Rivers and their ecosystems can be a key part of a region’s physical environment, and clean, healthy rivers are often a major asset. They can boost tourism, provide the local population with access to leisure facilities and help raise the profile of a region, which, in turn, can attract new businesses to the area. However, river regions need to find ways to balance the ecological, aesthetical, social and economic challenges often presented by local factors such as high population density and the decline of traditional industries. The main aim of the operation is to increase awareness across Europe of these river problems in order to encourage both local inhabitants and institutions to become more involved in river management. By cooperating with other regions, the operation intends to influence the development of effective and sustainable river management policies, as well as the increased involvement of people in river issues.