SoS2LearnDBS · Source to Sea: Leveraging community knowledge and action for restoring the Danube River basin and the Black Sea region

SoS2LearnDBS aims to drive community-led restoration of oceans, seas, and waters, by applying a comprehensive, multi-pillar approach to the Danube River basin and Black Sea region. By enhancing water literacy and community engagement through cooperative learning and capacity-building programs, the project will empower local stakeholders to implement innovative solutions across multiple areas, including technological, nature-based, social, cultural, regulatory, financial, and governance approaches. Strategic planning and adaptive management will support the creation of transition agendas that align with regional and EU environmental restoration goals.Two forms of cascade funding (FSTP) and technical assistance will be provided to communities of actors, emphasizing practical skills, resource access, and social innovation to ensure sustainable and scalable restoration efforts. Initiatives benefiting from this funding must make a clear contribution to the Mission Ocean objectives and targets of protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, preventing and eliminating pollution, and/or advancing a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy.The project will implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and incorporate continuous feedback to optimize outcomes. Communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities will leverage digital platforms, gamification, and interactive tools to engage a wide range of stakeholders and maximize the project’s reach and impact.SoS2LearnDBS will align with existing EU initiatives, including the Mission Ocean Implementation Platform and other Lighthouse projects, contributing to the broader objective of restoring Europe’s marine and freshwater ecosystems by 2030. The consortium’s geographical span and expertise uniquely position it to support the transition to the deployment and upscaling phase of Mission Ocean, fostering impactful and lasting change.