flood risk maps were created.


EN
Regional policy
European Union
Dr. Mary-Jeanne Adler, Scientific Director, Senior adviser Ministry of Environment and Forests


Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project Danube Floodrisk is EUR 6 376 563 with the EUs European Regional
Development Fund contributing EUR 5 003 647 through the South East Europe Transnational
Cooperation Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.
Technical information
Project: Lowering the risk of floods in the Danube basin
Program: ERDF for the 2007-2013 programming period
Total Investment: EUR 6 376 563
EU contribution: EUR 5 003 647
Contact: Managing Authority:
Authority for International Cooperation Programmes
Director
Balzs, SimHU1077, Budapest
Magyarorszg
Tel.: +36 14749218
Fax.: +36 14749201
E-Mail: balazs.simo@nfu.gov.hu
http://www.nfu.hu
Beneficiary:
MM Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Water, Forestry
and Fisheries National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management
Scientific Director, Senior adviser Ministry of Environment and Forests
Mary-Jeanne, AdlerRO013686 , Bucharest
Romnia
Tel.: +40 722661130
Fax.: +40 213179995
E-Mail: mj.adler@hidro.ro;mj.adler@mmediu.ro
Managing Authority:
Authority for International Cooperation Programmes
International Programme Manager
Anett, LehczkiHU1077, Budapest
Magyarorszg
Tel.: +36 14749206
Fax.: +36 14749201
E-Mail: anett.lehoczki@nfu.gov.hu
http://www.nfu.hu
http://www.danube-floodrisk.eu/
Draft date: 04/05/2014
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm