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2	THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN 10% of Europe; 81 Mio Inhabitants; 19 Countries; Historical differences and economic disparities; Established commission – ICPDR.
3	KEY PROBLEMS Nutrient pollution; Loss of riverine wetlands; Need for transboundary cooperation in developing IRBM; Impact of the Danube on the Black Sea.
4	CHALLENGES OF THE PROJECT Strengthening capacities of the institutions in the Danube region; Addressing disparities in legislative and policy framework of the Danube countries; Evolving SAP (1994) to Joint Action Plan (2000) and River Basin Management Plan (2009).
5	THE APPROACH Close cooperation with the Commission: ICPDR – co-executing body; Embedding of the project into the existing structure; Adaptation to the basin needs: Supporting non EU countries in the work of the ICPDR on equal basis; Responding to the evolving priorities of the countries.
6	THE INNOVATIONS Technical solutions to support policy implementation: Harmonized approach for River Basin Management; Validation of wider policy concepts through pilot demonstration; Developing tools for tariffs reforms and investment strategies; Assessing the impact of the Danube to the Black Sea.
7	THE INNOVATIONS Focus on public participation and communication: Strengthening the Danube NGOs; Direct linking of Small Grants Programme to key project objectives; Developing communication tools to increase impact of the project.
8	RELEVANCE OF THE DANUBE INNOVATIONS Strategic and political: Institutional and legal framework in combinations with long-term programmatic approach of donors (e.g. 15 years of GEF in the Danube Basin). Partnerships: GEF Danube – Black Sea Strategic Partnership; Danube – Black Sea Commissions’ Memorandum of Understanding; Partnerships with other multilateral donors (e.g. EU).
9	RELEVANCE OF THE DANUBE INNOVATIONS Operational / technical Joint programmes of actions Evidence based information Best technologies in practice Communication Civil society participation and public outreach
10	"Fulfilling the three key requirements" Fulfilling the three key requirements (political – operational – communication) will ensure sustainability of project results.