Sandanube

Duration: December 2015 – July 2016 
Funding mechanism: START – Danube Region Project Fund (EU Strategy for the Danube Region – EUSDR) 
Status: Completed project

Short project description: SANDANUBE addressed the significant gap in wastewater treatment in the Danube Region, where a large share of the population in small settlements is not connected to wastewater treatment plants, and service quality remains below international benchmarks. The project focused on promoting sustainable sanitation solutions for rural areas by bridging the gap between legislation and practice. It explored innovative, decentralised wastewater treatment technologies—such as nature-based solutions—that support water quality improvement, nutrient recovery, and resource efficiency, in line with EUSDR objectives.     

 Project objectives:  

• Bridge the gap between wastewater legislation and current practice in small settlements  
• Improve water quality and nutrient management in the Danube Region  
• Promote sustainable and decentralised sanitation solutions suitable for rural areas  
• Support integration of wastewater management with agriculture and resource recovery  
• Prepare a strong project concept for future EU funding programme  

Role of GWP CEE in the project: GWP CEE acted as the lead partner of the SANDANUBE project. GWP CEE coordinated all project activities, including funding mapping, partner and stakeholder analysis, surveys of wastewater treatment legislation, and preparation of the overall project proposal. GWP CEE also organised a regional workshop and study visit, facilitated knowledge exchange among partners and stakeholders, and ensured alignment with the objectives of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.   

Contact of the responsible GWP CEE project manager: sabina.bokal@gwpcee.org    

Link to the official project website: Sandanube