Across Europe, populations of migratory fish have faced steep declines, a development closely linked to human-induced changes to their habitats.

The EU Horizon project DANUBElifelines aims to restore ecological connectivity in the Danube and its tributaries, thereby ensuring the long-term conservation of migratory fish species such as sturgeons, huchen, nase, and barbel. Funded under the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters of Horizon Europe, the project runs from 2025 to 2029 under the coordination of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU).

Concrete measures will be implemented in eight demonstration areas along the Danube, spanning Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. These measures include the removal of outdated weirs and other barriers, the restoration of river channels, the reconnection of side arms, the rewetting of floodplains, and the restoration of riverbanks. The work is carried out with active involvement from research institutions, public authorities, non-governmental organizations, and local stakeholders.

A central component is the development of a evidence-based action plan and the Danube Fish Migration and Connectivity Atlas, which maps barriers, migration corridors, and key habitats. The goal is not only to achieve tangible improvements in the Danube, but also to create transferable models for other European rivers. The project directly contributes to the EU objective of restoring at least 25,000 kilometres of free-flowing rivers by 2030.

With 24 partners from eleven countries, DANUBElifelines brings together expertise from research, nature conservation, water management, and policy. The combination of nature-based solutions, scientific monitoring, and cross-border cooperation makes the initiative a key element in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems in Europe. In doing so, the Danube is set to become once again a continuous lifeline for migratory fish species and a global model for river restoration.

Project Lead:

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)

Project Partners:

• Universität für Bodenkultur Wien – Österreich
• Deltares – Niederlande
• Balaton Limnological Research Institute – Ungarn
• Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei – Deutschland
• Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade – Serbien
• Swansea University – Vereinigtes Königreich
• Universitatea Dunărea de Jos din Galați – Rumänien
• Universität Duisburg-Essen – Deutschland
• Technische Universität München – Deutschland
• Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Spanien
• Wetlands International – European Association – Niederlande
• World Fish Migration Foundation – Niederlande
• WWF Romania – Rumänien
• WWF Bulgaria – Bulgarien
• WWF Slovensko – Slowakei
• Slovenský rybársky zväz – Slowakei
• Umweltbundesamt (UBA) – Österreich
• Schnee auf moss Werbeagentur GmbH – Österreich
• Institut für Intelligente Systeme und Maschinen – Eutema – Österreich
• Institut za ihtiološke in ekološke raziskave, Zavod REVIVO – Slowenien
• Őrségi Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság – Ungarn

Website:

DANUBElifelines – Let the fish back to the Danube

Funding: Grant Agreement No. 101213836