by Marcel Zvolenský, SHMU and Peter Salamon, JRC

None of the flood risk mitigation measures serves better the protection of human lives and the social estate than extending the preparation time to avoid catastrophes. Reliable hydrological data is the basis of sound forecasting system in any country. The most cost-effective non-structural tangible solution which highly reflects the solidarity principle is the improvement of forecasting capabilities on basin-wide scale. The DAREFFORT project (Danube River Basin Enhanced Flood Forecasting Cooperation) is a horizontal initiative to implement a flood risk mitigation measure through a common hydrological database in a joint and sustainable way on catchment level for the whole Danube region. On the 13 - 14 September 2018, the DAREFFORT project kick-off meeting took place in Budapest.

The project is led by a Hungarian state owned non-profit organization VIZITERV which will cooperate with 12 partners and the same number of associated partners from 9 EU countries, 1 accessing country (Serbia) and 2 neighbouring countries (Ukraine and Moldova), covering nearly the whole Danube region. 10 out of the 18 partners/associated partners are also EFAS partners and, in addition, the JRC is linked to the project as international associated strategic partner ensuring that the DAREFFORT project benefits from the extensive experience in EFAS on international data exchange and river basin wide flood risk management. Expected lifespan of the project is from 1 June 2018 until the end of May 2021 (total duration 36 months).

The main deliverable of the project is to establish a standardized international hydro-meteorological data exchange platform, which can improve the quality and efficiency of forecast services including EFAS. This would feed a public near real time system – DanubeHIS supported by the ICPDR – that provides data for flood risk management or for any water related scientific activities. For more information please visit the official project website: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/dareffort.