On behalf of the World Bank, we supported the Romanian government in developing Flood Hazard and Risk Maps (FHRMs) and risk-informed Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), strengthening planning, resilience and flood response across the country.
Developing flood risk management plans for Romania’s 11 River Basin Administrations and the Danube River, required extensive collaboration and technical expertise. As part of the EU Floods Directive’s second cycle, this assignment brought together a diverse team of international and national specialists to update hazard and risk maps for 526 Areas of Significant Potential Flood Risk (APSFRs), and to work collaboratively to define practical and implementable solutions aligned with Romania’s long-term flood risk management aspirations.
A multi-scale modelling approach was central to this work. At the local scale, high-resolution models were developed for priority areas, providing detailed insights into fluvial, pluvial and dike breach flooding. These models were complemented by broader catchment-scale assessments to understand flood dynamics within Romania’s river basins. At the national level, risk assessments helped shape overarching strategies, ensuring consistency across all river basins while allowing for tailored solutions at the regional and community levels.
Key objectives included:
Our team worked closely with the World Bank, national authorities and regional partners to deliver high-quality outputs within the strict timelines of the EU Floods Directive. The project involved:
Mark Lawless, Managing Director of JBA Global Resilience, emphasised the impact of collaboration in delivering this project:
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved through partnership. From data collection and modelling to strategy development and stakeholder engagement, our work brought together leading experts from across Europe, working closely with national and regional authorities to build flood risk management strategies for Romania.”
A World Bank representative further emphasised the importance of this collaboration:
“Enhancing Romania’s flood resilience required not only technical expertise but also strong partnerships between national institutions and international specialists. This assignment reflects the power of partnerships in delivering practical, high-quality solutions that align with EU and global best practices.”
This assignment provided Romania with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen flood preparedness and response. The project has delivered long-term benefits, including:
Building on the success of this project, we are now implementing key actions from the Program of Measures (PoM), including surface water management in Pitești, dike refurbishment projects, wetland restoration, and reviews of reservoir operating rules for environmental flows (eFlows). Additionally, Romania’s National Flood Strategy has now been officially approved, further supporting the implementation of the strategies developed and reinforcing long-term national flood resilience.
This assignment demonstrates how international collaboration, innovative modelling and risk-informed planning can drive effective flood risk management at a national scale. By integrating advanced technologies with local expertise, this work provides a blueprint for strengthening flood resilience in Romania and beyond.
Contact our team to learn more about this project.
