November 2004



REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA
STOCKTAKING MEETING















AUTHORS

PREPARED BY:
UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project

AUTHORS:
Ivan Zavadsky
Peter Whalley
Kari Eik
Marcella Fabianova






















DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT



TABLE OF CONTENT

1
GEF Project Activities in the frame of the Danube ­ Black Sea Strategic
Partnership ............................................................................................................ 5
1.1
Brief chronicle of GEF Assistance since 1993 to the Danube Region and analysis of
past and current objectives........................................................................................ 5
1.1.1 Purpose and overall objectives of GEF intervention in the Danube Region
and driving forces/reasons for developing the Strategic Partnership ...................... 5
1.1.2 Background to the Danube Regional Project ...................................................... 6
1.1.3 Analysis of the DRP Activities in response to the ICPDR Objectives ....................... 8
1.1.4 Strategic Partnership Objectives relevant to the Danube Regional
Project......................................................................................................... 9
1.2
Objectives and Strategies of the UNDP /GEF Danube Regional Project .............................. 14
1.3
Cooperation with the ICPDR....................................................................................... 16
1.4
Financing and Co-financing / Budgetary contribution ..................................................... 18
2
Progress and Achievements of the Danube Regional Project in the
frame of the Danube ­ Black Sea Strategic Partnership (SP) .................................. 19
2.1
Adopting and implementing of policy, institutional and regulatory changes (SP
Objective 1) ............................................................................................................ 19
2.1.1 Guidelines and tools for River Basin Management (1.1)....................................... 19
2.1.2 Development of Agriculture Policies for Pollution Reduction(1.2)........................... 20
2.1.3 Development of Wetlands and Land-use Policies (1.4) ........................................ 21
2.1.4 Development of Industrial Policies (1.5)............................................................ 21
2.1.5 New Water and Wastewater Tariffs and Effluent Charges (1.6&1.7) ...................... 21
2.1.6 Development of voluntary agreements to reduce phosphates in
detergents (1.8)............................................................................................ 22
2.2
Capacity building of the Commission (Secretariats) (SP Objective 3)................................ 23
2.2.1 Establishment of Inter-ministerial Coordination Mechanisms (2.1) ........................ 23
2.2.2 Operational Tools for Water Quality Monitoring and Emission Analysis
(2.2) ........................................................................................................... 23
2.2.3 Enhancement of the Accident Emergency Response Systems (2.3) ....................... 24
2.2.4 Support for the ICPDR Information System (2.4) ............................................... 24
2.2.5 Support for the Implementation of MoU between BSC and ICPDR (2.5) ................. 25
2.2.6 Development of M&E Indicators for the DRP (4.1) .............................................. 25
2.3
Nutrient and Toxics Reduction Plans relevant to application of the EU WFD (SP
Objective 4) ............................................................................................................ 26
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2.3.1 Development of the Danube River Basin Management Plan in line with
the EU WFD requirements, strategies for compliance and program of
measures (1.1-4, 1.1-10) ............................................................................... 26
2.4
Support for water quality management, pollution and nutrient reduction provided
by Ias, EU and other funding partners (SP Objective 5).................................................. 27
2.4.1 Pilot Sava River Basin Management Plan (1.1-9) ................................................ 27
2.5
Pilot actions for restoration of Danube-Black Sea nutrient sink and reduction of
non-point source nutrient discharges (SP Objective 6) ................................................... 28
2.5.1 Agricultural Pilot Projects (1.3)........................................................................ 28
2.5.2 Wetland Restoration Pilot Projects (4.3)............................................................ 29
2.5.3 NGO Network Reinforcement ­ DEF (3.1).......................................................... 29
2.5.4 Small Grants Programme (3.2)........................................................................ 29
2.5.5 Communication and Public Awareness raising (3.3) ............................................ 30
2.5.6 Public Access to Information (3.4) ................................................................... 31
3
Perspectives............................................................................................................ 32
3.1
Priority Project Intervention in 2004-2007 ................................................................... 32
3.2
Ensuring sustainability of the Project Results ................................................................ 33
3.3
Challenges of the Strategic Partnership in the view of the DRP ........................................ 34


DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 2

ABBREVIATIONS

APC/EG
Accident Prevention and Control Expert Group
AEWS
Accident Early Warning System
BAT
Best Available Technology
BEP
Best Environmental Practices
BSC Black
Sea
Commission
CAS
Country Assistance Strategy
CCF
Country Cooperation Framework
DEF Danube
Environnemental
Forum
DANUBIS
Danube Information System
DRB
Danube River Basin
DRP
Danube Regional Project
DRPC
Danube River Protection Convention
DWQM
Danube Water Quality Model
EC European
Commission
EBRD
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
EIB
European Investment Bank
ECO/EG
Ecology Expert Group
EMIS/EG
Emission Expert Group
EG Expert
Group
EPDRB
Environmental Program for the Danube River Basin
EU WFD
European Union Water Framework Directive
EU CARDS
EU Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilization
GEF
Global Environment Facility
GIS Geographical
Information
System
GPA
Global Programme of Action
IA Implementing
Agency
ICPDR
International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
IPPC
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (Directive)
IW International
Waters
JAP
Joint Action Program
JDS
Joint Danube Survey
JTWG
Joint Technical Working Group
MLIM/EG
Monitoring Laboratory and Information Management Expert Group
MONERIS
Modelling Nutrient Emission in River System
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 3

M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation
NGOs
Non Government Organisations
PRP
Pollution Reduction Program
PIAC
Principal International Alert Centre
RBM
River Basin Management
REC
Regional Environmental Center
SAP
Strategic Action Plan
SAPARD
Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development
SP Strategic
Partnership
TA
Transboundary Analysis
TNMN
Transnational Monitoring Network
UNDP
United Nations Development Program
UNEP
United Nations Environmental Program
UNOPS
United Nations Office for Project Services
USD
United States Dollar
WB World
Bank



DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 4

1
GEF PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN THE FRAME OF THE
DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
1.1 BRIEF CHRONICLE OF GEF ASSISTANCE SINCE 1993 TO THE
DANUBE REGION AND ANALYSIS OF PAST AND CURRENT
OBJECTIVES
1.1.1 Purpose and overall objectives of GEF intervention in the Danube Region
and driving forces/reasons for developing the Strategic Partnership
Until the 1960s, the Black Sea was known for its productive fishery, scenic beauty, and as a resort
destination for millions of people. Since that time, as with other waterbodies around the world,
massive overfertilization of the sea by nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture, municipal, and
industrial sources has seriously degraded the ecosystem, disrupted the fisheries, reduced
biodiversity, posed health threats to humans, and resulted in billions of dollars of economic losses
to the economies of the 6 countries.
The Danube River as one of the main sources of nutrients flowing to the Black Sea is also facing a
problem of pollution by nutrients and toxic substances due to industrial activities, extensive
agriculture, growing municipal communities that have a negative impact on the river including its,
water quality, water uses (e.g. water supplies for inhabitants), aquatic life, etc.
Pollution from 17 countries (15 GEF-recipient countries as well as Germany and Austria) has
created this transboundary water quality problem. Since 1992, efforts have been underway with
European Union and GEF support to gradually reverse the situation in the Danube and the Black
Sea Basin.
Through its Operation Strategy the GEF identified that there is a need to: (a) build the capacity of
countries to work together, (b) jointly understand and set priorities based on the environmental
status of their waterbody, (c) identify actions and develop the political commitment to address the
top priority transboundary problems, and then (d) to implement the agreed policy, legal, and
institutional reforms and investments needed to address them.
Following the previous GEF assistance and building on the achieved results and efforts of the
participating countries in the Danube Black Sea Region, a Strategic Partnership was developed,
with aim to accelerate implementation of nutrient reduction measures and policy/legal/institutional
reforms in the basin.
GEF and its Implementing Agencies are implementing the Strategic Partnership consisting of capital
investments, economic instruments, development and enforcement of environmental law and
policy, strengthening of public participation, and monitoring of trends and compliance over the
period of 2001-2007 for the 17 countries of the Danube/Black Sea basin.
This Partnership is composed of three complementary parts:
1.
The Black Sea Ecosystems Recovery Project - a GEF Black Sea Regional capacity
building and technical assistance element implemented (in cooperation with the Black
Sea Commission under the leadership of UNDP and with the assistance of UNEP for
defined components;
2.
The Danube Regional Project - a GEF Danube River basin regional capacity building
and technical assistance element implemented (in cooperation with the ICPDR) under
the leadership of UNDP;
3.
The World Bank Investment Fund - a GEF / World Bank Partnership Investment Fund
for Nutrient Reduction focused on single country nutrient reduction investments.
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In addition to that, activities of the countries, EC, EBRD, EIB, and bilateral support aimed at similar
objectives targeting reduction of nutrients and toxic pollutants, as well as the ongoing Dnipro
project, are considered as contribution to the Strategic Partnership.
Both, the Danube Regional Project and its sister project based in Istanbul - the Black Sea
Ecosystems Recovery Project will strengthen the respective Commissions and will assist countries
in their efforts to adopt necessary policy, legal and institutional reforms and enforcement of
environmental regulations (with particular attention to the reduction of nutrients and toxic
substances). The World Bank-GEF Nutrient Reduction Investment Fund is entailing direct
investments aimed at concrete reductions in pollution, primarily nutrients, at the national level that
can then be replicated throughout the Danube and Black Sea region.
The DRP is of global interest to GEF and other water basins that require international management.
Concrete results have been achieved and future positive outputs are expected. This is especially
true for reducing nutrient pollution - a common and serious problem in water bodies worldwide.
Ultimately, the Danube Regional Project could become a progressive model for expanding public
awareness of the threats from nutrient pollution worldwide.
The Danube Regional Project (DRP) has to be seen as an integral part of the Danube/Black Sea
Basin Strategic Partnership and a logical continuation of the GEF support for capacity building
provided for a period of five years to the countries of the Danube River Basin.

1.1.2 Background to the Danube Regional Project
Since 1992 the UNDP Global Environment Facility has through the Danube Environmental
Programme and the Pollution Reduction Programme and the EU through its Phare and Tacis
programmes, provided international assistance to develop appropriate mechanisms and planning
tools for the implementation of the Danube River Protection Convention. In addition they have
assisted with the funding of pollution prevention and reduction activities required to both restore
the Danube River Basin and to protect the Black Sea environment.
In this frame, from 1992 to 2000, donor investments can be estimated at about 27 million USD for
the EU Phare and Tacis Programs and about 12.4 million USD for the UNDP/GEF assistance. This
facilitated the building up of capacities and structures of the ICPDR for joint operation under the
Convention.
Environmental Programme for the Danube River Basin
The EPDRB was established in Sofia in September 1991 by the countries of the Danube river basin,
international institutions, financial organisations, G-24 countries and NGOs, to start an initiative to
support, enhance and reinforce actions for the restoration and protection of the Danube river. The
countries also set up a Task Force and a Programme Coordination Unit for the implementation of
the Danube Environmental Programme (short name), and agreed on further development of the
Danube River Protection Convention.
The EPDRB was designed to support the Danube countries in their long term objective of improving
the environmental management of the Danube river basin and to enable the practical work to begin.
In parallel, an international convention for the protection of the river Danube and its catchment
area was being negotiated. The Danube Environmental Programme supported monitoring,
collection and assessment of data, emergency response systems, pre-investment studies,
institutional strengthening, capacity building and NGO activities.
Priority was given to establish a Danube Accident and Emergency Warning System (AEWS), to
adopt a common surveying and monitoring procedure throughout the so called Transnational
Monitoring Network (TNMN), and to take steps towards the conservation and restoration of
wetlands.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 6

The aim was also to prioritise "hot-spots" for urgent action according the seriousness of the
pollution and its effects. Approximately 175 priority projects were received and of these about 60%
were related to industrial facilities and the rest from the municipal waste water treatment plants.
The EPDRB also presented an interesting political and legislative challenge to the Danube countries.
This challenge arose from the high significance of the transboundary pollution impacts and in
finding the right type of support to strengthen the capacity of governments and institutions at the
local levels for implementing and financing institutions.
Recently, the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) throughout the Danube
River Basin (both EU and non-EU countries) has reinforced the need for a coherent monitoring and
management plan for the DRB to reduce pollution from nutrients and other priority substances.
UNDP/GEF Danube Pollution Reduction Programme
The project "Developing the Danube River Basin Pollution Reduction Program" represents the GEF
contribution to the phase two of an Environmental Programme for the Danube River Basin. The
project followed previous GEF support in the frame of the EPDRB which supported at first the
ratification of the Danube River Protection Convention and then the establishment and
development of the ICPDR.
The Programme was carried out in period 1997-99 in the Danube River Basin, and its results
supported the activities of the ICPDR through a program of action for the implementation of the
DRPC. The Programme was a major international response to degradation of surface and ground
water quality in the Danube River Basin (DRB) and eutrophication of the Black Sea and it had the
following outputs:
·
The Transboundary Analysis (TA) was carried out to obtain a complete knowledge base for
priority pollution loads and environmental issues in the Danube River Basin.
·
The Danube Water Quality Model (DWQM) was designed to estimate and evaluate the flow of
pollution ­ in particular Nitrogen and Phosphorus - through the Danube into the Black Sea.
·
A revised Strategic Action Plan has been prepared as a review of the policy for the protection
of the Danube River Basin, on basis of existing analytical documents ­ National Review
Reports and National Planning Workshop Reports.
·
A Memorandum of Understanding between Danube and Black Sea Countries was drafted
based on the results of the Danube-Black Sea Joint Ad Hoc Technical Working Group.
·
The development of the ICPDR Information System
·
The Project Database includes the Pollution Reduction Programme (PRP) Investment Portfolio
available for financing institutions and donor organizations in the future. The Database
contained 421 projects, covering 246 hot spots in the Danube River Basin, comprising 192
municipal, 113 industrial, 67 agricultural, 29 wetland restoration projects and 20 projects
classified as general measures.
·
The project gave support to the NGOs, in particular in developing the regional body, the
Danube Environmental Forum (DEF) and the Small Grant Programme was financed to
reinforce NGO participation in pollution reduction measures and awareness - raising projects.
The results and products of the Pollution Reduction Programme were transferred to the ICPDR and
all information gathered during the project are available at the ICPDR Information System.
Danube Regional Project
Building on achievements of previous projects, a new UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project was
prepared in the frame of the Danube ­ Black Sea Strategic Partnership, in order to further reinforce
implementation of nutrient reduction measures and policy reforms in the Danube Basin Countries.
The recent DRP, launched in December 2001 is planned for period of 5 years, with total budget of
17.240 mill. USD.
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 7

1.1.3 Analysis of the DRP Activities in response to the ICPDR Objectives
The overall objective of the DRP is to reduce nutrient loadings into the Danube River and its
tributaries, in order to improve water quality in the Danube, and in the Black Sea.
The DRP is designed to complement the activities of the International Commission for the
Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), an international commission established through the
Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC), providing a regional approach to the development of
national policies and legislation and the definition of priority actions for nutrient reduction and
pollution control with particular attention to achieving sustainable transboundary ecological effects
within the Danube River Basin (DRB) and the Black Sea area.
The DRP is implementing in total 22 project components, out of which 18 is directly contributing or
are relevant to the work and achievements of the ICPDR and its Expert Groups. The Project is
being implemented under 4 key objectives plus associated pilot projects. The chart "Involvement of
the ICPDR Expert Groups in the DRP" shows linkages of the project components to the work of the
ICPDR Expert Group.
Development of Policies ­ Project Objective 1
"Creation of sustainable ecological conditions for land use and water management", the project
provides analyses necessary for the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation, in
particular for the Roof Report. These are related to economic analysis, typology, ecological
classification, GIS, groundwater assessment and public participation.
The components on agriculture and industry policies are contributing to policy reforms in most
polluting sectors introducing innovative and effective management tools such as concept of Best
Agricultural Practice (BAP), Integrated Prevention and Pollution Control (IPPC) and concept of Best
Available Techniques (BAT). In addition these components support the development of the ICPDR
inventories required under the WFD.
Capacity building and transboundary cooperation ­ Project Objective 2
"Capacity building and reinforcement of transboundary cooperation for the improvement of water
quality and environmental standards in the Danube River Basin" is aimed at improvements and
strengthening of the existing ICPDR tools and structures. On national level the project contributes
to strengthening of national mechanisms for coordination and implementation nutrient reduction
and pollution control measures.
Activities are related to the TNMN (Trans-National Monitoring Network), harmonization of water
quality objectives for nutrients in the DRB and water quality standards for toxic substances, EMIS
Inventory Harmonization, Accident Emergency Response (Danube Accident and Early Warning
System) and the ICPDR Information System ­ Danubis, as well as to strengthening of "Inter-
ministerial Coordination Mechanisms.. An Essential part of this objective are capacity building
trainings and workshops for the Expert Group (EG) members and ICPDR Secretariat as well as
financial support for regular EG meetings.
Public Participation ­ Project Objective 3
"Strengthening of public involvement in environmental decision making and reinforcement of
community actions for pollution reduction and protection of ecosystems" is designed mainly to
strengthen the Danube Basin NGOs and to enhance public participation. The project activities
carried out within the component on Communication and the component on Public Access to
Information are now important, as they are directly related to the EU WFD, which is a priority for
the ICPDR.
Monitoring of results ­ Project Objective 4
"Reinforcement of monitoring, evaluation and information systems to control transboundary
pollution, and to reduce nutrients and harmful substances", has focused on the development and
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 8

assessment of appropriate methodologies for the monitoring of nutrient reduction in wetlands and
preparation of guidelines as the basis for establishing pilot monitoring programmes. The project
has developed a system of indicators to monitor and evaluate results from, and environmental
effects of, policies and programme implementation that is harmonized with the EU Water
Framework Directive and GEF requirements. This system will be further tested and applied to the
project and used by the ICPDR.
Pilot Projects and case studies
The pilot projects are very important element of the Danube Regional Project, and are integral part
of some project components. The pilot activities are building on the results from Phase 1, where
different analyses were carried out and new methodologies and concepts were prepared. Through
implementing a pilot project on the application of a checklist methodology on industrial sites
(refinery/oil industry) the DRP has contributed to the work of the ICPDR APC Expert Group. In the
context of the ICPDR Joint Action Programme, the pilot projects for Agriculture and Wetlands were
prepared and will be carried out in the project phase 2.

1.1.4 Strategic Partnership Objectives relevant to the Danube Regional Project
The DRP Objectives were designed to follow the Objectives of the Strategic partnership and to fulfill
the needs of the Danube countries in the context of the implementation of the Danube River
Protection Convention by supporting them in developing policies, effective mechanisms for regional
cooperation and coordination to ensure protection of international waters, the sustainable
management of natural resources and biodiversity in this region.
The matrix on page 11-12 shows how the project components are related to the Objectives of the
Strategic Partnership. The status and progress of these activities will be described in the following
chapter of this report.
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DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 10







Involvement of the ICPDR Expert Groups in the DRP

"Strengthening the Implementation Capacities for Nutrient Reduction and Transboundary

Cooperation in the Danube River Basin"



Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4

Support for Policy
Capacity Building
Public Participation
Project Monitoring

Development
&T-B Cooperation
& Awareness
& Evaluation


Indicators (4.1)
RBM Tools (1.1)
Inter-ministerial

NGO Institutional
Mechanisms (2.1)
Development- (3.1)

Agriculture - Policies (1.2)
Analysis of Sediments in the

Monitoring, Laboratory &
NGO Small Grants
Iron Gate reservoir, and
Info Management (2.2)
Programme (3.2)
impact assessment of heavy

Agriculture - Pilot Projects
metals (4.2)

(1.3)
Communication Strategy
Accident Emergency
Response (2.3)
and Public Awareness
Monitoring Nutrient

Wetlands (1.4)
Campaigns (3.3)
Removal Capacities of
Wetlands (4.3)

DANUBIS (2.4)

Industry (1.5)
Public Participation and
Study on Pollution Trading
(MoU) Danube-Black Sea
Access to Information (3.4)

& Economic Instruments fo
r
Cooperation (2.5)
Water Tariffs (1.6)
Nutrient Reduction (4.4)

Trainings and Workshops

(2.6)
EMIS EG
RBM EG
Pollution Charges, Fines,

Incentives (1.7)
MLIM EG
ECO EG

Phosphorus Reduction -
APC EG
Detergents (1.8)

REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 11


Table : Overview of Contribution of the Danube Regional Project Activities to the Strategic Partnership Objectives

Strategic Partnership Objectives
Indicators
Danube Regional Project Activities
1 In support of the implementation of the Black Sea - By 2007, 100% of participating countries
- Guidelines and Tools for River Basin
Strategic Action Plan and the "Common Platform
introduce one or more policy or regulatory
Management
for Development of National Policies and Actions
measures (including P-free detergents) to
- Development of Agriculture Policies for
for Pollution Reduction under the Danube River
reduce nutrient discharges in the
Pollution Reduction
Protection Convention", and taking into account
agricultural, municipal, or industrial sectors,
the mandate of the Sofia and Bucharest
to restore nutrient sinks (wetlands, flood
- Development of Wetland and Land-use Policies
Conventions, Danube/Black Sea basin countries
plains), and to prevent and remediate toxics - Development of Industrial Policies
adopt and implement policy, institutional and
"hot spots", and 50% adopt multiple policy
regulatory changes to reduce point and non-point
measures, towards goals of maintaining
- New Water and Wastewaters Tariffs and
source nutrient discharges, restore nutrient
1997 levels of nutrient inputs to the Black
Effluent Charges
`sinks', and prevent and remediation of toxics
Sea, and reducing toxics contamination in
- Development of Voluntary Agreements to
"hot spots".
the basin
Reduce Phosphates in Detergents
2 Countries gain experience in making investments
- 100% of participating countries initiate one

in nutrient reduction and prevention and
or more investments in agricultural,
remediation of toxics "hot spots".
municipal, land use or industrial sectors for
nutrient discharge reduction, nutrient sink
restoration, and prevention and remediation
of hot spots of toxic substances, some with
GEF assistance, by 2007 to accompany
expected baseline investments.
3 Capacity of the Danube and Black Sea Convention - Payments of contributions by all contracting
- Establishment of Inter-ministerial Coordination.
Secretariats is increased through, sustainable
parties to the Danube and Istanbul
Mechanisms
funding, and development of international waters
Conventions made for 2000 and 2001 and
- Tools for WQ Monitoring and Emission Analysis
process, stress reduction and environmental
pledged for the period beyond project
status indicators adopted through Convention
duration. Nutrient control, toxics reduction
- Enhancement of the Accident Emergency
processes.
and ecosystem indicators assessing
Response Systems
processes in place, stress reduction, and
- Support for the ICPDR InfoSystem
environmental status, are developed,
harmonized and adopted for reporting to
- Support for the Implementation of MoU
Secretariat databases by 2006.
between the BSC and the ICPDR
- Development of M&E Indicators for the DRP
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 12


Strategic Partnership Objectives
Indicators
Danube Regional Project Activities
4 Country commitments to a cap on nutrient
- Countries adopt protocols or annexes to
- Development of RBM in line with the EU WFD
releases to the Black Sea at 1997 levels and
their two conventions and/or develop legally
requirements, strategies for compliance and
agreed targets for toxics reduction for the
binding "Action Plans" regarding nutrients
program of measures
interim, and possible future reductions or
and toxics reduction commitments as part of
revisions using an adaptive management
their obligations under the GPA for Land-
approach after 2004 are formalized into specific
Based Sources of pollution to the
nutrients control and toxics discharge protocol(s)
Danube/Black Sea basin by 2006 towards
or Annex(es) to both Conventions.
agreed goal to restore the Sea to 1960's

environmental status. For the Danube, such
a commitment will be contained in the
revised Nutrient Reduction Plans (coherent
with the ICPDR Joint Action Programme) and
developed in accord with the application of
the relevant EU Water Directives.
5 Implementing Agencies, the European Union,
- Regular programs of IA's and EC support
- Pilot Sava River Basin Management Plan
other funding partners and countries formalize
country nutrient and/or toxics reduction


nutrient and toxics reduction commitments into
commitments during 2001-2007 as part of
IA, EU and partner regular programs with
expected baseline activities and incorporate
countries.
them into CCF (UNDP), GPA Office Support
(UNEP), CAS (WB), and EU (Accession
support) by 2005.
6 Pilot techniques for restoration of Danube/Black
- All countries in basin begin nutrient sink
- Agriculture pilot projects
Sea basin nutrient sinks and reduction of non-
restoration and non-point source discharge
- Wetland restoration pilot projects
point source nutrient discharges through
reduction by 2007 through integrated river
integrated management of land and water
sub-basin management of land, water and
- Wetlands Monitoring
resources and their ecosystems in river sub-
ecosystems with support from IA's, partners
- NGO Network Reinforcement
basins by involving private sector, government,
and GEF through small grants to
NGOs and communities in restoration and
communities, biodiversity projects for
- Small Grants Programme
prevention activities, and utilizing GEF
wetlands and flood plain conservation,
- Communication and Awareness Raising
Biodiversity and MSP projects to accelerate
enforcement by legal authorities and holistic
implementation of results.
approaches to water quality, quantity and
- Public Access to information
biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Plans
(coherent with the ICPDR Joint Action
Programme) are developed in accord with
the application of the relevant EU Water
Directives
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 13

1.2 OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES OF THE UNDP /GEF DANUBE
REGIONAL PROJECT
The long-term development objective of the Danube Regional Project is to contribute to
sustainable human development in the DRB 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 overall objective of the DRP is to reduce nutrient loadings into the Danube River and its
tributaries, in order to improve water quality in the Danube, and in the Black Sea. The DRP is
designed to complement the activities of the ICPDR.
In this context, the GEF Regional Project supports the ICPDR, its structures and the participating
countries in order to ensure an integrated and coherent implementation of the recent policy
document of the ICPDR - the Joint Action Programme (JAP) and the related investment programs in
line with the objectives of the DRPC.
Taking into account the basic orientations of the Danube/Black Sea Basin Programmatic Approach,
the Danube Regional Project will reinforce the implementation of the Danube River Protection
Convention in providing a framework for coordination, dissemination and replication of successful
demonstration that will be developed through investment projects (World Bank-GEF Investment
Fund, EBRD, EU programmes for accession countries etc.).
The following immediate objectives of the DRP are designed to respond to the overall development
objective:
OBJECTIVE 1: Creation of sustainable ecological conditions for land use and water
management
Output / Outcome: Nutrient reduction policies and legal instruments and measures for
exacting compliance are developed and implemented in all Danube River Basin countries
with particular attention to:
·
the EU Water Framework Directive;
·
integrated river basin management;
·
best agricultural and industrial practices;
·
appropriate land use and wetland management; and,
·
economic instruments.
OBJECTIVE 2: Capacity building and reinforcement of transboundary cooperation for the
improvement of water quality and environmental standards in the DRB
Output / Outcome: Institutional and organizational mechanisms for transboundary
cooperation in pollution control and nutrient reduction are developed and mechanism for
improved:
·
national coordinating mechanisms
·
water quality monitoring;
·
emission control;
·
emergency warning and accidental prevention; and,
· information management.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 14

OBJECTIVE 3: Strengthening of public involvement in environmental decision making and
reinforcement of community actions for pollution reduction and protection of ecosystems
Output / Outcome: Community based projects for nutrient reduction (Small Grants
Program) are implemented in all DRB countries and public concern and response to
ecological issues has increased due to:
·
the organization of awareness raising campaigns and the regular publishing of
basin-wide and national information material;
·
the DEF Secretariat is efficiently operating using its own resources and supports
national NGOs in the Danube River Basin.
OBJECTIVE 4: Reinforcement of monitoring, evaluation and information systems to
control transboundary pollution, and to reduce nutrients and harmful substances
Output / Outcome: A Danube Basin wide system for monitoring and evaluation of
environmental impacts is operational, using indicators for process, stress reduction and
environmental status in line with EU and international reporting requirements, allowing at
the same time follow-up and evaluation of project implementation results; special
observations on nutrient removal from wetlands and accumulation of heavy metals and
other pollutants in sediments are available and economic instruments (pollution trading)
are analyzed.
The DRP was designed to enable all project activities initiated and reported in Phase 1 (2 years) to
be further developed in Phase 2 (3 years).

Phase 1 specific objective
The specific issues addressed in Phase 1 of the DRP were to:
·
Prepare and initiate basin-wide capacity-building activities with particular attention to
creation of inter-ministerial committees;
·
Develop concepts for implementation of policies,
·
Review and develop legal and economic instruments for water pollution management;
·
Develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the project; and,
·
Develop programmes for awareness raising and NGO strengthening within the Danube
River Basin.
Phase 2 specific objective
The specific objective of Phase 2 of the Project is to:
·
Establish institutional and legal instruments at the national and regional level to assure
nutrient reduction and sustainable management of water bodies and ecological resources;
·
Involve all stakeholders throughout the DRB; and,
·
Strengthen the monitoring and information systems of the ICPDR.
To reach these goals, and to secure the implementation and consolidation of those basin-wide
capacity-building activities, the Project will build on the results achieved during the 1st Phase of the
Project.

REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 15

1.3 COOPERATION WITH THE ICPDR
Cooperation with the ICPDR (co-executing agency and primary beneficiary) and its structures is the
necessary and very powerful tool for the Project implementation. The ICPDR was formed to
implement the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC) and since 2000 is the platform for
coordinating the implementation of the EU WFD in the DRB.
The cooperation between the DRP and the ICPDR is mutually beneficial as the GEF project is
proactively working together with the ICPDR at various levels, the Secretariat, the respective
ICPDR Expert Groups and respective National Governments. The project participates, together
with relevant contractors where appropriate, in all ICPDR Expert Groups Meetings, provides
technical and methodology inputs to their work and facilitates basin-wide coordination. In this way
the GEF Project has the full overview and understanding and can thereby provide the best
assistance and input to the further development of the work.
Further, these commonly implemented activities serve 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 plays a catalytic role in stimulating DRB countries to meet
their commitments to the DRPC and increasingly the WFD. This encourages national governments
to develop appropriate structures for regional cooperation which is facilitating the strengthening of
good governance in the Danube River Basin.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 16

Project Organization

Project Steering Committee:

ICPDR
ICPDR Contracting
Parties (13 Countries + EU)
UNDP / GEF
(Ordinary Meeting and
Standing Working Group Meeting)
UNOPS



ICPDR Expert Groups


Subcontr

actors & Consultants
ICPDR Secretariat



UNOPS
(Executing Agency)


Danube

UNDP/GEF
Environmental
Forum

DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT
UNDP

(Implementing agency)


Danube ­ Black Sea
Joint Technical
Working Group
Black Sea Ecosystems
World Bank
Recovery Project
Investment Fund
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 17

1.4 FINANCING AND CO-FINANCING / BUDGETARY CONTRIBUTION
The UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project (DRP) was originally planned for a period of five years.
Due to financial constraints, the projects had to be split into two phases with an initial phase of two
years and implementation phase of three years.
The overall financing of the project is following:
COSTS AND FINANCING (USD)


Project Tranche 1
Project Tranche 2
GEF
Project
5,000,000 USD
12,240,000
USD

PDF-B
350,000 USD



Subtotal GEF
5,350,000 USD
12,240,000
USD
Co-Financing
Government / ICPDR /
6,600,000 USD
12,878,000
USD
others

Subtotal Co-financing
6,600,000 USD
12,878,000USD
Total Project Cost

11,950,000 USD
25,118,000USD

The co-financing is expected through the ICPDR and Danube country contributions.
Total ICPDR and Danube country contributions in USD :
Phase I
Phase II
A/ The ICPDR, Permanent Secretariat will facilitate overall
1,600,000
2,742,000
project implementation with an annual operational budget:
-
800,000 USD for a period of 2 years (phase 1)
-
914,000 USD for a period of 3 years (phase 2)
B/ The ICPDR Expert Groups will assure the implementation of
2,400,000
3,262,000
project components. The cost for experts, operation,
participation and communication can be estimated at :
-
1,200,000 USD per year, for a period of 2 years (phase 1)
-
1,087,300 USD per year, for a period of 3 years (phase 2)
C/ The participating countries will contribute in the frame of
2,600,000
5,066,000
joint activities under the DRPC to project implementation
through financial and in kind contributions (experts,
equipment, operational cost), estimated at
-
100,000 USD per country and year, for 13 countries and 2
years (phase 1)
-
129,900 USD per country and year, for 13 countries and 3
years (phase 2)
D/ Others (national and international institutions, NGO, bilateral
1,808,000

donors)
Total Contribution
6,600,000
12,878,000

DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 18

2
PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DANUBE
REGIONAL PROJECT IN THE FRAME OF THE DANUBE ­
BLACK SEA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (SP)
2.1 ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING OF POLICY, INSTITUTIONAL AND
REGULATORY CHANGES (SP OBJECTIVE 1)
Objective 1
Indicator
In support of the implementation of the Black Sea
By 2007, 100% of participating countries
Strategic Action Plan and the "Common Platform
introduce one or more policy or regulatory
for Development of National Policies and Actions
measures (including P-free detergents) to
for Pollution Reduction under the Danube River
reduce nutrient discharges in the agricultural,
Protection Convention", and taking into account
municipal, or industrial sectors, to restore
the mandate of the Sofia and Bucharest
nutrient sinks (wetlands, flood plains), and to
Conventions, Danube/Black Sea basin countries
prevent and remediate toxics "hot spots",
adopt and implement policy, institutional and
and 50% adopt multiple policy measures,
regulatory changes to reduce point and non-point
towards goals of maintaining 1997 levels of
source nutrient discharges, restore nutrient `sinks', nutrient inputs to the Black Sea, and
and prevent and remediate toxics "hot spots".
reducing toxics contamination in the basin.

2.1.1 Guidelines and tools for River Basin Management (1.1)
Considering the DRPC´s mandate to assure sustainable water management in the DRB and taking
into account the central role of the river basin management in implementing the EU Water
Framework Directive, there is a substantial need to facilitate the development of river basin
management plans in the Danube River Basin and in its sub-basin areas. These river basin
management plans will have to deal with nutrient reduction from point- and non-point sources.
The project is assisting to the DRB countries in the implementation of EU Water Framework
Directive through development of common tools and in implementation of common approaches,
methodologies and guidelines for sub-basin management plans.
Links between the Nutrient Reduction objectives and the Water Framework Directive
The objective of nutrient reduction is completely consistent with the expected outcome of the
implementation of the WFD. Implementation of the WFD requires Member States to prevent
deterioration of the status of water bodies and for Member States to restore all surface water
bodies to a good ecological status by 2015. Nutrient enrichment is one of the many anthropogenic
pressures on Water Bodies that may affect their ecological status. As such, management measures
will be required to control nutrient enrichment in order to achieve the objectives of the Directive.
This clearly integrates a nutrient reduction strategy within the implementation of the WFD.
Implementation of the WFD encompasses other significant environmental policy issues (in addition
to that of nutrient reduction). Explicit in the WFD is the inclusion, for example, of the requirements
of the Nitrates Directive, the Urban Wastewater Directive, and through the `protected areas'
provisions, clear links to the `Natura' Directives on Habitats and Birds.
The key requirements of the Directive to prevent deterioration and to achieve good ecological
status, requires an assessment of all pressures (and their corresponding impacts) to be evaluated
and for a detailed River Basin Management Plan to be developed on how these impacts will be
mitigated. The Management Plans must provide concrete programmes how pollution will be
reduced involving a range of measures addressing, for example, agricultural pressures from diffuse
sources (including links with the Common Agricultural and the implementation of Good Agricultural
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 19

Practice), the management and remediation of contaminated sites and land-fills, and procedures to
minimise point-source inputs from industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants. It is also
important to recognise that the WFD deals with more than "chemical" pollution. The pressures
associated with structures or hydromorphological alterations also have to be addressed.
During the Phase 1 of the Danube Project concepts and analytical material were prepared, which
later during Phase 2 of the Project will be implemented in form of national contributions, pilot
projects and workshops on river basin management and implementation of the WFD. Specifically
the outputs from Phase 1 included reports and workshops in direct support to the ICPDR's Roof
Report and the national reports to the EC under the WFD requirements. Phase 2 will build on this
initial "Characterisation" report to provide specific assistance leading to the preparation of River
Basin Management Plans. This is a key milestone in the overall implementation of the WFD.

2.1.2 Development of Agriculture Policies for Pollution Reduction(1.2)
According to the Transboundary Analysis (1999), it is assumed that about half of nutrients
discharged in the Danube Basin to the fine web of the river network come from agricultural non-
point sources of pollution. For the necessary nutrient pollution reduction from agricultural sources
combination of different policy measures are needed.
The Project focuses on assisting the DRB countries in designing new agricultural point and non-
point source pollution control policies and legislation towards sustainable land use and agricultural
practices ("sustainable agriculture"), as well as compliance and enforcement plans in line with the
existing and emerging (driven by EU accession process) national legislation. Within the Phase 1
activities, the agricultural policies to control water pollution and their enforcement in DRB countries
was analysed and an inventory of pesticide and fertilizers use was prepared and assessed.
The existing situation in policy development and implementation of Best Agricultural Practice (BAP)
in Danube countries was reviewed and analysed, and a concept for introduction of BAP was
developed. The concept for BAP adopted for the central and lower Danube region was defined as
'...the highest level of pollution control practices that any farmer could be expected to adopt when
working within their own national, regional and/or local context in the Danube River Basin'.
Guidelines for manure handling, consistent with the principles of BAP, were developed in national
languages.
The first Phase identified six Strategic Aims with eleven objectives for measures to control and
reduce agricultural pollution, including the use of fertilisers and manure, use of pesticides,
regulatory instruments, economic instruments, promoting organic farming, etc. The output from
this first phase built on the conclusions of a workshop that involved a comprehensive cross-section
of policy makers in agriculture and water resource management from 11 central and lower DRB
countries who participated in discussions of the problem and potential practical solutions associated
with agriculture and water pollution in the region.
In Phase 2 of the Project policy and legal recommendations will be developed for DRB governments
to reinforce the introduction of BAP and to optimize the use of agrochemicals.
The main focus of this assistance is to identify for each DRB country the main administrative,
institutional and funding deficiencies and to develop priority reform measures for policies which are
expected to best support the integration of environmental concerns into farm management (BAP),
including improvements in the handling of manure and sludge from livestock operations,
minimization of the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promotion of improved tillage
methods, management of restored wetlands, creation of buffer zones and farmer education and
outreach activities.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 20

2.1.3 Development of Wetlands and Land-use Policies (1.4)
The primary focus of this output is to assist DRB countries to prepare new land use and wetlands
rehabilitation/protection policies and legislation in line with the existing and emerging (driven by
EU accession process) environmental legislation as well as GEF IW strategies. This project output
addresses common inappropriate land uses and subsequent impacts on ecologically sensitive areas
and wetlands including the effects of transboundary pollution with particular attention to nutrients
and toxic substances related to: municipalities, agricultural activities, etc., Standardized integrated
land use concepts shall be developed for the protection and/or rehabilitation of selected sensitive
nature protection /wetland areas.
Such new approaches will be demonstrated in the frame of pilot activities that should also serve to
stimulate activities that will expand the use of sustainable land use practices in critical nature
protection and wetland areas of the DRB. (Chapter 2.5.2) The inventory of nature protection areas
in the form of a map, besides meeting a core EU WFD requirement, provides a basis for prioritizing
actions to protect and rehabilitate priority nature protection areas and wetland habitats in the DRB.
Now in Phase 2, these concepts and methodological approaches will be further developed and
required policy, legal and institutional reforms will be applied in the case study areas as models for
integrated land use in the DRB. Further, the reform models for integrated land-use will also be
proposed to Governments and land development organizations for adaptation of policies and
practical implementation.

2.1.4 Development of Industrial Policies (1.5)
Industrial reform is one of the most urgent and critical issues in most central and lower DRB
countries. Considering that industrial production in transition countries is actually very low, it is not
surprising that industry generates only 5% of the nitrogen and 8% the phosphorus that enter the
Danube River Basin. Taking into account the expected revitalization of industries, the Project in
Phase 1 has been focused on industrial policies and on a review of legislation in order to ensure
that environmental considerations are adequately taken into account and that mechanisms for
compliance are put in place.
In this context, the project output assists the DRB countries in the development of new industrial
nutrient/toxics pollution control policies and legislation in line with existing and emerging (driven
by the EU accession process) national legislation. While Phase 1 of the Project has focused on the
identification of gaps and opportunities for reforms and measures, Phase 2 will develop and
implement targeted assistance programme to non-accession Danube countries on industrial
pollution reduction policy and regulatory frameworks including necessary capacity building
activities. The components will include legislation drafting, institutional development, technical
assistance and training among others. The program will be developed in cooperation with the
individual national government and tailored to the needs of each country. These activities will be
complement similar activities undertaken by other international organizations, which are either
underway or planned for these countries.
For the further application of BAT in Phase 2 of this output the EU guidelines under the IPPC
Directives will be reviewed in relation to existing ICPDR BAT Recommendations. Emission reduction
potential in key industrial sectors in DRB will be identified as well as gaps between current situation
and full compliance with the IPPC Directive.

2.1.5 New Water and Wastewater Tariffs and Effluent Charges (1.6&1.7)
The funding of water sector-related investments and the cost coverage for the operation of WWTP
in the DRB countries largely depends on economically and socially acceptable water and
wastewater tariffs. Most DRB countries are not currently applying an effective system of fines for
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 21

water pollution and respective incentives in comparison to industrialized Western European
countries. Water and wastewater service tariffs and effluent charges, fines and incentives (Tariffs
and Effluent Charges) have the potential to improve both water resource management generally
and protection of water bodies from nutrients and hazardous substances. They may be able to
make a substantial contribution towards increasing internal funds and releasing public budgets and
thereby facilitate the provision of baseline contributions for new investment projects in nutrient
reduction and pollution control.
The purpose of this Project Component is to develop strategies for tariff and effluent charge
introduction and reforms given the prevalent conditions in the various countries of the region and
taking into consideration the implementation plans of the EU accession countries. Implementation
of Polluter Pays Principle, economic incentives for pollution reduction and cost recovery of water
services are considered as well. This component has developed policy measures for DRB countries
that will help assure economically and socially acceptable tariffs and/or effluent charges. The
potential for the increase of revenues of the companies operating in the water and wastewater
sector is also being considered. The development and assessment of country-specific concepts for
tariff and effluent charge reforms has been completed.
Phase 1 activities principally involved an examination of the current conditions related to regional
or Municipal Water and Wastewater Utilities (MWWUs) in eight countries of the region, identification
of possible tariff and effluent charge reforms, and evaluation of these prospective reforms. MWWU
case studies have been developed in each of the countries. Baseline physical and monetary
accounts for the MWWU were constructed. Budgetary, tariff, service, and effluent consequences of
various reforms were tested. The baseline conditions and simulations were undertaken within the
framework of the Accounts Simulation for Tariffs and Effluent Charges (ASTEC) model and
numerous individual reform proposals were identified and evaluated.
Phase 2 activities primarily aim to set the basis for implementation with national stakeholders.
This will involve undertaking a series of information dissemination and assistance activities to
encourage and expedite adoption of effective reform proposals by the countries and MWWUs of the
middle and lower Danube River Basin. The reform proposals themselves, and the conditions
necessary for effective implementation and performance have been elaborated within Phase1.
Phase 2 activities would assist national and local decision makers and managers in developing and
implementing such reform proposals. Emphasis will also be given to the development,
implementation and monitoring of Reform Demonstration Projects in various countries and
communities and to disseminate lessons learned.

2.1.6 Development of voluntary agreements to reduce phosphates in
detergents (1.8)
The main objective of this output is to assess the possibility for the introduction of acceptable
standards in the particular DRB countries and to develop proposals for the required legislative
reforms and measures as well as appropriate enforcement and/or voluntary agreement schemes.
The EU policies and legislation do not provide for phosphate detergents phase-out plans. The
present situation in the EU countries is based on voluntary arrangements established by
negotiation with detergent manufacturers.
The country-specific recommendations and implementation schedules shall be mostly based on the
experiences from Western European countries and in the context of related developments (i.e.
policy and legislative) at the European Union level and should take into account the institutional
and especially the economic capability of the particular DRB countries. The Task Force established
in the frame of ICPDR and led by Germany aiming on reduction of Phosphorus coming from
detergents is supported by this activity. The output will provide analytical background and develop
proposals for accomplishing a voluntary agreement between ICPDR and the Detergent Industry
with appropriate time frame.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 22

2.2 CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE COMMISSION (SECRETARIATS) (SP
OBJECTIVE 3)
Objective 3
Indicator
Capacity of the Danube and Black Sea
Payments of contributions by all contracting parties
Convention Secretariats is increased
to the Danube and Istanbul Conventions made for
through, sustainable funding, and
2000 and 2001 and pledged for the period beyond
development of international waters
project duration. Nutrient control, toxics reduction
process, stress reduction and
and ecosystem indicators assessing processes in
environmental status indicators adopted
place, stress reduction, and environmental status,
through Convention processes.
are developed, harmonized and adopted for reporting
to Secretariat databases by 2006.

2.2.1 Establishment of Inter-ministerial Coordination Mechanisms (2.1)
Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Mechanisms will be set up to ensure adequate coordination and
implementation of policies, legislation and projects for nutrient reduction and pollution control.
Based on the detail analysis of inter-ministerial coordinating mechanisms and structures for water
management and pollution control in Danube countries proposals for improving of existing and for
setting up of new inter-ministerial co-coordinating mechanisms was made.
For Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia & Montenegro and to a lesser extend for
Croatia and Romania the results of the analysis has revealed, in certain cases, unclear
competencies between Governmental structures, inadequate or missing mechanisms for
coordination, insufficient financial and human capacities for the development and implementation
of policies, strategies and measures and an incomplete legal frame for water management and
pollution control.
For these countries it is proposed in Phase 2 to undertake Training and Capacity Building activities
and to organize intensive workshops in order to analyze the legal and administrative mechanisms
of Government structures (mandate and responsibilities of Ministries and public Institutions) and to
design, together with Government representatives and other stakeholders, adequate mechanisms
for inter-ministerial coordination.

2.2.2 Operational Tools for Water Quality Monitoring and Emission
Analysis (2.2)
The project is supporting the Danube countries in developing, upgrade and reinforce capacities of
tools for emission control and monitoring of water quality, laboratory and information management.
The models and applications supported mostly with data from the ICPDR Trans-National Monitoring
Networks (TNMN) and Emission Inventory are essential tools for assessment of environmental
stress and impact, in particular transboundary nutrient and toxic pollutant flows as well as an
assessment of the expected effects of nutrient and other pollution reduction measures.
This project component uses the results of the Joint Danube Survey (JDS 2001-2002) that provided
comparable biological and chemical characteristic data along the Danube in the main river bed and
in the major tributaries, as well as the appropriate data and information necessary for the
ecological and chemical surface water status characterization in line with the WFD.
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 23

Both water quality assessment and emission control (assessment of pressures/programme of
measures) are key issues in implementation of the EU WFD, which is a high priority of the ICPDR.
In line with the Work Programmes of ICPDR expert groups responsible for water quality (MLIM EG)
and emission control (EMIS EG), the following major issues are addressed:
-
Development of water quality objectives for nutrients and water quality standards for toxic
substances from DRPC list of priority substances, in line with the EU WFD;
-
Improvement of the scope of the TNMN and Emission Inventory, including harmonization of
their databases, considering EU and ICPDR Lists of Priority Substances. TNMN related
activities included the analysis and assessment of TNMN results, development of SOPs and
upgrade of web-based databases.
-
Development of application for pressure /stress (emissions) and impact (water
quality/change in ecosystems) analysis, based on MLIM and EMIS databases (TNMN, JDS,
EMIS Inventory) including analysis and comparison of data in these databases;
In the first phase extensive analyses were carried out on environmental quality objectives and
standards for nutrients and other Danube specific priority substances and on the results of the
EMIS inventory and their comparison with TNMN and JDS results with particular attention to the EU
Priority List of Pollutants. Concepts and proposals have been developed that will be implemented in
the Phase 2, in particular related to TNMN upgrade and SOPs for new determinands.

2.2.3 Enhancement of the Accident Emergency Response Systems (2.3)
The subject of this project component is to support development activities for accident emergency
warning and prevention of accidental pollution. The experience from the accidental pollution
events indicated that the basically established AEWS needs substantial improvement before it can
become a satisfactory tool for adequate management of transboundary contamination from
catastrophic events.
During Phase 1 of the Project, a new internet based communication solution was introduced to the
AEWS. An Inventory and prioritization of old contaminated sites in potentially flooded areas was
carried out and further recommendations and a check list methodology for the investigation and
risk assessment of old contaminated sites was prepared.
Building on the Phase 1 results, the project will further support the AEWS, in particular through
establishment of the national alert centres (PIACs) in Serbia and Montenegro and upgrading of
Danube Basin Alarm Model. Implementation of pilot projects on the application of checklist
methodology for industrial sites (refinery/oil industry) and the further development of inventories
of contaminated sites in flood risk areas will be key activities of the Phase 2

2.2.4 Support for the ICPDR Information System (2.4)
The Danube Information System (DANUBIS) has been developed with financial support from the
Austrian Government (computer equipment and software) and from the Austrian Environmental
Trust Fund, administered by UNOPS (concept and development of the Information System). The
system is presently installed at the Permanent Secretariat of the ICPDR and is fully operational.
The project provided further professional/technical and financial support needed for the build-up
and extension of DANUBIS to assure adequate administration of the information and reporting
obligations under the DRPC. Based on the DANUBIS user Survey (2002), the project supported the
hardware upgrade of the Information System at the central and national level and a training
programme for users was conducted in 11 countries, assuring a regionally consistent approach for
information management within the various activities of the ICPDR.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 24

Further activities are planned to support further update of Information System, in particular to
include Danube GIS into Danubis, that is also a priority for the ICPDR.

2.2.5 Support for the Implementation of MoU between BSC and ICPDR (2.5)
The objective of this output is to assist the ICPDR in further implementing the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), identifying appropriate modalities for the implementation and developing of
a monitoring system for commonly agreed process, stress reduction and environmental status
indicators for the Black Sea.
The work is carried out by the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) ICPDR - BSC. During Phase 1
of the Project, a joint working programme was revised and approved by both Commissions.
Ecological status indicators in the Black Sea Convention area, and appropriate reporting formats
were agreed as well as amendment of the work programme taking into account implementation of
WFD in coastal waters.
In Phase 2, based on the results obtained from monitoring and analytical assessment of the BSC
area, the JTWG will develop strategies for the limitation of the discharge of nutrients and
hazardous substances.

2.2.6 Development of M&E Indicators for the DRP (4.1)
To ensure efficient monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, and to document project
and program achievements, it is necessary to establish an operational system of indicators. The
ICPDR accepted to use the EU WFD Indicators and the DRP needs to fulfill the GEF M& E
requirements.
Considering the fact that the GEF reporting requirements are slightly different than EU WFD, the
project proposed two compatible systems of indicators to monitor and evaluate results from and
environmental effects of policies and programme implementation: i) indicators for GEF M&E
purposes to be used by the project and ii) indicators for WFD and EEA reporting to be used by the
ICPDR.
To monitor the results of the DRP, the project will be using 3 categories of the GEF indicators:
process indicators (identified in the project logframe as outputs/outcomes), stress reduction
(response indicators of WFD) and status indicators (identical with the WFD and the ICPDR).
The baseline for both, the WFD and GEF indicators will be year 1996, since the ICPDR has reliable
data on pressures, status and investment in the Danube Basin.


REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 25

2.3 NUTRIENT AND TOXICS REDUCTION PLANS RELEVANT TO
APPLICATION OF THE EU WFD (SP OBJECTIVE 4)
Objective 4
Indicator
Country commitments to a cap on
Countries adopt protocols or annexes to their two
nutrient releases to the Black Sea at conventions and/or develop legally binding "Action Plans"
1997 levels and agreed targets for
regarding nutrients and toxics reduction commitments as
toxics reduction for the interim, and
part of their obligations under the GPA for Land-Based
possible future reductions or
Sources of pollution to the Danube/Black Sea basin by 2006
revisions using an adaptive
towards agreed goal to restore the Sea to 1960's
management approach after 2004
environmental status. For the Danube, such a commitment
are formalized into specific nutrients will be contained in the revised Nutrient Reduction Plans
control and toxics discharge
(coherent with the ICPDR Joint Action Programme) and
protocol(s) or Annex(es) to both
developed in accord with the application of the relevant EU
Conventions.
Water Directives.

2.3.1 Development of the Danube River Basin Management Plan in line with the
EU WFD requirements, strategies for compliance and program of
measures (1.1-4, 1.1-10)
An important deliverable for EU Member States under the WFD is referred to as the
"Characterisation" or "Article 5'"report due in March 2005. This report provides information on the
characteristics of each river basin district, a review of the impact of human activity on the status of
the surface waters and on groundwaters, and an economic review of water use. The WFD requires
Member States to provide this report for waterbodies within their boreders but to include issues of
importance to the whole river basin. To facilitate this activity within the Danube River Basin the
ICPDR has developed the concept of a "Roof Report" which provides details of the Danube River
that are common to all Danube Basin countries. This Roof Report will be submitted together with
the respective detailed national reports. The Roof Report contains, in particular, an overview of the
main driving forces of multi-lateral or basin-wide importance and the related pressures exerted on
the environment. This analysis has been based on available data resulting from past and on-going
projects.
The DRP, in co-ordination with the ICPDR's Joint Action Programme (JAP), has implemented a
range of activity addressing specific pollution problems associated with nutrients and toxic
discharges within a river basin management framework. The projects executed have been
consistent with, and of benefit to, the overall implementation of the WFD in the basin and, the
preparation of the Roof Report and national Characterisation Reports in particular. This support has
included significant capacity building workshops assisting with the long-term sustainability of these
pollution reduction initiatives. Specifically this support has included workshops on groundwaters,
nutrient reduction, typology and reference conditions, risk of failure of meeting "good status" and
on Heavily Modified Water Bodies. These five workshops have all been directed at supporting the
WFD implementation.
Future support on pollution reduction will continue to assist with the implementation of the WFD in
addressing agricultural diffuse pollution, industrial pollution sources and, for example, a reduction
of nutrients through programmes to initiate voluntary agreements on phosphate reduction in
detergents. The DRP will focus on providing strategies to assist with the ICPDR's JAP through the
provision of new tools and techniques from a range of capacity building workshops and technical
assistance. These activities will assist the ICPDR and the Danube countries with the next stages of
the WFD implementation leading to the preparation of appropriate "Programme of Measures" (to
mitigate the pressures) and the incorporation of these in to a "River Basin Management Plan".
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 26

2.4 SUPPORT FOR WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT, POLLUTION AND
NUTRIENT REDUCTION PROVIDED BY IAS, EU AND OTHER
FUNDING PARTNERS (SP OBJECTIVE 5)
Objective 5
Indicator
Implementing Agencies, the European
Regular programs of IA's and EC support country
Union, other funding partners and
nutrient and/or toxics reduction commitments during
countries formalize nutrient and toxics
2001-2007 as part of expected baseline activities and
reduction commitments into IA, EU and
incorporate them into CCF (UNDP), GPA Office
partner regular programs with countries.
Support (UNEP), CAS (WB), and EU (Accession
support) by 2005.

2.4.1 Pilot Sava River Basin Management Plan (1.1-9)
This Project supports the development of a pilot plan for the Sava River Basin as a model for river
basin management planning in line with the WFD. In this context, the project defines concepts for
common approaches and methodologies, standards and guidelines to be applied in the regional
context, and formulate recommendations for implementation strategies and program of measures
likely to be effective in the transboundary context.
In Phase 1 the Project has carried out a first situation analysis on data availability and on
institutional capacities in the four Sava countries to carry out the development of the Sava River
Basin Management Plan. A concept and work plan for Phase II of the project was developed.
Number of national projects under EU-CARDS in Croatia and in Bosnia i Herzegovina and the
European Agency for Reconstruction in S&M are being implemented between 2004 and 2007. All
will strengthen local capacities in water management and introducing the EU-WFD. A new large 3-
year EU-CARDS project "Pilot River Basin Plan for the Sava River Basin" assists Croatia, Bosnia i
Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro to strengthening national capacities on WFD-oriented,
transboundary water management, and to develop pilot projects in selected catchment areas to
test the implementation of the EU WFD. Slovenia with support of ISPA funds is doing a similar
activity, i.e. testing the EU guidelines for the implementation of the EU WFD in the Krka river basin.
It is agreed that the DRP Sava Pilot and EU-CARDS projects will be closely coordinated in order to
prevent overlapping and to secure complementarity both at national and Sava basin level.
At the end of Phase 2 (2007), a "Pragmatic River Basin Management Plan (Roof Report)" for the
Sava River Basin, which analyses the major transboundary issues related to water quality control
and water management in the basin and identifies the main measures to deal with them, including
the necessary investments needed to meet the main principles of the WFD (Sava investment
programme), will be available.

REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 27

2.5 PILOT ACTIONS FOR RESTORATION OF DANUBE-BLACK SEA
NUTRIENT SINK AND REDUCTION OF NON-POINT SOURCE
NUTRIENT DISCHARGES (SP OBJECTIVE 6)
Objective 6
Indicator
Pilot techniques for restoration of
All countries in basin begin nutrient sink restoration
Danube/Black Sea basin nutrient sinks
and non-point source discharge reduction by 2007
and reduction of non-point source
through integrated river sub-basin management of
nutrient discharges through integrated
land, water and ecosystems with support from IA's,
management of land and water resources
partners and GEF through small grants to communities,
and their ecosystems in river subbasins
biodiversity projects for wetlands and flood plain
by involving private sector, government,
conservation, enforcement by legal authorities and
NGO's and communities in restoration and holistic approaches to water quality, quantity and
prevention activities, and utilizing GEF
biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Plans (coherent
Biodiversity and MSP projects to
with the ICPDR JAP) are developed in accord with the
accelerate implementation of results.
application of the relevant EU Water Directives

Very important elements of the Danube Regional Project are the pilot activities that are an integral
part of some project components. The pilot activities build on the results from the phase 1, where
analyses were carried out and new methodologies and concepts were prepared. The project
components containing `pilot activities' are Agriculture (1.3), Wetlands (1.4, 4.3), Tariffs and
Charges (1.6&1.7) and Accident Risk Response (2.3). In addition, the project includes components
that are involving the wider public, in particular NGOs in pollution reduction activities, that offers a
good basis for replicability.

2.5.1 Agricultural Pilot Projects (1.3)
This pilot project component has to be considered as complementary to the policy component on
Agriculture (1.2), it is particularly focusing on adequate handling of manure and on the practical
introduction of organic farming methods. Agricultural point sources (e.g. large pig farms),
including inappropriate handling of manure, are estimated to supply 2.5% and 6.8 %, respectively,
of the nitrogen and phosphorus reaching the Danube River Basin.
Through the Project Output 1.3 the DRP will assist the DRB countries (especially in the lower
Danube basin) with the development of low-input agriculture and with pilot programs for
agricultural pollution reduction, in line with existing and emerging (driven by EU accession process)
national environmental legislation.
It will help to introduce new relationships among national governments, local governments,
agricultural community and general public (different land-users) in order to improve management
practices in agriculture and to reduce nutrient loads. Specific needs to improve agricultural
practices and relevant sites for demonstration activities on manure handling should be identified in
practical concepts for each DRB country.
Based on the analysis of agricultural "hot spots" and taking into account national concepts
developed in Phase 1, for practically introducing respectively expanding best agricultural practices
in each DRB country, Phase 2 will focus on the implementation of the prioritized pilot projects in
particular in the lower Danube basin, but will also strengthen already existing initiatives in other
DRB countries. It will provide demonstration and training to local farmers on best manure handling
and best agricultural practices, as well as stimulate the institutional development of low input
farming. In a concluding regional workshop, the experiences gained at local and national level
should be assessed and conclusions shared.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 28

2.5.2 Wetland Restoration Pilot Projects (4.3)
In the frame of the Pollution Reduction Program, the rehabilitation and management of about
600.000 hectares of wetlands and floodplains in the DRB have been proposed. In the World Bank-
GEF Strategic Partnership, the restoration or creation of wetlands is one of the types of projects
eligible for funding. It is generally recognized that the removal capacity varies considerably
according to water flow, concentration, loads and natural conditions of the wetlands.
In the frame of the DRP, a quantified approach will be made for the wetlands to better assess their
removal capacities and the possibilities in wetland management to optimize such processes, while
still giving priority to the ecological needs of these ecosystems. These results will considerably
improve and disseminate world-wide the knowledge about nutrient removal through wetlands
rehabilitation and would define the technical and economic parameters for efficient wetlands
management while still considering other benefits (biodiversity, water purification etc.) and giving
priority to the ecological needs of these ecosystems.
This proposed project component, which would support a larger GEF need in the frame of Targeted
Research has been covered in Phase 1 preparatory tasks and will now, in Phase 2, provide the
actual removal observation programme and management guidance.

2.5.3 NGO Network Reinforcement ­ DEF (3.1)
The overall focus of the components under Objective 3 is to increase public participation in
environmental decision-making. A vital and effective route to public participation is via NGOs,
because they address communities' concerns and represent the members of communities.
The Danube Regional Project Phase 1 has focused on NGO institutional development support as
well as awareness raising and community involvement. A mark of the success of this focus in Phase
1 has been the growth in the number of NGOs actively engaged with DRP: from 50 at the start of
the Project to 154 today.
Cooperation of the civil society and in particular of local NGOs is essential to achieving the
objectives and goals of the ICPDR and the Danube Regional Project. Particular attention has
therefore been given to the reinforcement of the Danube Environmental Forum (DEF), which is the
umbrella organization of the NGOs in the Danube River Basin as well as to increase DEF's capacities
to take action for pollution reduction and control.
The project gives technical/professional assistance and financial support for the Danube
Environmental Forum (DEF) and for national NGOs working on transboundary pollution issues and
nutrient reduction. Phase 1 of the Project have been providing the support to make the DEF
network (Secretariat, national focal points, national members etc.) fully operational and to prepare
programs for training and awareness raising (publications), as well as specific activities (public
participation) which will be implemented during Phase 2 of the Project.
Within the frame of the present project component, the support for awareness raising and public
participation will be extended during phase 2 and focused on concrete demonstration measures of
pollution control, nutrient reduction and transboundary cooperation.

2.5.4 Small Grants Programme (3.2)
One objective of the Danube Regional Project is to reinforce the participation of NGOs and other
interested parties in water management and pollution reduction (nutrients and toxic substances)
with particular attention to transboundary cooperation and river basin management.
This can best be achieved through practical measures and the support of community-based
activities for rational resources management, transboundary cooperation and pollution control with
REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 29

particular attention to nutrient reduction. Financial support is therefore given to implement
community-based demonstration projects in various Danube River Basin countries (Small Grants
Program).
During Phase 1 of the Project the Small Grants Programme was designed and prepared and
national and regional project were selected (1st call, 58 National and 5 regional projects) within 4
categories; Agriculture (e.g. Promoting eco-farming methods), land-use/wetlands (e.g. restoration
of flood plain forest), municipal (e.g. household waste management) and industry (e.g. promoting
best available practices). These are now under implementation.
Based on the monitoring and evaluation of the first call, the second call will be designed and
implemented during 2005/2006. When proposals are reviewed, an increased emphasis will be
placed upon enhancing awareness in civil society

2.5.5 Communication and Public Awareness raising (3.3)
Communication and awareness raising have been central to Phase 1 of the Danube Regional
Project's work. Effective communication, in partnership with ICPDR, at a personal, professional and
institutional level has led to several important results:
-
All 13 Danube Basin countries are now signatories to the Convention (increased from 8 at
the commencement of the Convention);
-
9 ICPDR Expert Groups meet regularly and provide significant input to the positive
environmental management of the Danube and its Basin;
-
154 NGOs are actively engaged with the Project through DEF;
-
30 workshops and 11 trainings in all countries were conducted during the first phase of the
project;
Phase 2 of the Project, while continuing this work, will take a broader view. The practical
awareness and daily sensitivity of the general public on pollution problems and their transboundary
impacts is still very low in most DRB countries. Phase 2 will prioritise public communication.
To this end, a number of initiatives have been undertaken:
-
Preparation of a communication strategy (and good practice sourcebook), which is being
implemented. Some of the key interventions of the strategy include building capacity for
communication in NGOs (including training of trainers), enhancing media work, clarifying
the identity and profile of DRP and ICPDR, sharing good practice, and supporting and
developing effective periodicals (e.g. Danube Watch) and other information materials.
-
Danube Day was launched. It was a major public event in 2004, and will be followed up in
2005 Phase 2 of the Small Grants Scheme (see above) will emphasise, in the awarding of
grants, the importance of public communication.
-
A professional media agency has been engaged to generate media coverage of DRP, ICPDR
and partner NGOs (including DEF) and their activities.
-
A strategic capacity-building plan for communication by NGOs is being prepared.
-
Target Audience analysis and Stakeholder Analysis workshop was conducted­ updating the
Stakeholder Analysis carried out under the Pollution Reduction Programme.
-
The NGO small grants projects (component 3.3.(i) ) can have a much wider impact and
become more relevant for the public's opinion-making at national and regional scale if they
are complemented by public awareness raising campaigns and professionally work with the
media (see above, 2.4.4), in this respect we will focus especially on these projects during
Phase 2.
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 30

-
The DRP supports the creation of enabling structures for public participation on basin-wide,
sub-basin, national and local levels. Public participation strategies for all these levels have
been discussed at a joint DRP/ICPDR workshop in Bratislava in April 2003. Following this
workshop, a sub-group of the River Basin Management Working Group, including the DRP,
ICPDR, WWF, REC and GWEP, developed a Danube River Basin Strategy for Public
Participation in River Basin Management Planning, 2003-2009. The ICPDR adopted the
strategy for the Danube River Basin level and recommended to the Danube countries to
implement the strategy at the other levels as well. This implementation will be continue in
Phase 2 of the project.

2.5.6 Public Access to Information (3.4)
This additional component in the frame of the Danube Regional Project will strengthen and enhance
the GEF priority of community involvement by access to information and public participation. The
component, to be implemented in 2004-2006, will build national capacity in interested CEE Danube
countries on implementation of public access to information on Danube pollution and thereby
support public participation in decision making on hot spot cleanup and prevention. It would focus
on government officials and also include citizens, communities and NGOs, specifically including
capacity building to enable changed attitudes and behaviour as well concrete efforts to implement
and facilitate access to information.


REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 31

3
PERSPECTIVES
3.1 PRIORITY PROJECT INTERVENTION IN 2004-2007
-
To achieve the project objectives the DRP will identify and promote agro-environmental
support mechanisms under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the SAPARD program.
EU enlargement may well trigger a resurgence in farm production along the Danube, with
resulting increased nutrient loadings. Many farmers are not aware of opportunities, through
the agricultural support mechanisms, to reduce pollution by improving on-farm practices.
-
The study on phasing out phosphorus containing detergents is crucial for the DRP to meet
one of the overall project objectives - to substantially reduce phosphate loads into the
Danube, and thereby reduce the problems of eutrophication in the Danube delta and Black
Sea. It needs to be given high priority during Phase 2, with consideration given both to
regulatory and voluntary mechanisms.
-
Several countries have asked for continuing assistance with establishing inter-ministerial
coordination structures. The inter-ministerial coordination development effort is an
important output, requiring attention and financing still during the 2nd Phase, and special
emphasis needs to be placed on engaging agricultural interests.
-
The river basin planning efforts that the DPR is spearheading for the region can provide
great opportunities to establish more holistic and sustainable land use planning for the
region. This will require that plans get designed not only to improve water quality, but also
to stimulate economic development and employment opportunities. The economic benefits
of a clean and healthy Danube river system need to be tangible for inhabitants to change
behaviors and support costly improvements. The DRP during Phase 2 will continue its work
to complete the outputs under Development of Wetlands and Land-use Policies (1.4),
dealing with wetlands and appropriate land use. Within these two efforts there should be
room to engage with spatial and regional planners in the countries to consider how
economic development aims and environmental protection aims can be reconciled.
-
The new EU Member States and Accession Countries are wrestling with public access and
reporting requirements across dozens of new statutes. Signatories to the Aarhus
Convention have additional obligations. Establishing the proper mechanisms ­ both legal
and practical, to meet these obligations presents a real challenge for participating countries
that the project can help to meet. It is understood that the new public participation and
access to information output (3.4) is closely correlated to other DRP objectives.
-
Communication and public awareness raising remains central to Danube Regional Project's
work. There is a great potential for effective communication, in partnership with ICPDR.
The practical awareness and daily sensitivity of the general public on pollution problems
and their transboundary impacts is still very low in most DRB countries. Therefore Phase 2
activities should prioritise public communication.
-
In Phase 2 two tranches of NGO oriented Small Grants Programme projects for nutrient
reduction are being launched. Those with the potential for successful continuation,
expansion and or replication will be further assisted. An important task for the DRP,
assisted by the REC and DEF will be to identify future funding sources for these projects.
-
Finalizing and proper use of process, stress reduction and environmental status indicators
for monitoring and evaluation of the project progress and results should demonstrate
achieved outcomes and contribute to overall M&E of GEF IW Programme.

DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 32

3.2 ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT RESULTS
-
UNDP/GEF should remain steadfast in winding up their Danube support effort at the
conclusion of the DRP. However it is important to note that this constitutes a several
million dollar a year loss of support towards achieving the goals and objectives of the DRPC.
The ICPDR should already now be considering strategies for how it will proceed once the
DRP concludes in 2007.
-
In order to ensure the sustainability of the Project results after phasing out in 2007 the
DRP will, together with the ICPDR, develop an "exit strategy" by September 2005. Some
elements of the future strategy for example, decrease of support from DRP to participation
at the ICPDR Expert Group meetings, fundraising for ICPDR public awareness raising
activities additional funding of DEF, etc. have been already launched.
-
The commitment of governments of all Danube countries ­ parties to DRBC and maturity of
ICPDR as leading force in these efforts will be further enhanced by already started re-
definition of tasks of the ICPDR structures in order to address the new policy challenges.
-
Special projects should be considered to expand agro-environmental cooperation, with the
aim to successfully boost local farm economies without contributing to degradation of water
quality.
-
The project will strengthen or build capacities of national and local governments,
governmental institutions, Municipal Water and Wastewater Companies, agro-
environmental services, farming communities, NGOs and other stakeholders to understand,
develop and implement policies and measures aimed at reduction of water pollution.

REPORT TO THE DANUBE ­ BLACK SEA STOCKTAKING MEETING | PAGE 33

3.3 CHALLENGES OF THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN THE VIEW OF
THE DRP
In 2000, the first Stocktaking Meeting was organized when the Strategic Partnership was first
presented to the Danube ­ Black Sea Stakeholders. The Stocktaking Meeting (2004) is taking place
in the middle of the execution of the Strategic Partnership when not all parts have reached their
mid-point of its implementation. However, experience from the implementation so far, shows that
there are some challenges in the process of the SP.
The SP elements should be seen not as independent parts, but as complementary and coordinated
elements. So far the cooperation among the partners was not a strong feature of the SP and the
exchange of information was weak as well. The first main challenge of the SP is therefore to
improve cooperation, firstly among the three main elements of the SP and secondly among all
partners. The second challenge is to improve communication to the public on the SP, its objectives
and achievements.
In this context it is needed:
-
To improve the communication and information flow among the SP partners
-
To coordinate the activities, to avoid dupplication and overlapping on one side and to have
synergistic effect of intervention on other side
-
To promote and disseminate information about the achievements of the SP to all
stakeholders and public
The basic measures to be undertaken are:
-
organizing biannual SP partners meetings (WB, UNDP, UNEP, Tacis, Danube RP, Black Sea
RP, Dnipro Project, BSC, ICPDR)
-
developing and maintaining a web site with cross links to all partnership sites (or upgrading
the existing web page ­ www.worldbank.org/blacksea-danube)
-
sharing of experiences/lessons, good practices (e.g. communication strategy, pilot projects)
-
monitoring the progress of SP through indicators in SP brief as well as `project specific'
indicators
-
carrying out communication and PR activities targeted at main stakeholders in the entire
Black Sea Basin
DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT | PAGE 34

Document Outline