Project acronym: DREAM
Project Code: ROBG00169
Website: https://dreamproject.eco/about
Project Partners:
• Lead Partner: University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev" (Bulgaria)
• Partner 1: COMOTI – Romanian Research & Development Institute for Gas Turbines (Romania)
• Partner 2: ICPE-CA – National Institute for R&D in Electrical Engineering (Romania)
Contact Person (COMOTI): Tiberius Frigioescu
Contact Email: tiberius.frigioescu@comoti.ro
Contract Duration:
• Start Date: December 21, 2024
• End Date: June 20, 2026
Funding:
The DREAM Project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.
• Priority Area: "A Greener Region"
• Specific Objective 2.7: Enhancing the protection and conservation of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure (including urban areas) while reducing all forms of pollution.
Implementation Period: 18 months
Budget:
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria: Provides 80% co-financing for the project's research and implementation.
• National Governments (Bulgaria & Romania): Support local initiatives and contribute 18% co-financing.
Total Project Budget: €733,294.60
• ERDF Contribution: €586,635.68 (80%)
• National & Public Co-financing: €131,993.03 (18%)
• Own Contribution by Partners: €14,665.89 (2%)
Budget per Partner:
• University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev": €273,360.00
• COMOTI - Romanian Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines: €228,370.00
• ICPE-CA - National Institute for R&D in Electrical Engineering: €231,564.60
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Project Summary
The Danube River Environmental Assessment and Monitoring Project (DREAM) aims to identify and address environmental issues along the Danube River in the Ruse/Giurgiu-Silistra/Călărași region. The initiative intends to comprehensively assess air and water quality, noise pollution and other environmental aspects using state-of-the-art technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a solar-powered boat.
The Danube River serves as an important navigable waterway for many countries, but currently faces pollution problems both in its waters and the surrounding ecosystem. Cities relying on the river for recreation and subsistence are also affected by this, along with the aquatic life. These issues have been exacerbated by unsustainable behaviors, industrialization and insufficient monitoring techniques.
DREAM Project Objectives
The project's main objective is to provide complete, accurate and up-to-date data regarding the environmental status of the Danube River in the Ruse/Giurgiu - Silistra/Călărași region. Through this, it aims to achieve the following objectives:
• Facilitating prompt actions to mitigate negative environmental impacts;
• Serving as a model for other Danube basins and comparable ecosystems at international level;
• Promoting awareness and cooperation among local communities, governments and industries.
Expected Impact and Project Results
The expected change includes improved community involvement in river health conservation, more sustainable industrial practices, and better-informed decision-making procedures.
The project results are:
• Complete datasets on air and water quality, noise pollution and broader environmental metrics.
• A sustainable energy model integrating a solar-powered boat and UAVs for extended research areas and energy independence.
• Regular reports and recommendations for stakeholders.
The project beneficiaries are:
• Local communities that depend on the river for various needs.
• Governments and policy makers for developing regulations and interventions.
• Industries wishing to adopt sustainable practices.
• The business environment and researchers.
Innovative Strategy and Approach
The strategy incorporates cutting-edge technology, community involvement and interdisciplinary cooperation. Precise, real-time monitoring is possible through the use of UAVs and solar-powered devices, while sustainability is ensured by community engagement.
Due to the transnational nature of the Danube River, environmental problems in one location can impact neighboring areas. A cooperative, international strategy guarantees coordinated and comprehensive efforts by combining resources, expertise and best practices.
The DREAM Project innovatively integrates UAV systems for environmental monitoring with renewable energy technologies, such as solar-powered boats. This provides increased data collection accuracy, along with sustainability. It also serves as a model for addressing common environmental problems in interconnected ecosystems due to its emphasis on a cross-border, cooperative approach.
Community Involvement and Project Adaptability
Beyond its technological advances, the DREAM Project places strong emphasis on community involvement and education. The initiative seeks to promote a sense of collective responsibility among citizens, companies and decision-makers. The initiative will provide communities with knowledge about their environment's status and methods they can use to improve it by organizing workshops, public forums and educational campaigns.
Although established near Ruse, Giurgiu, Silistra and Călărași, the DREAM Project's approaches and frameworks are flexible. Other locations along the Danube facing comparable problems or other river ecosystems worldwide can extend or replicate the lessons learned, technologies used and best practices produced.
Collaborations and Long-Term Sustainability
The project involves academic and scientific institutes to guarantee interpretation validity and data quality. The DREAM Project will benefit from these partnerships' experience in environmental research, data analysis and technological application. In return, these institutions will have access to a large dataset for research and educational purposes.
One of the defining characteristics of the DREAM Project is its focus on long-term effects. Once installed, the solar-powered infrastructure provides a long-term means of maintaining surveillance after the project's initial stages. The project also ensures the continuation of its objectives and benefits by promoting environmental awareness in nearby communities and establishing institutional relationships.
Data Transparency
Through a dedicated website, the public will have access to collected data. This online resource will function both as an interactive tool for education and awareness and as a database. The approach builds trust and promotes public involvement in environmental conservation efforts, making information openly accessible.
I. Design of an Environmental Factors Monitoring System (EFMS)
By the end of WP1, the DREAM project expects to provide regional and local public authorities, as well as environmental NGOs operating in the "Ruse/Giurgiu - Silistra/Călărași" territory, with a complete, integrated and usable design framework for the Environmental Factors Monitoring System (EFMS).
This design will address the area's specific environmental issues, enabling informed decision-making and the identification of specific solutions. The EFMS design must receive stakeholder agreement and support for the objective to be successful, with emphasis on its applicability, viability and capacity to meet the region's specific requirements.
Period: 21.12.2024 - 20.04.2025
II. Development, implementation and outcome dissemination of EFMS project
By the end of WP2, the DREAM project is dedicated to delivering a fully operational and integrated Environmental Factors Monitoring System (EFMS) functioning across the entire Ruse/Giurgiu - Silistra/Călărași route.
This objective aims to guarantee community access to cutting-edge environmental monitoring technologies, specially designed to address the area's distinct ecological challenges. Successful EFMS implementation in key locations throughout the allocated territory and a demonstrated data accuracy rate of 90% or higher in initial data collection will serve as success indicators for this objective.
Period: 20.04.2025 - 20.06.2026