Hungary and Serbia strengthen cooperation to manage flood and drought risks on the Tisza River

An EU-supported cross-border project is helping Hungary and Serbia improve flood and drought management along the Tisza River through shared data, river monitoring and digital tools.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of both floods and droughts in the Tisza River basin, which stretches across five countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In response, Hungary and Serbia are working together through the ADAPTisa project to strengthen cooperation and improve their ability to anticipate and manage extreme water-related events.

The project focuses on developing an integrated water management platform that allows institutions, experts and decision-makers in both countries to share data, forecast risks and coordinate responses in real time. The system combines historical hydrological data, real-time measurements and hydraulic model simulations, supported by artificial intelligence, to improve flood and drought prediction.

ADAPTisa also includes on-the-ground actions to support data collection and public awareness. In October, more than 60 volunteers gathered in Bečej, Serbia, to collect waste along a 12-kilometre stretch of the riverbanks and riverbed. At the same time, researchers carried out water sampling both along the shore and in the riverbed, analysing water quality indicators such as pH levels, phthalates and pesticide concentrations using a portable laboratory funded by the project.

Developed with EU support under Cohesion Policy, covering 85% of the project’s €1.4 million budget, ADAPTisa strengthens cross-border cooperation while supporting climate resilience and sustainable water management. The platform will be used by public water authorities in both countries and made publicly accessible through the Lower Tisza Regional Water Management Directorate in Szeged, Hungary.