Public deliverables

The communication, dissemination, and exploitation of SUNDANSE results are fundamental components in enabling the project’s objective and creating a broader impact, even beyond the project’s lifespan. To achieve this crucial goal, this document systematically describes and showcases the first version of the SUNDANSE plan for communication and dissemination activities, as well as the action plan for exploiting potential project results.

This output presents an updated and harmonized framework for sediment sampling, aimed at improving the quantitative and qualitative analysis of sediments from large and complex aquatic ecosystems, in particular from the Danube River Basin. It builds on initiatives from previous projects, such as the SIMONA project, but also on ISO standards for sediment and water sampling (e.g., the ISO 5667 series). The document brings methodological improvements based on the authors’ practical field experience, on inter-institutional collaboration between several Danube countries, and on the scientific literature consulted. The sediment and water sampling strategy, site selection, methods and equipment, and sampling frequency, as well as the transport and stabilisation of collected samples, are addressed from a field practice perspective, including updated recommendations on the investigation of chemical, physical, biological, and microbiological properties of sediments, with a special focus on emerging pollutants such as microplastics. The focus is on taking into account hydromorphological variability and biological indicators and on improving monitoring in areas affected by anthropogenic activity and climate change. By promoting consistency and comparability between monitoring efforts, this document supports more effective sediment2management and the implementation of policies in line with the Water Framework Directive and other EU environmental regulations.

The D5.3 Open Call Package and Communication Toolkit Deliverable report documents the selection and support process for third-party beneficiaries under the SUNDANSE project. The SUNDANSE Open Call #1 – The Danube Call aims to provide a maximum of a €100,000 lump sum grant and a 9-month programme to at least three selected projects. Eligible applicants are Local or Regional Authorities (or a consortium of up to two) from associated regions. The objective is to accelerate the replication and scale-up of SUNDANSE sediment management solutions, focusing on core thematic areas like flow/sediment monitoring, quality assessment, or awareness raising.