Work Package 1 is one out of two work packages which have been predefined by the SEE Programme Authorities. The overall objective of WP 1 is the project management, which enables a smooth implementation of the project, provides feedback to the programme bodies and keeps the whole project team up to date.
WP2 - Dissemination
Work package 2 was also predefined by the SEE programme and it is dealing with communication and dissemination. The main goal of the work package on one hand is to provide a seamless internal communication to improve workflow and to have a common understanding of the project activities and how to deliverables, on the other hand it is very important to provide transparency and communicate all project results and co-financing clearly.
WP3 - Intensify cooperation
Within work package 3 the cooperation on hydrographical and hydrological tasks shall be intensified. Especially in the cross border region a lot of potential for optimisation exists. National strategy plans will be prepared to harmonise efforts and measures. Due to different national procedures surveying activities and outputs are not comparable so far. Hence, a common understanding for surveying activities will be established. Follow up activities such as bi-multilateral work plans will be drafted. Joint research activities will be identified by the provision of a research agenda and concepts for pilot activities.
WP4 - Improve physical accessibility
River engineering is the process of planned human intervention in the course, characteristics or flow of a river with the intention of producing some defined benefit. Several bottlenecks along the European Transport corridor VII are core hindrances for navigation. Similarities among these bottlenecks shall be identified to implement common solutions for their removal. Another essential item for a waterway administration is the maintenance of the waterway. Due to the fact that approximately 1100 river km of the 2400 river km are shared border a huge potential for a more efficient waterway maintenance due to cooperation is given.
WP5 - Enhance accessibility to ICT networks and services
Work Package 5 is dealing with the implementation of ICT networks and services. Main goal is to harmonize these services (e.g. ENCs) and to elaborate Danube region strategic documents such as guidelines. Joint activities like common survey and pilot actions are also essential. Relevant data for waterway administration and its interfaces will be defined. This data will be published on a web portal, where each country is responsible for its national information. Access points will be implemented at neuralgic points along the Danube waterway where only the web portal can be addressed. ENCs (electronic navigational charts) are the basis for RIS (River Information Services) (see Directive 2005/44/EC). For those charts a common understanding in term of quality will be worked out and implemented. In the run of previous projects like D4D and DANewBE Data, both within the Interreg III B programme, a GIS data base was piloted. This kind of data base shall now be extended to Romania and Bulgaria. Furthermore necessary amendments due to technology development will be included.
WP6 - Integrate responsible stakeholders and foster cooperation
Within this work package the project team will work together on organizational and strategic issues of the waterway administrations. Thus, a platform comprising the directors of the waterway administrations will be established called "Board of Directors" (BoD). The participating representatives will elaborate a SWOT analysis (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) for each waterway administration. The SWOT analysis shall be based on the current structures, the available resources and the existing tasks and objectives of each waterway administration. Based on this analysis the participating directors will discuss and agree on common objectives of waterway administrations on the river Danube. Based on these findings a set of recommendations will be elaborated for every waterway administration. Furthermore the BoD will develop coherent and internationally coordinated communication strategy laid down in action plans. Know-how exchange will be enabled through the set up of exchange programs for experts, thus improving the cooperation between the waterway administrations and contributing to the set up of common standards along the Danube River. The involvement within PIANC expert meetings is planned. Finally the project will also define follow up activities and identify possible national and European funding sources.
