Danube-Data
Integrated Environmental Data Network for the Danube Basin
Initiated within the SUNDANSE project
Overview
Danube-Data is an interoperable environmental data platform initiated within the SUNDANSE project as the operational implementation of its environmental data network.
The platform provides a structured environment for the curation, documentation, and controlled sharing of datasets and metadata records relevant to sediment management, hydrology, biodiversity, and related environmental domains across the Danube–Black Sea system.
Designed as a scalable basin-level framework, Danube-Data supports cross-border data exchange, structured metadata governance, and long-term reusability in alignment with FAIR data principles.
The platform enables both open and restricted data access models while ensuring transparency, traceability, and respect for legal, institutional, and project-specific data governance requirements.
Mission
Danube-Data aims to:
- Support evidence-based environmental management in the Danube region
- Facilitate data sharing across projects and institutions
- Promote FAIR data principles
- Enable modelling, forecasting and decision-support applications
- Strengthen cross-sector and cross-border collaboration
The platform is designed as a growing environmental data network rather than a single-project repository, ensuring continuity and scalability beyond individual project lifecycles.
Hosted Projects
The platform currently hosts:
- SUNDANSE – Sustainable sediment management in the Danube–Black Sea system
- DANUBINA – Smart and Sustainable Governance for Plastic and Litter-Free River-to-Sea Ecosystems in the Danube Region (Grant Agreement preparation phase - future compatibility)
Additional compatible basin-scale initiatives may be integrated over time, subject to governance alignment and data-sharing agreements.
Data Domains
Datasets and metadata records hosted on Danube-Data may include:
- Hydrological data
- Sediment quality and quantity
- Water quality measurements
- Biodiversity and ecological indicators
- Microplastics and pollution monitoring
- Numerical model inputs and outputs
- Monitoring station data
- Metadata records for planned, restricted or embargoed datasets
The scope reflects environmental domains addressed within SUNDANSE and compatible regional initiatives.
FAIR Data Commitment
Danube-Data follows the FAIR data principles:
- Findable – Structured naming conventions, searchable metadata, persistent records
- Accessible – Clearly defined access conditions (open, restricted, or project-based)
- Interoperable – Use of standard coordinate systems, formats and domain classifications
- Reusable – Documented provenance, licensing, temporal and spatial coverage
Where datasets cannot be openly shared, metadata records remain visible to ensure discoverability and transparency.
Data Access Model
Danube-Data supports multiple access levels:
Open datasets – publicly accessible and reusable
Restricted project datasets – accessible within authorised partner organisations
Partner-controlled datasets – managed by contributing institutions under defined access rights
Metadata-only records – describing sensitive, embargoed or future datasets
Access rights are managed at the organisational level, ensuring data ownership, accountability and traceability.
Platform Governance
Danube-Data operates as a structured and federated environmental data network:
- Projects are organised as thematic Groups
- Participating institutions are registered as Organisations
- Data ownership remains with contributing partners
- Platform coordination ensures metadata consistency, interoperability and FAIR alignment