Today we celebrate the lifeblood of our region. The mighty Danube is a natural wonder that connects us all.

This year’s motto “United by Danube” echoes the iconic Eurovision theme, reminding us that across 9 EU Member States and candidate countries (including Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro), our shared waters connect us. Established in 2004, the day marks the 1994 signing of the Danube River Protection Convention in Sofia.

Cross-border cooperation is vital to protecting this delicate ecosystem. Today, we are proud to spotlight an award-winning initiative that truly embodies this year’s theme:

Meet the Water Guardians: RoS-NET2 (RORS-337)

Winner of the prestigious 2023 RegioStars Award in the A Green Europe category, RoS-NET2 brought together the West University of Timisoara, the Mining and Metallurgy Institute Bor, and GEC Nera to safeguard our shared environment.

By assessing and combating the impact of copper mining activities on water quality in Moldova Nouă and Bor, this project took a decisive step towards a cleaner Danube basin:

Advanced Research: Upgraded cross-border scientific networks with state-of-the-art research instruments to thoroughly analyze physicochemical and toxicological water quality.

Actionable Science: Developed 2 comprehensive scientific studies outlining practical remediation solutions for mining-affected waters.

Community Power: Inspired and trained local pupils, teachers, and professionals, on horizontal environmental principles.

By arming communities with the tools and data they need to defend our waterways, we are keeping our region healthy, resilient, and connected.

This project was co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg-IPA CBC Romania-Serbia Programme (2014-2020).

Let’s continue to stay #UnitedByDanube!

You can find more information on the celebrations here: https://www.danubeday.org/