WHAT IS THE DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT?
WORKING WITH BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENTS AND NGOS
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT ACHIEVE?
The Danube Regional Project (DRP) is one of the world's
The ICPDR implements the Convention for the Protection
The Danube Regional Project's work is centred on partnership.
The work of the Danube Regional Project is dedicated
The DRP's activities centre on the Convention for the
most international environmental projects.
and Sustainable Use of the Danube River. This international
to the conservation, rational use and protection of the
Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River, and a
convention is vitally important. Its central objective is
Danube's water and its quality. It achieves this through
key focus is strengthening the capacity of Danube countries
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and
protecting the Danube, one of the world's greatest rivers,
transboundary cooperation and organisational capacity
and Danube organisations to implement the Convention.
GOVERNMENTS
implemented by the United Nations Development
by reducing pollution and protecting the Danube's natural
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
building including through the provision of grants.
Programme (UNDP) through the United Office for Project
ecosystems.
By holding workshops, seminars and conferences, and by
have a major impact on the environment and life of the
at the local and national levels are the voice of the
Services (UNOPS) it covers the entire Danube Basin
Professionals and decision-makers concerned with the
regularly presenting at international meetings, the DRP
Danube Basin. The DRP is keen to ensure that this is
people of the Danube. DRP works with them: in fact,
and works closely with the Governments and people
The Danube Regional Project's work covers a wide range
Danube and its waters are vital stakeholders.
ensures that the effects of its work are recorded,
a positive impact. We support business and industry in
we work for them: they guide our work through our regular
of the 13 participating Danube countries.
of activities, from working in partnership with Governments
recognised and shared.
changing practices to reduce Danube pollution.
meetings and discussions, through ICPDR's Expert Groups,
and major industry to supporting small farming initiatives.
and they lead us through their presence at the United
Its central partnership is with ICPDR, the International
In brief, the DRP is indeed working for the Danube and
We work directly with commercial interests by
Nations, which implements the DRP.
Commission for the Protection of the Danube River.
its people.
commissioning studies, technical reports and practical
DRP meets regularly
projects in the Danube Basin, for which commercial
with all stakeholders
enterprises are among those invited to tender.
in the basin.
HOW DOES THE DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT WORK?
Transboundary issues
are being discussed
and solutions are
Because the DRP was initiated by the United Nations,
The Expert Groups cover themes like river basin
NGOS
COMMUNICATION
it inevitably works closely with and for the 13
management, implementation of the EU Water Framework
being sought.
Governments of the Danube Basin, all of them members
Directive, pollution control and monitoring, accident
reflect citizens' environmental and social concerns in the
DRP is committed to openness and the sharing of
of the UN.
prevention, flood protection, ecological aspects of land
Danube Basin, and we are dedicated to supporting them.
information. We encourage our partners to communicate,
The Danube river
use and protected areas, as well as economic analysis.
We supply training, equipment and technical support and
and support them in doing this. We want to see the right
is one of the
The ICPDR and its Expert Groups (appointed by the
help to strengthen networks. Through our grants schemes
information reaching the people of the Danube Basin in a
most important
Governments) guide the DRP on its work, as do the
The Project has 6 full time staff and at any time is
we support dozens of NGOs in the region, on topics
way that is helpful, positive and understandable.
trading routes
Governments themselves and Danube Basin NGOs.
coordi-nating up to 80 activities, ranging from technical
ranging from ecological education in primary schools,
of Europe.
issues and planning to communication work. Some of these
public awareness raising activities to wastewater treatment
This leads to one of the most important features of the
are supported through grants: others are commercial
and protection of wetlands.
Project: its ideas are not imposed from above or afar
contracts.
they are the very ideas of the people of the Danube.
We are very committed to working with and involving the
people of the Danube. Wherever we can, we work with local
www.undp-drp.org
expertise, local organisations and local businesses.

UNDP | GEF
WHY THE DANUBE?
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT
DANUBE
REGIONAL
WORKING FOR THE DANUBE AND ITS PEOPLE
PROJECT
AUSTRIA | BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVENA | BULGARIA | CROATIA | CZECH REPUBLIC | GERMANY
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT
HUNGARY | MOLDOVA | ROMANIA | SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO | SLOVAKIA | SLOVENIA | UKRAINE
WORKING FOR THE DANUBE AND
ITS PEOPLE
A globally successful project
"Anyone who is a stakeholder in the Danube is also a stakeholder in the Danube project" .
"After three years of operation in the Danube River Basin, the DRP has been appraised by all beneficiaries as very successful
Ivan Zavadsky, Project Manager, DRP
and helpful to each of the Danube countries.
The Danube Regional Project works closely with the International Commission for the Protection for
The DRP has supported and strengthened the cooperation amongst the 13 ICPDR member states through very efficient and
the Danube River, with the Governments and representatives of the 13 Danube nations (plus the EU),
targeted activities".
with organisations and institutions in the region and beyond, and with the people of the Danube Basin.
Phil Weller, Executive Secretary, ICPDR
The Danube flows 2,778 km from its source in Germany
But where there are problems there are solutions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
to its delta at the Black Sea. But it is more than a line on
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT PLEASE CONTACT
a map and a political boundary - it is an immense basin
The Danube Regional Project (DRP) supports and helps
that drains water from 18 countries. The Danube is the
the Danube countries in developing effective mechanisms
Ivan Zavadsky, Project Manager
most international river basin in the world.
for pollution reduction, for environmental management
UNDP | GEF DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT
And for 80 million people, it is home.
and for regional cooperation. DRP invests in research
Vienna International Centre, PO Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
and practical initiatives, from research on environmentally
www.undp-drp.orgwww.drp.org
80 million people, and their industry, farming and cities
friendly farming to Accident Emergency Responses.
inevitably have a major impact. Pollution remains a serious
problem. Toxic substances are a threat. Deforestation and
For the Danube and its future, the Danube Regional Project
destruction of natural floodplains have contributed to the
is a major contributor to the region.
devastating effects of the floods that have raged though
the region over recent years.
UNDP | GEF
DANUBE
REGIONAL
www.undp-drp.org
PROJECT