The SUNDANSE project, a 48-month Horizon Europe initiative involving 19 partners across 10 countries, addresses the critical disruption of sediment balance in the Danube River-Black Sea system. Since the late 19th century, human interventions, including hydropower dams, riverbed straightening, and navigation projects, have altered water flow, leading to increased flood risks, habitat loss, and sediment accumulation. Currently, approximately 20% of European water bodies are adversely affected by such barriers, which stifle biodiversity and reduce sediment delivery to the Black Sea.