InnoWATCCH

Project title: Innovative Water Retention for Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainable Agriculture and Flood Protection

The project leader: General Directorate of Water Management (OVF), Hungary

Implementation period: 2025 – 2028

10 partners from 8 countries: Hungary, Germany, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Partners: GeoGold Kárpátia Environmental and Engineering Expert Llc. (GeoGold), Hungary, Technische Universität München (TUM), Germany, Croatian Geological Survey (HGI), Croatia, Regional administration Vidin (R.A. Vidin), Bulgaria, Research and Development Institute for Wildlife and Mountain Resources (ICDCRM), Romania, Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research, Austria, Public Water Management Company Vode Vojvodine (PWMCVV), Serbia, Public Institution "Vode Srpske", Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives Balkans (CESCI Balkans), Serbia

Background: Climate change induces changes in precipitation patterns, with trends towards fewer but more intensive precipitation events (frequent heavy rain) and higher evapotranspiration. This leads to increased flooding and more severe droughts: with the consequence of drier soils and decreased groundwater recharge.

Goals: Climate change induces changes in precipitation patterns, with trends towards fewer but more intensive precipitation events (frequent heavy rain) and higher evapotranspiration. This leads to increased flooding and more severe droughts: with the consequence of drier soils and decreased groundwater recharge. This project addresses water scarcity, declining water quality, flood protection challenges, and water management approaches. The focus is on central Europe, on the middle and lower sections of the Danube and Sava rivers. Among others, we will investigate paleochannels for potential water storage, aimed at replenishing groundwater resources

Objectives: Understanding interactions between groundwater and surface water Tailored methodologies for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) Feasibility studies on subsurface storage  capacities and pilot actions Establishment of monitoring systems Policy development and stakeholder engagement Environmental impact analysis and capacity building