Prone2Success Checklist

EcoAdvance European Project

Stakeholders ➤ Engage with stakeholders ➤ Identify and engage all relevant stakeholders

The issue

Stakeholders encompass local communities, smaller and bigger actors from different sectors, as well as in the broad public in general. Different ways exist and can be taken to engage with them. We need to identify and engage with all of them in order to gather understanding and support for project goals.


You can read up on this here:

Galbraith et al. (2021)
Schulz-Zunkel et al. (2022)
Metcalf (2015)
Singh et al. (2021)
Jähnig et al. (2011);
Gottschalk Druschke & Hychka (2015)

AUSTRIADr Helmut Habersack

Univ. Prof., University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Scientists & Researchers

Helmut also serves as President of the International Commission for the Hydrology of the Rhine Basin (KHR), Vice President of the UNESCO IHP Intergovernmental Council, and Vice President of the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research (WASER).

HUNGARYDr Olga Baranyai

Chief technical expert, biologist at West-transdanubian Water Directorate

EC / PolicyMakers / Funders / Government

  • Hydrological improvement
  • Pollution Reduction

Olga was selected for a showcase because of her experience in leading a river restoration project in a Hungariaon-Austrian Interreg Project. 

NETHERLANDSDr Ellis Penning

Deltares, Inland Water Systems

Expert Nature-based Solutions and Aquatic Ecology

Scientists & Researchers

  • Nature-based Solutions

Ellis is an expert in the field of Nature based Solutions and ecohydraulic research with over 20 years of experience. She leads the Deltares strategic research program on Nature Based Solutions and carries out a variety of projects related to this subject, both in the national and international context.

HUNGARYZoltán Ecsedi

Life+ project leader at Hortobágy Environmental Association

EC / PolicyMakers / Funders / Government

  • Rehabilitation of River and network of wetlands
  • Hydrology
  • Climate change
  • Integration of key stakeholders into the project

Zoltán was selected for a showcase because of his expertise in leading two river-wetland mosaic restoration LIFE+ projects. 

AUSTRIADr Christoph Hauer

Senior researcher, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

Specialist in eco-hydraulics and natural hydraulic engineering

Scientists & Researchers

Christophe has over 15 years of experience in interdisciplinary research, connecting hydraulics and sediment transport with aquatic and semi-aquatic biota, with a particular focus on hydropower plant management.

ROMANIADragos Balaican

Researcher - Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development

Scientists & Researchers

Dragos is a socio-ecology researcher at Danube Delta National Research and Development Institute, Romania

CROATIAPetra Remeta

Consultant - environment, climate, and sustainability Trinomics B.V.

Restoration Engineers / Consultants / Practitioners

  • Policy
  • Restoration in practice
  • Smart management

We selected Petra Remeta for the interview due to their outstanding track record in freshwater ecosystem conservation. Their work spans key areas including policy advocacy, where they have effectively promoted enabling conditions for sustainable resource management; awareness raising, which has helped garner support for long-term restoration goals; and direct action through ecosystem restoration projects such as dam removal and wetland rewetting. Their comprehensive approach—linking policy, protection, and practical restoration—demonstrates a deep commitment to safeguarding and revitalizing freshwater habitats.

CROATIATomislav Hudina

Botany and Habitats Programme Manager
Association Biom - BirdLife Croatia

NGOs & Civil Society

  • Long term caretake
  • Ecological assessment
  • Prioritization

We selected Tomislav Hudina for this interview due to his exemplary contributions to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation in Croatia. He has played a key role in initiating and scaling up impactful projects, most notably the Dinara back to LIFE project—the country's first large-scale grassland restoration effort—which laid the groundwork for broader application of tested methodologies. His work on the Still Water Revival project further highlights his commitment to participatory restoration by engaging local communities and ensuring long-term care through caretaker programs.

His expertise lies in the development of accessible and scalable methodologies for ecological assessment, crucial for mainstreaming restoration practices. Their focus on creating tools that can be used by non-experts demonstrates a clear vision for empowering stakeholders and ensuring lasting outcomes.

DENMARKProf Anthony David Fox

Department of Ecoscience - Wildlife Ecology - Aarhus University

Scientists & Researchers

  • Long term monitoring
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem services
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Nutrient runoff

Anthony D. Fox was selected for the Star Scientist Showcase for his outstanding contributions to restoration ecology over the past two decades. Originally trained as an ornithologist, his work has progressively expanded to include the ecological background aspects of freshwater and wetland restoration in Denmark. His expertise spans nutrient management, lake rehabilitation, and stakeholder engagement. Drawing on his long-term involvement in large-scale restoration projects, he offers valuable insights into the design of multi-functional wetlands and the integration of biodiversity and climate objectives. His reflections highlight the importance of long-term planning, inclusive stakeholder processes, and learning from past experiences to enhance the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

MONTENEGROMilija Čabarkapa

Executive director - Eco-team

NGOs & Civil Society

Milija was selected because he leads initiatives focused on protecting freshwater ecosystems, advocates for nature-based solutions, and works closely with local communities, government institutions, and international partners to influence policy and practice in environmental conservation.

ROMANIAMihai Cristian Adamescu

Researcher
University of Bucharest/Research Center in Systems Ecology and Sustainability

Scientists & Researchers

  • Compiling approaches and methods that have worked in freshwater restoration
  • Establishing a living platform 
  • Holistic projects needed 
  • Re-establish trust with local stakeholders, co-design measures

Mihai has over 20 years of experience with freshwater ecosystems. He has been working in the Danube Delta, with the LTER network and is now coordinating a large project that gathers knowledge, tools and stakeholders across the Danube basin, with testing methods on four demonstration sites and six monitoring sites.

Back