Rivers — Danube & Tributaries
Beyond Usefulness: Governance Legitimacy and Context Constraints in the Adoption of Multifunctional Monitoring Tools for Free-Flowing Rivers.
This questionnaire is conducted within the framework of the Horizon Europe project [Safeguarding Migratory Fish and their Habitats in the Danube River Basin and beyond (DANUBElifelines), Project number: 101213836]. The purpose of the survey is to collect insights from potential entrepreneurs from the Danube river basin regarding their interest in adopting multifunctional monitoring, visualisation and analysis tools for free-flowing rivers within river-related business activities (e.g., eco-tourism, recreation, hospitality, local food and nature-based services), and the factors and incentives that would encourage such adoption.
Participation in this questionnaire is entirely voluntary. You may choose not to answer any question and may stop completing the questionnaire at any time, without any consequences.
The information collected will be used exclusively for research and project-related purposes. Responses will be analysed in aggregated form, and no individual respondent will be identified in any public report, deliverable, publication, or dissemination material, unless explicit consent has been provided.
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By completing this questionnaire, you confirm that you have been informed about the purpose of the survey and agree to the use of your responses for the purposes described above.
Views and opinions expressed are those of the respondents and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Answer for a business you run or would start that is linked to the Danube and its tributaries. The tools = multifunctional monitoring, visualisation and analysis tools for rivers (VR, AI, data dashboards, sensors). The rivers = the Danube and its tributaries.
Profile
A short profile of who you are and your venture context.
Which best describes you?
In which country are you based?
Which river-related sector interests you most?
Years of work or business experience?
Your access to capital to invest in such tools or a business?
How often do you follow business or funding opportunities?
Constructs & Adoption
Evaluate each statement using the 1–5 agreement scale.
“Tools” = monitoring · visualisation · analysis for rivers (VR · AI · dashboards · sensors).
These tools would help a river-related business show customers the value of the river.
These tools would improve decisions in a river-related business.
These tools would give a river-related business a real advantage.
These tools would give a river-related business useful, decision-ready information.
How do you view the way river decisions are governed?
River-related decisions are made through legitimate, transparent processes.
I would accept river-related decisions when their purpose is clear.
River decisions take fair account of the people and businesses they affect.
Weighing environmental costs and benefits is a fair basis for river decisions.
How much would each limit adopting these tools in a river business in my area?
Limited funding to adopt such tools.
Complicated rules
Not enough reliable data or technical support.
Competition from other uses of the river (farming, energy, shipping).
The economic potential around healthier rivers:
A river-related business in my area could be profitable.
Restored rivers open up real market opportunities.
Tourism and recreation around the rivers could sustain a viable business.
Investing in these tools could pay off for a river business.
Your capability to adopt these tools:
I have, or could gain, the skills to use these tools in a river-related business.
I could get the resources needed to put these tools into practice.
I am confident I could integrate these tools into how I work.
Adopting these tools is realistically within my reach.
How well do you understand the following?
How healthy, free-flowing rivers create business value.
How river monitoring and these tools actually work.
What customers would want from river-related services.
The market for river-related businesses in my area.
Would you adopt these tools in a river-related business?
I would use multifunctional monitoring, visualisation and analysis tools in a river-related business.
I would actively seek to bring these tools into a river-related business.
I would change how I work to make use of these tools.
I would dedicate time or resources to adopting these tools.
Would you invest in adopting these tools?
I would invest my own money in adopting these tools.
I would seek funding or partners to adopt these tools.
I would invest in these tools if the returns were clearly shown.
I would back river restoration that supports a river-related business.
Where & How You Would Build
Multi-select, single choice, and a 1–5 supports matrix.
Which river-related activities would you most want to build a business around? (select all that apply)
What is the main barrier to adopting these tools in a river business where you live?
How much would each increase your willingness to adopt these tools in a river-related business?
Grants or seed funding.
Low-interest loans or blended finance.
Tax breaks for green or river-related businesses.
Guarantees or anchor contracts that reduce risk.
Training and technical support to run the tools.
Free or low-cost access to river monitoring data.
Proof the tools work, from pilot sites.
Simplified permits / a one-stop-shop.
Networks, clusters and market access (e.g. an eco-label).