PondSustain Kick-off Conference Successfully Held at the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek
June 16, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stanić
The Faculty of Food Technology Osijek (PTFOS) successfully hosted the Kick-off Conference of the PondSustain – Assessment of the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fishponds in Croatia and Hungary Towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture project, officially marking the beginning of this important cross-border initiative under the Interreg VI-A Hungary–Croatia Programme 2021–2027. The conference brought together scientists, project partners, institutional representatives, and stakeholders from Croatia and Hungary to present the project’s objectives, planned activities, and expected contributions to sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. The conference was officially opened by Tina Vlasić, Programme Manager of the Interreg VI-A Hungary–Croatia Programme, while the event was moderated by Dr. Tibor Santo, President of the Council of the Hungarian National Minority of the City of Osijek and a long-standing promoter of Croatian–Hungarian cooperation. Participants had the opportunity to attend presentations by Prof. Dr. Mirna Habuda-Stanić, Project Coordinator, who introduced the PondSustain project, and Prof. Tamás Molnár from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), who presented the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for biodiversity assessment in freshwater ecosystems. The conference was attended by numerous distinguished guests from public institutions, academia, and the aquaculture sector, including representatives of the Ministry, regional authorities, research institutions, and industry. The event was particularly honoured by the presence of Mr. János Magdó, Consul General of Hungary, whose attendance highlighted the importance of scientific cooperation between Croatia and Hungary. The Kick-off Conference provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and strengthening partnerships, laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the PondSustain project and its contribution to sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture in the Croatia–Hungary cross-border region.
First Joint Field Sampling Campaign Successfully Completed within the PondSustain Project
June 11, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stanić
The first joint field sampling campaign of the PondSustain – Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture project was successfully carried out between 8 and 10 June 2026 by researchers from the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek (PTFOS) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE). The campaign included 13 sampling locations—six commercial fish ponds in Croatia (Donji Miholjac and Zdenci–Grudnjak) and seven fish ponds and oxbow lakes in Hungary (including Muraszemenye, Barcs, Szaporca, and Pécs). Following the agreed project methodology, water samples were collected at three representative points at each location: the water inlet, the fish pond, and the water outlet, resulting in a total of 39 water samples. The collected samples will be analysed to evaluate water quality and, together with environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses, will provide valuable information on fish biodiversity, endangered and invasive species, ecosystem interactions, and the ecological impacts of fishpond management. This first joint field campaign represents an important milestone in the implementation of the PondSustain project, demonstrating the strong scientific cooperation between PTFOS and MATE. The results will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for more sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture while supporting the conservation of freshwater ecosystems in the Croatia–Hungary cross-border region.
PondSustain Project Presented at the 4th European GREEN Conference 2026
May 29, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stanić
The PondSustain – Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary Towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture project was successfully presented at the 4th European GREEN Conference (GREEN 2026), held in Vodice, Croatia. As part of the conference programme, PondSustain was showcased in the GREEN Project Zone, a dedicated exhibition area featuring 11 national and international projects that promote innovative approaches to environmental protection and sustainable development. The project was presented through an oral presentation highlighting its objectives, planned activities, expected results, and its contribution to sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Hungary. GREEN 2026 brought together 290 authors from 17 countries and 88 institutions, who presented 96 scientific papers addressing current challenges related to climate change, water management, environmental protection, sustainability, the European Green Deal, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The presentation of the PondSustain project attracted considerable interest from researchers, environmental professionals, public authorities, and other stakeholders, providing valuable opportunities for scientific exchange, networking, and future collaboration. Participation in the GREEN Project Zone significantly increased the visibility of the PondSustain project and supported the dissemination objectives of the Interreg VI-A Hungary–Croatia Programme 2021–2027, reaffirming the importance of cross-border cooperation in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for freshwater ecosystems and climate-resilient aquaculture.
Successful First Partner Meeting of the PondSustain Project
April 21, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stanić
The first partner meeting of the PondSustain – Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture project was successfully held, bringing together representatives of the project partners and supporting institutions to officially launch the implementation phase of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity for all partners to introduce their teams, discuss project objectives, and establish a common framework for the successful implementation of project activities over the next three years. During the meeting, partners agreed on the key elements of project implementation, including:
- the overall project timeline and activity schedule;
- the implementation plan for field sampling and scientific research;
- the methodology for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to monitor fish populations and aquatic biodiversity;
- coordination of cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Hungary;
- communication and dissemination activities to promote project results; and
- a framework for assessing the economic impacts of fishpond management on aquaculture and tourism.
The meeting was attended by representatives of both project partners. The Faculty of Food Technology Osijek (PTFOS) was represented by Mirna Habuda-Stanić, Project Coordinator, Dajana Gašo-Sokač, and Valentina Bušić. The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) was represented by Tamás Molnár and Kinga Katalin Lefler. Representatives of the Osijek-Baranja County Development Agency (ŽRA OBŽ), Ivana Kiščinal and Dora Perić, also participated in the meeting, providing valuable support in project coordination and implementation. The PondSustain project focuses on investigating the ecological and economic importance of fishpond ecosystems in the Croatia–Hungary cross-border region. Fishponds play a vital role in sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and the provision of ecosystem services. Through interdisciplinary research, the project will assess water quality, monitor endangered and invasive fish species, evaluate the impacts of predation, and investigate ecosystem interactions using advanced scientific methods, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. The successful completion of the first partner meeting marks an important milestone for the project and establishes a strong foundation for effective cooperation, joint research activities, and the achievement of the project’s objectives in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture.
PondSustain Project Grant Agreement Officially Signed under the Interreg Hungary–Croatia Programme
March 21, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stanić
21 March 2026, Osijek, Croatia – The PondSustain project has officially entered its implementation phase following the signing of the Grant Agreement under the Interreg VI-A Hungary–Croatia Programme 2021–2027. The official grant award ceremony was held at the premises of the Osijek-Baranja County, where beneficiaries from the region received their project agreements financed through the Interreg Hungary–Croatia Programme. On behalf of the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Dean Prof. Stela Jokić signed the Grant Agreement for the PondSustain project, led by Prof. Dr. Mirna Habuda-Stanić. The PondSustain project, with a total value of €252,249.47, aims to assess the ecological and economic impact of fishponds in Croatia and Hungary and to support the development of more sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture through cross-border scientific cooperation. The grant agreements were formally presented by State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić from the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Nataša Tramišak, highlighting the importance of European Territorial Cooperation programmes in strengthening regional development and international collaboration. The PondSustain project team would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Osijek-Baranja County Development Agency for its professional support and valuable contribution throughout the project preparation process, which significantly contributed to the successful approval of the project. The official signing of the Grant Agreement marks an important milestone for the project and lays the foundation for the implementation of joint research activities, environmental monitoring, stakeholder cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices in the Croatia–Hungary cross-border region.
This website has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia Programme. The content of the website is the sole responsibility of the University of Osijek Faculty of Food Technology Osijek and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority of the Programme.