Official Title:

Strengthening the Implementation Capacities for Nutrient Reduction and Transboundary Cooperation in the Danube River Basin

(Short name: Danube Regional Project – Tranche 2)

Country/ies:

Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine

PIMS Number

3123

Atlas Project Number

Focal Area

International Waters

Project Type (FSP/MSP)

Strategic Priority

Operational Programme

Date of Entry into Work Programme

Planned Project Duration

ProDoc Signature Date

March 2005 (Ukraine)-last signature, May 2004 Croatia

Original Planned Closing Date

Date of First Disbursement

Tranche 2: June 2004

Revised Planned[1] Closing Date

Revised 1: May 2007

Is this the Terminal APR/PIR?

YES

Date Project Operationally Closed

(if applicable)

31 August 2007

Date Mid Term Evaluation[2] carried out

(if applicable)

14.4. – 26.5. 2004

Date Final Evaluation¹ carried out

(if applicable)

March – May 2007

Dates of visits to project by UNDP country office

Date of last TPR Meeting

22 February 2007

Date of last visit to project by UNDP-GEF RTA

Title

Name

E-mail

Date

Signature

National Project Manager/Coordinator

Ivan.Zavadsky@unvienna.org

Government GEF OFP[3] (optional)

UNDP Country Office Programme Manager

Juerg Staudenmann

Juerg Staudenmann@undp.org

UNDP Regional Technical Advisor

Vladimir Mamaev

Vladimir.Mamaev@undp.org

The Regional Project contributes to sustainable human development in the DRB and to the wider Black Sea area through reinforcing the capacities of the participating countries in developing effective mechanisms for regional cooperation and coordination in order to ensure protection of international waters, sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity.

The specific objective of Tranche 2 of the Project is to set up and strengthen institutional and legal instruments and institutions at the national and regional level to assure nutrient reduction and sustainable management of water bodies and ecological resources, through implementing of concepts, methodologies, projects and programmes developed in the phase 1, involving all stakeholders and building up adequate monitoring and information systems. To reach the project goals and to secure the implementation and consolidation of those basin-wide capacity-building activities, the Project has to build up on the results achieved during the 1st Phase of the Project.

Objective:
Set up institutional and legal instruments to assure nutrient reduction and sustainable management of water bodies and ecological resources.

The overall objective of the Danube Regional Project is to complement the activities of the ICPDR required to provide a regional approach and global significance to the development of national policies and legislation and to the definition of priority actions for nutrient reduction and pollution control with particular attention to achieving sustainable transboundary ecological effects within the DRB and the Black Sea area.

1. All Danube counties have developed and ratified policies and legal instruments for sustainable water management and nutrient reduction and have put in place mechanisms for exacting compliance

· The Danube Convention in force (1998), by the year 2000 10 countries ratified (out of 13) and are cooperating, 11 countries need financial support to be able to participate at work of the ICPDR EGs

· Support needed for all non EU countries

· All Danube countries signed the Convention and are cooperating, participating at the work of the ICPDR EGs and regularly contributing to the budget, financial sustainability of countries participation is guaranteed by the countries..

· EUWFD implementation in the Danube Basin is in line with the time-frame

· National policies and legislation is in line with key EU Directive (WFD, ND, UWWTD, IPPC)

· All 13 Countries signed the Convention and are cooperating, financial support continues for 4 countries (non EU: MD, UA, BiH, SM) to be able to participate at the work of the ICPDR

· Analytical report on Pressures & impact analysis, typology; ecological classification; Economic Analysis; HMWB, Nutrients, etc. used by the ICPDR for Danube Analysis Report

· Roof Report for RBMP (ICPDR policy tool) / Danube Analysis Report prepared, accepted by the countries and submitted to EU.

· Basin-wide Monitoring Report (follow up to the Roof Report) developed, accepted by the countries and submitted to the EU.

2. The ICPDR is the main institutional and operation mechanism for transboundary cooperation and pollution control for all Danube countries and ICPDR tools for water quality monitoring, emission control, accident prevention and information management are fully operational.

· Basic ICPDR tools for water quality monitoring and accident warning are set up, but not reflecting EU WFD requirements; upgrade and development needed.

· New policy tools need to be developed, e.g.RBMP, GIS, particularly for nutrient reduction

· ICPDR tools (TNMN, AEWS, EMIS, GIS) fully harmonized with requirements of the EU WFD, fully operational and results used by the ICPDR and countries

· Inter-ministerial Coordination at national level is strengthened in all Danube countries, in particular in lower DC.

· Joint indicators for environmental status agreed within Danube and Black Sea commission

· TNMN harmonized with EU WFD requirement / annual reporting available, all 13 countries participate (79 stations, 52 determinands in water, 33 in sediments)

· AEWS upgrade – web based notifications tested and used by 13 countries anube GIS Prototype prepared, 1 test dataset for each shapefile template / table

· ICPDR takes over in further development of the Danube GIS

· Report: ‘Impact of the Danube on the Black Sea’ presented to the countries ant the ICPDR high level meeting

· JTWG is functional, working according to the workplan, annual meetings held, 6 meetings since 2002

3. The civil society and in particular national NGOs in all Danube countries are at the end of the Project proactively implicated in national nutrient reduction programmes, have organized workshops and produced in national language information material for awareness raising campaigns and have successfully implemented community based nutrient reduction projects financed under the GEF Small Grants

· DEF established with the GEF support in 1994, needs support for revitalization,

· the network is weak (only 17 members), activities limited.

· EU WFD and Aarhus convention are legal basis for public participation, not incorporated in most of the Danube countries

· NGOs network strengthened – 200 NGOs in the DEF

· Expert capacities of the DEF strengthened particularly in the field of EU WFD implementation

· DEF cooperating with the ICPDR

· Pilot Public Awareness Campaigns in 6 countries

· Regular NGO publications in national languages

· 12 Regional Grant Projects and 112 National Grant Project implemented

· Strengthened public participation and access to information

· 175 NGOs are members of the DEF

· Water policy teams created

· Two DEF bulletins published each year

· Small Grants Programme projects – 114 national and 12 regional projects implemented within duration of the DRP

· Pilot projects in 5 countries to enhance access of public to information.

· Publications prepared to strengthen public access to information and to disseminate lessons learned – in national languages of 5 participating countries; available at: http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/PublicParticipation/DanubeRiverBasin/project_products/default.html

· Public awareness campaigns in Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia implemented

4. The Project and ICPDR have conceptualized and developed a monitoring and evaluation system and has identified the indicators (process, stress reduction and environmental status); knowledge on sedimentation, transport and removal of nutrients and toxic substances is considerably increased and economic instruments to encourage investments for nutrient reduction are accepted and implemented at the national and regional level

· Existing concepts for GEF indicators (process, stress reduction and environmental status) and EEA indicators (DPSIR)– still under discussion and development.

· Knowledge on sediments at Iron Gates and possible impacts on the Danube & Black Sea in the future are very limited,

· Analysis of possibilities to create a ‘Danube Environmental Fund to support the ICPDR Investment Programme

· Set of Indicators for project monitoring and evaluation of results of pollution reduction measures available for the DRP and ICPDR and tested.

· Analysis of Sediments at Iron Gates carried out and potential environmental impact of sediments on the Black Sea assessed.

· Identification of the benefits of wetlands as nutrient reduction / retention facilities and the contribution of wetlands in this role to the WFD Programme of Measures

· Economic instruments for pollution trading are evaluated and a set of recommendations for their implementation prepared for countries

· Set of 35 indicators for agreed with the ICPDR and tested

· Analysis of historical data prepared and sampling cruise at the reservoir completed, analytical country reports from Serbia, Romania, Vituki and synthesis report prepared, summarizing and assessing the results of the sampling cruise and proposing further steps

· Technical guidance document on the integration of the nutrient reduction function in riverine wetland management

· Study on pollution trading and relevant economic instruments prepared and disseminated among stakeholders at ministerial level through a basin-wide workshop.

· Update on measures for Agricultural nutrient reduction

5. Investments in sewerage and municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP-M)

Priority municipal projects identified by countries (5Years nutrient reduction plan prepared within UNDP DPRP)

Within the Danube basin 210 municipal projects are planned until year 2015

· Within the Danube Basin, 26 municipal projects are underway and have 100% funds secured

· 19 project completed by 2003

· 50 project completed by 2005

6. Reduction of total nitrogen loads

7. Reduction of total phosphorus loads

According to the Danube Water Quality Model (1999, data 1994-97), the annual loads from the Danube to the Black Sea are 552 kt/year of Nitrogen and 48.9 t/year of Phosphorus

· Expected reduction of Nitrogen loads is 21% (119 kt/y),

· Expected reduction of Phosphorus loads is 32% (16 kt/y),

· Reduction of N emissions is 4,915 t/y, of P emissions 977 t/7 from projects completed in 2003

· Reduction of N emissions is 10,562 t/y, of P emissions 2,224 t/y from projects completed by 2005

· (DABLAS II / JAP 2004 reporting)

Outcome 1:
All Danube River Basin countries are implementing nutrient reduction policies and legal instruments and measures for exacting compliance, with particular attention to the EU WFD, IWRM, BAPs, BATs practices, appropriate land use and wetland management and economic instruments.

8. Acceptance of the Danube RBMP by ICPDR and individual countries

· Start of implementation of the EU WFD, support needed for the EU accession and non accession countries.

· In 2000 the countries agreed that the ICPDR will be a platform for EU WFD implementation in the DRB.

· The ICPDR capacity to coordinate the DRB management planning process strengthened through tools and mechanisms developed

· Enhanced capacities of the 4 DRB countries (Bosnia i Hercegovina, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro and Ukraine) that are either not in the EU already nor an EU candidate country, to understand and then implement the river basin management planning approaches prescribed by the EU WFD needed to assure that all 13 DRB countries are involved at the same level to manage the DRB sustainable

· ICPDR coordinates the reporting for the EU WFD implementation in the Danube River Basin

· The work plan of the ICPDR EGs is in line with the EU WFD implementation tasks

· 4 Non EU countries voluntarily participate on the EU WFD reporting

· Workshops on Surface Waters, Ground Waters, Risk of Failure, HMWB, 3 trainings on assessment of water bodies (AQEM training) organized to strengthen expert capacities of the ICPDR for EU WFD implementation, 80 experts participated at each wshop.

9. National reports on environmental characteristics and economic analysis in line with EU WFD existing;

· Transboundary Analysis (TDA) of the DRB – carried out within the UNDP Danube Pollution Reduction Programme (DPRP) 1998 – 11 GEF eligible countries participated.

Ability of 13 countries to commonly manage the Danube River Basin, in a consistent approach, coordinated by the ICPDR, enhanced leading to the development of the first Danube River Basin Management Plan, according to the EU Water Framework Directive, using the policy guidelines (Economic analysis etc.), methodologies, and tools (DRB GIS etc.) developed;

· EU WFD Danube Roof report completed and agreed by 13 countries

· Danube Analysis Report prepared, translated into 7 languages and basin-wide distributed.

10. River basin management practices and gaps in relation of WFD requirements identified

· Basic monitoring data available

· ICPDR will have all monitoring tools in place in order to fill data gaps – by 2006

· The ICPDR will harmonise approaches / methodologies or, at least, make them comparable throughout the Danube basin

· ICPDR will prepare a Programme of Measures by 2009

· Monitoring tools upgraded (TNMN - 79 sampling stations, 52 determinands in water and 33 in sediments, AQC implemented

· Work on Intercalibration for harmonization finalized and further continuation taken over by the ICPDR

11. GIS and related data base for RBM Planning

· 11 basic thematic maps for TDA available from UNDP DPRP, only partly in line with the EU WFD.

· Danube thematic maps for EU WFD reporting prepared

· Danube GIS Prototype tested and further developed by the ICPDR

· Data from all countries available

· 16 Danube thematic maps prepared in line with EU WFD requirements

· Danube GIS Prototype developed and ready for testing and further use, ICPDR takes over further development

· Data for 8 countries available

12. Pilot River Basin Plans in line with EU WFD

No RBM planning for sub-basins

Sub-basin management planning approach developed through 1 pilot project (Sava Basin) in 4 countries

Support for development of Sava RBMP provided - WFD gap analysis, transboundary issues and measeures, structure of the River Basin Management Plan are agreed with 4 participating countries

13. Adoption of BAP in national policy - Concepts for best agricultural practices in line with EU requirements for central and downstream Danube countries are elaborated and discussed in workshops

· BAP in national policies of EU countries only

· Farmers in the DRB are using traditional methods. According to TDA 1998, about 50% of Nutrient discharges are coming from the agriculture sector

· The integration of water quality objectives related to agriculture nutrient pollution into agriculture policies increased in 11 Danube countries.

· New agricultural policies for controlling non-point sources of pollution from agriculture accepted by policy makers based on broadly disseminated nation-specific BAP concepts

· A number of support documents prepared for countries to prepare for agriculture policy changes (Inventories on agricultural non-point pollution sources(N&P); pesticide use; agricultural fertilizer and manure use; policies; Recommendations for policy reforms and BAP use; Guidelines on Manure use, also in 6 Danube basin languages;

· Workshop: EU WFD and Agriculture – participation of 80 experts

14. National experts are trained to introduce best agricultural practices in their countries

· No specific BAP available

· BAP accepted by farmers in the field in DRB countries.

· 1000 farmers made aware of best agricultural practices for reducing agricultural nutrient emissions

· 2 basin-wide workshops with participation from 7 countries

· 5 seminars and trainings at national and local level

· 14 farmers trained as trainers

· visit of a farm in Denmark – 40 participants from countries

· farmers aware of the BAP, through several broadcastings on national TV and Radio of Serbia, interviews and articles in national newspapers and magazines specialized on agriculture

15. Internet information on the introduction of best agricultural practices in each DRB country

Web-site with information of the BAPs used in pilot projects operational

Web-site operational

http://www.carlbrodrp.org.yu/

16. Pilot projects on practical BAP implementation, training and institutional support to expand BAP practices are carried out and demonstration workshops of experiences in pilot projects conducted

No pilot projects

· Point and non-point source agricultural nutrient emissions reduced in 5 pilot sites.

· BAPs implemented in 100 farms,

· 100 farmers in lower DRB aware of and applying best agricultural practices

· 7 pilot projects implemented / lessons learned disseminated

· Financial implications evaluated in 7 pilot farms

· more than 100 farmers aware of BAPs

17. Pilot project monitoring and progress evaluation regarding financial implications is performed

18. Three concepts for land use reforms of selected wetland are discussed with stakeholders

Appropriate integrated land – use concepts are missing, as well as an assessment methodology

Appropriate Land-Use Concepts accepted by local stakeholders and being implemented in 3 pilot sites in 3 respective countries leading to wetland/floodplain protection and rehabilitation of approximately 7,000 hectares

· Inventory of Protected Areas, covering 237 sites - database and map - input also for Natura 2000, required by EU WFD

· Methodology for Land-use Assessment was tested at 3 pilot sites (SK, HR, RO) and 3 on-sites stakeholders workshops organized with participation of 30 experts at each workshop

· Specific proposals for final land-use concepts at each pilot site

· Land-use concepts implemented in projects at 3 pilot sites under implementation (Slovakia, Romania and Croatia), total area 4,400 hectares

19. New concepts for wetland areas are endorsed by governments (legal and institutional reform for integration of environmental and economic issues is prepared)

20. DRB workshop on project results and conclusions

Proper land-use and wetland management are not a priority for countries

· Capacities of key stakeholders ( i.e. government, NGOs, private sector etc.) built in 11 DRB countries for implementing appropriate land-use policies to reduce pressures on wetland and floodplain areas in the DRB

· Basin –wide workshop on Integrated Land-use and Wetlands management organized

· Methodology and Pilot Site Testing with Special Reference to Wetland and Floodplain Management prepared

· 1 preparatory workshop organized 20 participants

· Basin-wide workshop for wetland managers from government, NGOs and private sector organized, with participation of 45 experts from the Danube Basin

21. Assessment of the progress in existing legislative and enforcement status is elaborated

· Review on national policies in general, prepared within pdf-B in 2000

· Some of the project beneficiary countries were in EU accession process, preparing for adopting EU legislation

· The integration of water quality objectives related to industrial pollution into industrial policy and regulatory framework according to EU Directive on Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control enhanced in 11 Danube countries.

· Capacities of non EU countries to implement BAT / IPPC are strengthened

· Review of policies in 11 countries and the identification of gaps between EU and existing and future legislation for industrial pollution control and enforcement mechanisms

· Report on Implementation of BAT /IPPC in 11DRB countries

· Report on Implementation of BAT in 4 non-accession countries

· Road Map for implementing BAT in Serbia & Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova and Ukraine

· Workshops – programme of training and dissemination

· An examination of alternatives for the further support for the application of Best Available Techniques in the DRB;

· 3 trainings on BAT & IPPC for experts from BiH, UA, MD

22. DRB countries have adapted national legislation in line with the EU

23. Increased awareness of and knowledge about BAT through workshops and training

24. Case studies on environmentally friendly production technologies in industries in particular countries are performed

Priorities for pollution reduction revised, based on improved methodology for emissions inventories (reflecting the EU directives requirements on reporting) and on better understanding of cause and effect relationships

· Undertaking of 5 reviews of industrial complexes as case studies on BAT.

25. Knowledge and understanding on the benefits and costs of various alternative concepts are improved

Most of the municipalities are not aware of concepts for cost – benefits of tariffs and charges

Awareness of policy options for improved collection of water and wastewater service tariffs and fees in all 11 Danube countries and in most municipalities enhanced.

· Two basin wide workshops organized to present the T&C reforms to the countries, 50 experts and high-level country representatives participated.

· The current conditions related to regional or Municipal Water and Wastewater Utilities examined in 7 countries in general

· Possible tariff and effluent charge reforms identified and evaluated for 7 countries and 7 municipalities as case studies were evaluated

· 7 municipalities where the reforms are considered, in 2 municipalities adopted and models applied

26. Increased awareness of municipalities on policy options on the economic value of water, including consideration and adoption of reforms and understanding and application of models for tariffs and charges calculation in a number of municipalities

· Municipalities are not aware of economic value of water and of policy options related to reforms on tariffs and charges

· No methodology for tariffs and charges calculation available, which would consider policy reforms

· policy reforms considered in 40 municipalities and adopted in 20

· tariff reforms considered in 60 municipalities and adopted in 20

· financial models understood in 100 municipalities and applied in 40

27. Economic and financial viability of the tariffs reform for the water companies in specific countries are ensured

Ministries and affected agencies of 11 DRB countries are aware of the effects of the current effluent charges designs on revenues, water and wastewater tariffs, and pollution abatement investments.

· ASTEC model developed (Accounts Simulation for Tariffs and Effluent Charges), tested in 2 municipalities – Pitesti (Romania) and Karlovac (Croatia)

· Training workshop for ASTEC organized with participation 11 experts in total.

· A number of regional meetings and dissemination workshops at national level – 470 experts and country representatives participated

· Information sheets on T&C prepared also in national languages and distributed

28. Improved knowledge on the best tariff alternatives is ensured for all stakeholders

Ministries or affected agencies of 3 DRB countries are actively considering changing their emission charges to encourage reduction in nutrients and toxics.

29. Information on the cost-benefits of incentives based on instruments is discussed and disseminated

Ministries or affected agencies of 3 DRB countries and 6 selected demonstration municipalities have used financial modeling to test the consequences of possible reforms in the design of their effluent charges.

30. Agreement on phase out of phosphates in detergents and governments commitment to implement related recommendations

Voluntary agreements on phase-out of phosphates in detergents applied only in Austria and Germany

Voluntary Agreement on the Phase-out of Phosphates in detergent developed in cooperation with stakeholders that leads to implementation resulting in a projected 24% reduction of P from point sources of pollution and 12% reduction in Total P Loads from the DRB to the Black Sea

· Voluntary agreement is not possible, a legal ban has to be implemented (example: Czech republic had a voluntary agreement , but did not work)

· ICPDR / DRP Task Force on Detergents established, recommendations for policy implementation in 11 countries prepared

· P-free detergents available in 3 countries, 1 will introduce legislation, others need to consider legislation

31. Lessons on phosphorus reduction are learned during implementation of new phasing-out programme for P-detergents

32. Introduction of P-free detergents

33. Implementation of the main EU directive -Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC

EU WFD in force in 2000

· In 9 EU countries the EU WFD is implemented

· 4 non EU countries are committed to comply with requirements

· In 9 EU countries the EU WFD is implemented

· 4 non EU countries comply with requirements

Outcome 2:
Countries are cooperating under the ICPDR as main institutional and organizational mechanism for transboundary cooperation, pollution and nutrient control, using improved water quality monitoring, emission control, emergency warning and accidental prevention and information management tools.

34. Improved coordination of national activities - Inter-ministerial Committees established as needed

Inter-ministerial coordination exists in some countries

Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Mechanisms functioning in 10 Danube countries in order to develop, implement and follow up national policies, legislation and projects for nutrient reduction and pollution control

· Analysis of IMCM was carried out in 10 countries, recommendations were prepared

· 6 countries needed to strengthen their IMC capacities,

· Four working consultation meetings in selected countries finalized in June 2007

35. Existing structures and mechanisms for implementation of environmental policies and legislation analyzed

36. Adequate structures proposed in cooperation with relevant ministerial departments

37. Classification of water quality objectives and nutrient and toxics quality conditions is finalized

Set of determinands for water quality monitoring – TNMN operation, not harmonized with EU WFD

Enhanced capacity of countries to develop policy measures for nutrients and toxic substances reduction based on improved monitoring water quality for toxic substances and nutrients in line with EU WFD requirements, assessment of environmental stress – impact relationship, based on use of common harmonized classification system and standards

· TNMN harmonized with EU WFD requirement / annual reporting available, all 13 countries participate (79 stations, 52 determinands in water, 33 in sediments), upgrade and proposal for SOPs for new determinants prepared

· Environmental quality objectives and standards for nutrients and other Danube specific priority substances proposed

38. Inventories of emissions from priority point and non-point sources (“hot spots”) for P and N are revised

· List of hot spots (TDA 1997)

· Emission inventory 2000 (252 industrial and 555 municipal sources)

· Analysis of the results of the EMIS inventory and their comparison with TNMN and JDS results

· EMIS inventory updated, additional 60 sources identified

39. Inventory of priority chemicals in line with EU are updated

EU list of priority substances under development

· Danube List of Priority substances developed – 29 priority substances

40. Swift and coordinated response to accidents

PIACs operational in 10 Countries, communication is through a satellite – not cost efficient.

Swifter and better coordinated response to accidents increased in all 13 Danube countries through reinforcement of PIACs (accident alert centers) and geographical extension in Bosnia i Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro

· Standard forms and web-based communication solution for information exchange in emergency cases used by all 13 countries PIACs

41. Guidelines on accidental pollution prevention are reviewed

42. National stations - PIACs for MD, UA, BiH, SM are fully operational

43. Reduction of accidental spills - Inventory and assessment of high accident risks spots are completed in all countries

44. Cooperation on preventive and emergency measures is improved

Hot spots identified within UNDP/DPRP – Transboundary Analysis

Reduction of risk of accidents through implementation of check-list methodology used in 50 industrial locations / companies, identified as sites with highest risk potential

· Accident Risk Spots ranking methodology (M1methodology) prepared

· ARS Inventory carried out – 261 sites identified 157 sites evaluated

· M2 Methodology tested, pilot project on Refineries – implementation of a check list methodology, training provided for 15 experts

45. DBAM is improved to respond to pollution transport issues

DBAM developed

DBAM updated , to be used with MS Windows XP

· DBAM updated to MS W-XP

46. Enlarged set of users of Danubis Information System web site; intensification of use

· Limited number of users and knowledge how to use the system,

· Limited access rights

· 100 users

· Knowledge of the users how to use the system and all its functionalities is increased

· 8000 hits/month of Danubis and 8000 hits/month for project website in 2006-02-06

· Training on the Danubis users provided at central level 25 persons and at national level – 11 countries – 12 experts trained in each.

· 630 registered users

· 18,000 hits / month average

47. Networking within DANUBIS by all ICPDR contracting parties is realized

48. Mechanisms of having access to information are available

· Danubis established, based on Oracle, high maintenance costs

· Computer Equipment required in the countries

Management of information for the ICPDR on work to manage the DRB enhanced for 130 experts involved in the ICPDR (Secretariat, national experts working on ICPDR expert groups etc.) by the improvement of the DANUBIS information system as evidenced by an expansion of the information available as well as the use of the system (from 1500 hits per month in 2002 to 8,000 hits per month in 2006)

· Upgrade of the Danubis at the central level – 1 new server; Change of the platform for the System; open-source system implemented

· and national level – 36 PC sets provided to countries..

· 18,000 hits / month average

49. Interactive DANUBIS web site is operational

· Information provided for public is limited, no info about the Danube, environmental issues, ICPDR activities,

· ‘very dry’

Increased public awareness of DRB problems, issues and solutions (including initiatives of the ICPDR, NGOs etc.) due to an improved, more user-friendly ICPDR and project web site respectively as evidenced by an increase in hits to the web pages from 1000 hits per month in 2002 to 8,000 hits per month in 2006.

· ICPDR public web site is improved, more attractive, provided with more information about the Danube, environmental issues, ICPDR and its activities, 18,000 hits / month average in sept05-sept06

· Concept for Restructuring of the internal area of the ICPDR Info system prepared in order to improve performance of the system, and respond to new requirements from the point of view of technologies and the information requests

· New design for internal area of the Information system developed and tested for new structure of the Danubis

· New content management system under implementation – continuation of work taken over by the ICPDR

50. Joint work programme for MoU is applied

· Memorandum of Understanding signed,

· JTWG established, revitalization needed, including development of a workplan and set of agreed indicators for assessment of the Danube impact on the BS NW shelf

Joint policy-making framework established and functioning in DRB and Black Sea region for reduction of discharges of nutrients and hazardous substances into the Black Sea.

· Status indicators to monitor nutrient and hazardous substances transport from the Danube and change of ecosyst. in the Black Sea defined and agreed upon

· Report: ‘Impact of the Danube on the Black Sea’ presented to the countries ant the ICPDR high level meeting

51. Reports are produced according to new rules

· Reporting procedure defined and agreed upon

52. Agreement on regular meetings is concluded

· Annual JTWG meetings organized (in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007)

· D-BS Strategic Partnership Stocktaking meeting organized in 2004, with participation of 80 high level country representatives of the ICPDR, BSC, GEF, UNDP and other experts

· DRP Final Seminar organized in February 2007, followed up with a High level Ministerial Conference, where a new Declaration on the Enhancement of Cooperation for water protection has been adopted.

53. Knowledge, professional skills and understanding on nutrient reduction issues are enhanced

54. Training evaluation is updated

· Skills of experts on basic level,

· Countries need support for participation at ICPDR activities

· Key Danube institutions (e.g. ICPDR) that are managing the DRB enhanced via the building of capacities of 130 experts involved in ICPDR expert groups, ICPDR Secretariat etc.

· Essential Danube stakeholder groups strengthened in their abilities to reduce pollution due to increased capacities of 300 stakeholder representatives (e.g. environmental NGOs, wetland managers, municipal authorities, agricultural extension service reps., industrial operators etc.)

· Capacities of the ICPDR EG Chairs and Secretariat were strengthened through a Training on Facilitation Skills, 35 persons participated

· Workshop on Further future of the ICPDR supported the development process of the Commission, 65 country representatives participated

· Workshops on EU WFD Implementation at national level have strengthened capacities of experts in 4 countries - policy makers/ senior ministry officials in MD, SM and BiH, RO, in total 80 experts participated

· Support for 11 countries to participate ant the regular ICPDR EG meeting provided until the end of 2006, 80-100 persons supported per year

· In 2007, countries are using own resources to cover participation of expert s and regular EG meetings

Outcome 3:
Public concern, participation and response to ecological issues has increased through Small Grants Programme, awareness raising campaigns, regular NGO publications and work of the DEF network

Public participation and access to information was enhanced at national and local level.

55. Sustainable DEF secretariat -optimal operation of DEF secretariat is achieved, Improved capacities of the NGOs

· DEF established with the GEF support in 1994, needs support for revitalization,

· the network is weak (only 17 members), activities limited

· Sustainable operation of the DEF Secretariat achieved , leading the further expansion and effectiveness of the network;

· Community involvement increased through an expanded and strengthened network (from 30 NGO organizations as members in 2002 to over 200 NGO organizations as members in 2006) to undertake awareness raising and pollution reduction activities in 11 DRB countries;

· enhanced cooperation between governments and NGOs; improved capacity for fund raising

· Increased capacity of the DEF secretariat –staffing, qualification, expert team on water policy established

· Network strengthened – 175 NGOs

· National focal points in 11 countries active

· 2 DEF bulletins regularly published per year also in other Danube languages

· concept for fund rising and financial sustainability prepared,

56. Knowledge on nutrient and toxic are improved, reports on nutrient and toxic, in national languages, are published

No training manuals on wetlands for NGOs, training skills need strengthening

NGOs have increased knowledge on wetlands and nutrient issues and are informed about revitalization measures.

· Training material on ‘Wetlands and Nutrient reduction’ prepared, training provided in 11 countries with participation of 15 experts per country

· Training manual available in 5 languages

57. Cooperation between NGOs and governments is strengthened

DEF is not actively participating at the ICPDR activities

Active involvement of DEF members in policy development and pollution reduction activities assured through partnerships with DRB governments (e.g. activities to involve the public in DRB Management Planning process in the frame of the EU Water Framework Directive etc.)

· DEF is represented at the ICPDR EG meetings and regular high level meeting as observer.

· Water policy teams created, to participate in EU WFD Implementation also at national level

58. Increased awareness with the public of Danube environmental problems - Public campaigns are implemented

Danube Watch published with previous support from the UNDP/GEF Pollution Reduction Programme

· Awareness of general public on the Danube, environmental issues and the ICPDR and its activities is increased

· Public awareness activities of the ICPDR are sustainable

· Awareness of public in overall DRB on the importance of pollution reduction and environmental challenges has been enhanced through targeted communication activities and campaigns (farmers, municipalities, wetland mangers, environmental NGOs, etc. )

· Danube Day has been established as an annual event and a platform to raise awareness on pollution control in 13 Danube countries. An estimate of 1 million people have been actively participating in Danube Day activities throughout the region during the last years

· In 2005 the Danube Day was initiated with heavy support from the DRP, all 13 countries participated with local activities

· In 2006, the Danube Day was organized fully by the ICPDR through DEF network at national level, DRP support was minor, all 13 countries participated.

· 4 campaigns implemented by the DEF in 4 countries

59. Efficient and effective NGO involvement through one regional and two local grants programmes

· Small Grants Programme within previous GEF project

· NGOs have no funds for implementing small projects

Awareness of nutrient pollution and toxic substance problems in the DRB and involvement of DRB communities in 11 DRB countries enhanced via 120 national small grant funded projects led by national environmental NGOs and 12 regional small grant projects involving 35 NGOs working on transboundary problems

· 6 regional and 58 national projects implemented within the 1st call, 25 project monitored

· 6 regional and 56 national project implemented within the 2nd call.

· Specific Regional Project for Prut RBMP implemented - led by Romanian NGO CESEP http://prut-rbmp.cesep.ro/, in cooperation with Moldova and Ukraine

60. Sufficient and reliable information for mass media purposes are prepared and published

No communication strategy available

· Communication Strategy is prepared and implemented for the DRP and its specific selected project components,

· Communication Strategy developed and implemented also for the ICPDR and the DEF

· DRP Communication Strategy developed

· 6 DRP press releases

· DRP fact sheets on 6 main themes: River Basin Management, Agriculture, Industry and Municipal, Wetlands, Public Participation and Institutional Strengthening (two editions prepared)

· DEF press releases

· 2 DRP/ICPDR Posters and 3 Brochures on Project (two editions),Public participation and Danube Analysis

· Production and dissemination of a publication: ’15 years of Managing the Danube River Basin 1991-2006’ , to give a brief overview of 15 years of GEF intervention in the Danube Region.

· Preparation and dissemination of a data DVD with all project reports and results

61. Basin-wide documents are periodically published

Danube Watch published only with external support

ICPDR has become a public oriented institution through enhanced quality of communication and by using awareness raising tools and sustainable means of communication as the Danube Watch Magazine and the web-page

· ICPDR Communication Strategy

· 4 issues of the Danube Watch published

· Danubis public website upgraded 1000 hits per month in average

· ICPDR visual identity strengthened through improved logo, design of reports

62. Implementation of Aarhus Convention

63. Implementation of art. 14 of the EU WFD, 2000/60/E – Public Information and Consultation; access to information

64. Strengthened capacity of governmental officials to implement public involvement and of national NGOs to become more effectively involved in implementation of the EU WFD;

65. Strengthened cooperation between government officials, NGOs and other stakeholders;

66. Country-specific strategies, measures and practical arrangements supporting NGOs ,citizens and communities involvement in water resources management and pollution control

· Aarhus convention,

· EU WFD art. 14 on PP

· Access to Information on DRB hot spots improved in 5 DRB countries through increased capacities of 100 governmental officials and 100 key stakeholders (environmental NGOs etc.) as well as through the appropriate legal frameworks and tools for providing information that were developed

· Pollution reduction processes initiated at 5 hot spots via the conducting of 5 pilot projects that were agreed with the respective key stakeholders for each site based on improved access to information.

· Two study tours: USA and the Netherlands, 10 governmental and 5 NGO participant at each

· Specific manuals and guidelines on involvement of citizens and communities in water management issues

· Two Basin-wide stakeholder workshop at each, with participation of 90 country representatives

· Basin wide Dissemination workshop with participation of 50 representatives from involved countries

Outcome 4:
The ICPDR and DRP are using system of indicators (process, stress reduction and environmental status in line with EU and international reporting requirements) to follow-up and evaluate results of projects and measures, specific attention is paid to effectiveness of economic instruments for nutrient reduction, wetland removal capacities and assessment of accumulated pollutants in Iron Gates sediments.

67. Monitoring and evaluation system for project implementation is operational

GEF concept for indicators for process, stress reduction and environmental status available; specific report on indicators prepared during PDF-b phase

Status of DRB environment as well as progress and impacts of interventions (especially the UNDP/GEF DRP) monitored by comprehensive, tested and functioning system of indicators for monitoring and evaluation at project level and policy compliance in the 13 DRB countries.

Agreement on set of Indicators for testing, to be used for the project outputs and fully used by the ICPDR

68. Indicators are applied for emissions and water quality (stress reduction), progress of projects (process) and impact of measures (environm. status)

69. Guidelines for the use of monitoring and impact indicators are available

70. Assessment of the sediment contents and impact on environment and health in relation to the sediments dynamics are analyzed

Some historical data from Romania and Serbia on Iron Gates available

The understanding of the impacts on Danube River and Black Sea ecosystem and potential risks of hazardous substances, nutrients and silicates in Iron Gate reservoir sediments increased and programmes developed.

Data gap analysis carried out in two involved countries, as needed input for a sampling cruise at Iron Gate reservoir

71. Recommendations, control measures and monitoring programmes are proposed

72. Observation programme to assess annual removal capacities is implemented

A study for defining priority wetland and floodplain rehabilitation sites: ‘Evaluation of Wetlands and Floodplain Areas in the DRB, including Inventory of selected wetland areas’ – prepared in the UNDP DPRP (1999)

Nutrient removal and storage functions in 2 Danube wetland/floodplain sites being assessed (estimated 20 year observation period) using the developed methodological approach for monitoring and assessment;

· 3 Pilot projects implemented– Moldova, Romania and Ukraine,

· Technical guidance document on the integration of the nutrient reduction function in riverine wetland management prepared, using results from the 3 pilot projects

73. Effects on pollution removal are assessed and quantified and wetland management schemes are identified

· Monitoring approaches for assessing nutrient removal in wetlands and floodplains accepted by DRB wetland managers as well as DRB policy makers and being used;

· Nutrient removal and storage functions of wetlands and floodplains enhanced through agreement on a DRB wetland management plan.

· A basin-wide workshop organized in April 2007 to disseminate project results on activities related to Wetlands, participation of 45 experts

· A basin-wide workshop organized in May 2007 to present activities related to Nutrients, participation of 30 experts

74. DRB governments agree on wetland management plan

75. Economic instruments for nutrient reduction analyzed elaborated

Analysis of possibilities to create a ‘Danube Environmental Fund to support the ICPDR Investment Programme: ‘Financing pollution reduction measures in the DRB: present situation and suggestion for new instruments’ (prepared by UNDP DPRP, 1999)

Understanding by policy makers, regulators, polluters and investors of potential of innovative market-based nutrient pollution control instruments to reduce the nutrient pollution in DRB enhanced.

Danube Basin Study on pollution trading and related economic instruments for nutrient reduction; basin-wide workshop organized to disseminate the results of the study and improve understanding of pollution trading concept in the DRB.

76. Assessment on legal and policy issues related to economic instruments in DRB countries

77. Needs and barriers for “pollution trading” studied

2006 Rating

2007 Rating

Comments

National Project Manager/Coordinator

· By the date of completion the project met all objectives. This report confirms and provide clear evidence that great majority of outputs were delivered and the outcomes were met or exceeded. Number of additional benefits for the Danube countries and the ICPDR were achieved within the project; in the project outcome 1 on policies development, where the project provided support for the EU WFD Implementation in the Danube Basin and where the focus was also on non EU countries.

· Extraordinary results were achieved also in the project outcome 3 on public participation and communication, with over 120 small grants projects implemented, local campaigns, NGO network strengthening, Danube Day initiating, enhancing access of public to information and many other communication activities.

· The project component 1.8: Detergents brought slightly different outcome, since it was recognized, that it is not possible to achieve a voluntary agreement on P-free detergents, and therefore, legislative ban has to be in place. The project prepared a set of recommendations for countries, which were approved by the ICPDR.

Government GEF OFP[9] (optional)

UNDP Country Office

UNDP Regional Technical Advisor

The project has met all objectives as described in the project document and workplan. The final workshop and ministerial conference conducted in February 2007 confirmed the highly successful project implementation and praised the project team for excellent results. The Project exit strategy outlines how the project outcomes will be sustain by the ICPDR and the participating countries. The project team is working on the best practice notes to be shared with the GEF IW community through the IW:Learn.

Action to be Taken

By Whom?

By When?

Project Outcomes

Key Outputs

Outcome 1:
All Danube River Basin countries are implementing nutrient reduction policies and legal instruments and measures for exacting compliance, with particular attention to the EU WFD, IWRM, BAPs, BATs

1. River Basin Management - Specific analytical documents for the RBMP - Roof Report (Economic analysis, Ground Waters, HMWB, etc.), Danube GIS Prototype

2. Agriculture – Series of reports: inventories, policy review, manuals, BAPs concept, 4 Pilot Project, training

3. Tariffs and Charges – ASTEC model for water t&c calculations, two pilot projects for ASTEC testing

4. Report on Detergents

Outcome 2:
Countries are cooperating under the ICPDR as main institutional and organizational mechanism for transboundary cooperation, pollution and nutrient control, using improved water quality monitoring, emission control, emergency warning and accidental prevention and information management tools.

1. ICPDR WQ Tools – WQ standards harmonized with EU WFD, TNMN determinants update and harmonization

2. Accident Response – M2 methodology for assessment of contaminated sites in flood risk areas, check-list methodology and implementation in Pilot project on Refineries, training on check-list use

3. ICPDR Information System restructuring and implementation of a new design and CMS for internal area

4. Capacity building workshops for ICPDR experts, Heads of Delegations, support for EG meetings

Outcome 3:
Public concern, participation and response to ecological issues has increased through Small Grants Programme, awareness raising campaigns, regular NGO publications and work of the DEF network

Public participation and access to information was enhanced at national and local level.

1. DEF Publications (bulletins, publication on Wetlands); NGO expert database, DEF web site

2. Small Grants Programme Project – 114 national and 12 regional projects implemented within the project

3. DRP and ICPDR Communication Strategy; 4 public awareness campaigns (Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia), Project publications: DRP and public participation; DRP and Danube Analysis; publication “15 years of Managing the Danube Rivere Basin 1991 – 2006”, highlighting the years of GEF intervention in the Danube region

4. Public access to information - 4 pilot projects in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia - Herzegovina, country specific manuals and guidelines for public access to information, publication “Flowing Freely” to disseminate lessons learned from this project component

Outcome 4:
The ICPDR and DRP are using system of indicators (process, stress reduction and environmental status in line with EU and international reporting requirements) to follow-up and evaluate results of projects and measures, specific attention is paid to effectiveness of economic instruments for nutrient reduction, wetland removal capacities and assessment of accumulated pollutants in Iron Gates sediments.

1. Final Report on Testing of a selection of Core Indicators to Monitor Stress Redicution, Status and Process for the UNDP/GEF DRP

2. Synthesis report, summarizing and assessing historical data and the results of the sampling cruise at Iron Gates reservoir and proposing further steps.

3. Three wetland Pilot projects implemented (Romania, Moldova, Ukraine) and results used in the Technical guidance document on the integration of the nutrient reduction function in riverine wetland management

4. Report: Danube Basin study on pollution trading and corresponding economic instruments for nutrient reduction; basin-wide workshop on pollution trading and economic instruments

2006 Rating

2007 Rating

Comments

National Project Manager/Coordinator

· All major project components were completed as originally foreseen in the project document and the project implementation plan.

· The project had full support from the ICPDR, the relevant project activities are fully harmonized with the work programmes of the Expert Groups.

· The DRP cooperated closely with the Black Sea project in implementation of some project components, given that the projects are sharing 3 beneficiary countries. Particular attention was also given to transfer of lessons learned from the Danube Basin.

Government GEF OFP[11] (optional)

UNDP Country Office

UNDP Regional Technical Advisor

The project has successfully delivered all outputs foreseen in the project document. All components of the project were completed. Project team can be congratulated for extremely successful project implementation. Final evaluation completed with highly successful ratings for project implementation.

Action to be Taken

By Whom?

By When?

Risk Type

Date Identified

Risk Description

Risk Management Response

Change Made to:

Yes/No

Reason for Change

Project Objective

Project Outcomes

Project Outputs/ Activities / Inputs

Change

Reason for Change

Name of Partner or Contributor

(including the Private Sector)

Nature of Contributor[12]

Amount used in Project Preparation

(PDF A, B)

Amount committed in Project Document[13]

Additional amounts committed after Project Document finalization¹¹

Estimated Total Disbursement to

30 June 2007

Expected Total Disbursement by end of project

GEF Contribution

Cash Cofinancing – UNDP Managed

UNDP(TRAC)

Cash Cofinancing – Partner Managed

In-Kind Cofinancing

Total Cofinancing

Total for Project

$25.118 m

Financial Instrument

Financial Institution Responsible for Management

Basis for Selection of Financial Institution

Name of Financial Instrument:

Source of Funds

(add rows for each source)

Funds Committed in Project Document

Amount Disbursed to Date

Issues or Comments

2006 Rating

Comments

National Project Manager/Coordinator

Government GEF OFP

UNDP Country Office

UNDP Regional Technical Advisor

Overall Rating

Action to be Taken

By Whom?

By When?

i. Excellent Cooperation with the ICPDR and its structures (co-executing agency and primary beneficiary) resulting in improved administrative and technical capacities to cooperate. The ICPDR was formed to implement the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC) and is since 2000 the platform for coordinating the implementation of the EU WFD in the DRB. The strength (and maturity) of the ICPDR together with the EU accession process has contributed to the successful implementation of the DRP.

The project participated, together with relevant contractors where appropriate, in all Expert Groups Meetings organized by the ICPDR. In this way the UNDP/GEF Project had the full overview and understanding and could thereby provide the best assistance and input to the further development of the work, and provide a rapid response to the inevitable changing needs of the ICPDR and the work of the Countries of the Danube Basin. Further, these commonly implemented activities served to improve administrative and technical capacities at the national level based on guidelines and requirements set by the ICPDR and the Project. In this way, the GEF project played a catalytic role in stimulating DRB countries to meet their commitments to the DRPC and increasingly the WFD. This encouraged national governments to develop appropriate structures for regional cooperation that facilitate the strengthening of good governance in the Danube River Basin.

Linking Global Environment issues to EU Water Framework Directive. A key lesson learned is the benefit of a close link between global environmental objectives and an appropriate legislative framework. The EU WFD represents, perhaps, the most comprehensive water legislation in the world. It provided an excellent basis for the implementation of the DRP given commonly shared principles such as a basin-wide holistic approach, ecosystem management etc. By linking project activities closely with the WFD and its implementation, the DRP was able both increasing the ability to meet global environmental objectives in the frame of the project, but also establishing the basis for the sustainability of project results as well as the mechanisms for ongoing improvements after the life of the project.

ii. Appropriate Level of Public Participation. The DRP put a large emphasis on supporting increased public participation in DRB cooperation. An important lesson learned is that it is critical to focus on developing appropriate public participation mechanisms and strategies given specific level of activity (regional, national, sub-basin, local.) The DRP developed grassroots level (bottoms-up) activities via the Small Grants Programme, as well as supported the development of the Danube Environmental Forum (DEF) which, as a regional network is capable of working at all levels, sub-basin, national or local levels through its constituent members. A specific project component has been implemented to improve access to information for key stakeholders in four downstream countries and to enhance their abilities to address priority sources of pollution (hot spots) in the DRB.

iii. Developing Appropriate Training Activities. By first undertaking a training needs assessment, the DRP learned that training activities need to build institutional capacities (ICPDR, DEF etc.) as well as to build technical capacities (nutrient reduction, wetland rehabilitation, reduction of toxic substances etc.) to assure increase of knowledge and capacity to act for water management and pollution control. The training needs assessment also served as the basis to prioritize training needs given limited resources (human and financial.)