FluidBorder investigates the complex history of Romanian-Bulgarian transboundary management of the lower Danube from the establishment of communist regimes until their collapse in 1989. The project is grounded in two key hypotheses: First, it challenges the assumption that ideological alignment within the Eastern Bloc led to uniform river management strategies. Instead, it argues that local political, economic, and environmental conditions shaped each country’s approach to the Danube in unique ways. Second, it suggests that while outwardly cooperative, the management of the Danube often masked underlying tensions and disputes that influenced the balance of power between ideological allies. FluidBorder will pursue three main objectives: 1) Paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between communism and the environment, highlighting the

numerous factors that shaped environmental conceptions and management strategies in Eastern Europe and the extent to which those factors differed across the region 2) To highlight how the management of natural resources impacted international relations within the Eastern Bloc, adding a new dimension to the international history of communism. 3) To provide a detailed historical account of the lower Danube’s role during the XX century second half, demonstrating how it shaped and was shaped by the evolving relationship between Romania and Bulgaria. Moreover, the project aims to inform contemporary discussions on managing shared natural resources and enhancing collaboration among the countries of the lower Danube’ region, offering lessons relevant to current and future European integration efforts. The river, a crucial geopolitical and economic corridor, remains indeed a key element for the European Union’s southeastern strategy and a vital trade route for Ukraine during the ongoing war.

Fluid Border. Sharing the Lower Danube During the Cold War
European Research Grant Agreement 101207821