A Vision Statement for the Danube Delta Region (2030) - the Danube Delta and Its Neighboring Area

A Vision Statement for the

Danube Delta Region (2030)

Danube Delta Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy

September 15th 2014

Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through OPTA 2007-2013

A Vision Statement for the Danube Delta Region (2030) - The Danube Delta and its Neighboring Area

Vision for the Danube Delta (the Biosphere Reserve area):

A “living delta” (an area where people live and work) with balanced support for the environment and the community; a healthy, sustainable local economy - mainly based on nature and culture tourism; and with an inclusive planning process (residents, governments, businesses).

Vision for the Neighboring Area:

A vibrant, modern agricultural and small enterprise area, with a network of urban service centers and a tourism sector that is integrated with the attractions of the area and the Delta.

Together they form the Vision for the Danube Delta Region (2030):

An attractive area – with precious biodiversity and vibrant, small/medium scale (artisanal and modern) businesses - where people live in harmony with nature; integrating economic activities of tourism, farming and fishery; and supported by urban service centers.

Two strategic objectives are derived from this vision:

Strategic Objective 1: Conserve the unique environmental assets through scientifically-guided environmental management, and through empowerment of local communities to be proactive guardians of this unique global heritage.

Strategic Objective 2: Develop a sustainable, green local economy capitalizing on the area’s comparative advantages, supported by improved services.

Acknowledgements This report aims to reflect: (i) the views of the communities in the Danube Delta study area as expressed during 10 consultative visioning workshops; (ii) input from national government representatives and NGOs; and (iii) views of the World Bank’s study team. This team was led by Toshiaki Keicho (Task Team Leader) and Anna Gueorguieva (Co-Task Team Leader) and included Casandra Bischoff (lead facilitator), Bianca Moldovean (data analysis), Ioana Irimia (workshop facilitation support), and Andrei Zambor (workshop facilitation support), with assistance from Argentina Stamm and Cristina Zirimis. The report benefited from comments and guidance by Sumila Gulyani, Mats Andersson, Cesar Niculescu, Gabriel Ionita, Agi Kiss, Paula Restrepo Cadavid, Milena Nikolova, Randall Brummett, and Jian Xie.

The study team would like to thank the communities, local authorities, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, Danube Delta Biosphere Research Institute, Tulcea and Constanta County Councils, NGOs, and other stakeholders, for their engagement and inputs.

A Vision Statement for the Danube Delta Region (2030) Danube Delta Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy

Table of Contents 1. Background...... 6 2. Vision Statements ...... 6 3. Overview of the visioning process ...... 8 What is a vision?...... 8 What is visioning? ...... 9 The link between the Diagnostic Report and the visioning process ...... 9 Choice of workshop venues, outreach activities and selection of participants ...... 9 Facilitation method ...... 10 The link between workshop results and the final Vision statements ...... 11 Balancing the different views into one statement ...... 12 4. Stakeholder analysis ...... 13 5. Demographic Snapshot of Participants ...... 14 6. Development scenarios Context ...... 17 What are scenarios? ...... 17 What are the different categories of scenarios? ...... 17 What are vision scenarios? ...... 18 What are the drivers of change defining the scenarios? ...... 18 7. The Danube Delta 2030 Scenarios ...... 20 Scenario A: The Nature Sanctuary Scenario-- a wild nature reserve ...... 22 Scenario B: “A living Delta” Scenario -- the sustainable life ...... 23 Scenario C: The Bigger the Better – a usable nature reserve ...... 23 8. “Technical” Expert Vision for Environmental Management and Tourism ...... 24 Environmental Management “Technical” Vision ...... 24 Tourism “Technical” Vision ...... 25 9. Selected Scenarios by the Stakeholders...... 26 10. Stakeholder View of Needed Policy and Institutional Reforms ...... 27 11. How can the Delta (the biosphere reserve) - particularly the Core Delta - and the Neighboring Area support each other?...... 29

12. Next Steps ...... 30 Appendix ...... 31 Annex I ...... 31 Annex II ...... 33 Annex III ...... 35 Annex IV ...... 36 Annex V ...... 37 Annex VI ...... 39 Annex VII ...... 42 Annex VIII ...... 43 Annex IX ...... 44 Annex X ...... 46

Figures Figure 1: Age distribution of the participants and the underlying population of the region ...... 14 Figure 2: Distribution of participants by workshop ...... 15 Figure 3: Gender distribution of the participants ...... 16 Figure 4: Occupations of workshop participants ...... 16 Figure 5. The 3 scenarios represent a spectrum of development outcomes...... 21 Figure 6: Map of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) ...... 31 Figure 7: Study Area - core Delta (yellow) and Neighboring Area (green) ...... 32

Tables Table 1: Local community vision statements ...... 12 Table 2: There are four types of scenarios; the Vision type was selected for this report ...... 18 Table 3. Common drivers of change in scenarios with the most salient drivers for the Study Area highlighted ...... 19 Table 4: Vision scenarios and strategic directions (orange highlight) extracted from the consultation process ...... 20

1. Background The Government of Romania - through the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (MRDPA) – has requested the World Bank to provide advisory services in order to elaborate an integrated sustainable development strategy for the Danube Delta (DD) and to identify action plans to implement such a strategy. An overview of the deliverables and timelines for the strategy development is presented in Annex III. The elaboration of the strategy for the Danube Delta Region started with a Diagnostics Report, analyzing the current situation, opportunities and constraints. The report pointed to the dual challenge of protecting livelihoods and the environment in the Delta and included the findings of initial public consultations, held from September to December 2013, regarding issues and concerns of the communities. This vision report is an enhanced version of the May 2014 report developed during the second stage in the elaboration of the strategy. It builds on the initial version, which was created through consultations with the local communities and authorities as well as representatives of central government units, by seeking additional views, particularly from central units and additional NGOs. This vision statement provides refined direction for the ongoing strategy elaboration

2. Vision Statements

A vision for the Danube Delta Region – composed of the Delta (the biosphere reserve) and its neighboring area1 – was derived from an extensive consultation and diagnostic process. Following a sector analysis on existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), consultative workshops were held in eight locations in the region, with a total of more than 300 participants from communes and towns/city across the region.2 These were followed by two similar workshops in Bucharest, one with young people who had left the Delta for education or jobs, and one with technical representatives of the Inter-institutional Committee established for the study. Special attention was paid to balancing “bottom-up” and “top-down” views by carrying out additional interviews with representatives of the central government. In addition, the knowledge gained by the

1 The Danube Delta (DD) is the area referred to as the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). This covers: (i) the core Delta (the area between the Sf. Gheoghe and the Chilia branches of the Danube river); (ii) the Razim- Sinoe-Babadag lake system and adjacent land areas; and (iii) the area along the Danube river west of Tulcea City towards Galati. The Study Area – also called Danube Delta Region - covers DDBR and its Neighboring Area; the Study Area consists of Tulcea City, four towns (Babadag, Isaccea, Macin, and Sulina) and thirty two communes (the total number of communes in Tulcea county is 46). Four communes (Corbu, Istria, Mihai Viteazu, and Sacele) fall within the administrative boundaries of Constanta county, all four bordering the bay area of Razim-Sinoe lake. See Annex I for maps. 2 A variety of groups of interests were represented at these local workshops. About 43 percent of the participants were women, and stakeholders from all key sectors participated. Emphasis was placed on including the voices of marginalized populations, such as the unemployed and housewives.

World Bank’s study team to date helped finalize the content of this report and formulate three distinct development scenarios 3 that are described in Section 7 of the report.

The vision differentiates between the Delta (the biosphere reserve) and its neighboring area, due to the distinctly different characteristics of these two areas of the region. The vision will inform the strategic development of the area.

3 These scenarios are called an “unplanned development” scenario a “nature sanctuary” scenario, a “the bigger the better” scenario, and a “living delta” scenario.

Vision for the Danube Delta (the Biosphere Reserve area):

Vision for the Neighboring Area:

A vibrant, modern agricultural and small enterprise area, with a network of urban service centers and a tourism sector that is integrated with the attractions of the area and the Delta.

Together they form the Vision for the Danube Delta Region (2030):

Two strategic objectives are derived from this vision:

Strategic Objective 2: Develop a sustainable, green local economy capitalizing on the area’s comparative advantages, supported by improved services.

3. Overview of the visioning process

What is a vision? A Vision is a forward-looking ideal of where a community wants to be. It not only inspires and challenges but is meaningful enough that all residents can relate to it. “What does the region have the potential to be.” It reflects the attributes of the region: (i) its comparative and competitive advantages; (ii) values and preferences of its residents; (iii) its relationship to the domestic, sub-national and global economies; (iv) its history; and (v) its physical characteristics."

What is visioning? Visioning is similar to community planning but input sought is about the broader “vision” for the community and less about how to achieve the vision. It is a deliberative process where ideas are refined until a clear statement emerges. The outcome is typically an overview of possibilities rather than a definitive plan. It emphasizes consensus building, collaboration and cooperation, and the process itself is as important as the vision created, as it fosters local connections and partnerships. For communities with a long history of development challenges (such as in the Delta) this type of process helps them reconnect to their local pride, reactivate their sense of belonging to the community, and their hope that things can take a turn for the better. For those more active and open to change, it can generate a behavioral shift from viewing themselves as beneficiaries of development to engaged partners, ready to consider even co-sharing in local development responsibilities. However, as is the case with many public consultation processes, visioning raises expectations that public administration or others may or may not be able to meet. While visioning is only the first step in a long-term engagement strategy, it is maybe the most important one, as it decides on the desirable directions for the future.

The link between the Diagnostic Report and the visioning process The visioning process structured the discussions around the core objectives identified in the Diagnostic Report: improvement of the quality of life for its residents and the conservation of the ecological and biodiversity assets of the Danube Delta. The diagnosis identified both opportunities for development and possible threats. The same template was transposed into the facilitation process. More specifically, a session about opportunities for development, including a group exercise on community asset mapping, was designed as a preparation for the actual visioning session. Additionally, after the visioning session, the facilitation script included a group exercise that invited participants to identify threats and development constraints. The Diagnostic Report was an important resource for the visioning process, while the main objective of the visioning remained to identify the voice of the participants and their perceptions of the desirable future of the Danube Delta.

Choice of workshop venues, outreach activities and selection of participants The main objective of the visioning process was to extract a future development vision that covers important issues and opportunities throughout the Delta and the neighboring area (the Danube Delta Region). Participants from the core delta as well as the neighboring area were invited. The outreach strategy included:

 Selecting venues that were easily accessible for the communities participating in the respective workshop. For each workshop location, two to five communities were invited (the list of locations is presented in Annex IV). Lack of easy access and additional requests by communities increased the number of workshops from the planned six to a total of ten.  Creating partnerships with the local authorities, which provided group transport solutions for the participants and also disseminated posters announcing the consultation process.

 Using communication channels that took into consideration local preferences (printed posters rather than radio or newspapers). More than 300 posters were designed, confirmed by the local authorities, and distributed in all towns and villages involved in the consultations. The announcements were placed on the doors of public institutions, public meeting points (the Cultural House) or, in some instances, buses. Follow-up with the authorities as well as with individual participants took place in order to ensure proper participation in each workshop. Considerable efforts were invested in ensuring participation of a wide range of stakeholders. While not aiming at statistical representation, the process was meant to ensure a variety of interests, and include the voices of marginalized populations, such as the unemployed or housewives (details are included below in Section 5 - Demographic Snapshot of Participants). Efforts to create interest group diversity included emphasis on this in discussions with local authorities during the planning stage, as well as positioning the posters in prominent places. During the initial meetings with mayors, it became clear that young people would not be well represented at the consultations. Most of the young people from particularly the core Delta, have moved to Tulcea, Constanța or Bucharest to continue their education or to access better jobs. In order to capture their interests and development perspectives, a separate visioning session was held with young people from the region living in Bucharest4. The outreach effort was more intense towards the communities of the core Delta, while in the neighboring area the emphasis was shifted to include understanding how they see their relationship with the Delta (the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, DDBR) evolving. A total of ten consultations were organized throughout the core Delta and neighboring areas, including the one in Bucharest. Twenty three local communities were invited, of which four communes and one town canceled their participation at the last moment5.

Facilitation method The consultation in each location took four hours. The relatively short duration was agreed with the the local authorities, taking into account the limited time available by the general population for such activities, because of their engagement in, for example, agriculture and fishing, and transportation to the workshop location for some. The facilitation method was designed to establish trust between participants and the facilitation team, to move participants away from only describing immediate problems, and focus on the desirable future. They were asked to take responsibility for the future of their communities and define visions of the

4 The local governments helped find the families of young members who left the Delta. Bucharest was chosen for efficiency reasons. 5 Cancellations reflect fatigue in communities with consultative processes and the difficulty of the logistics of the process.

future of the area through teamwork. For some of the participants this method was a significant leap outside their comfort zone.6 The following structure was used in the workshops: - Welcome and management of expectations - Community asset and development opportunities mapping - Visioning - Identification of development constraints - Next steps and closure

The link between workshop results and the final Vision statements During the preparation, it became clear that several vision statements of the Delta might come out of the process, rather than one. During the initial dialogues people had difficulty relating to the whole Delta, and rather focus on what they knew best - the daily life of their community. Listening to people describing local issues, made it clear that some differentiation would be needed among several sub- regions of the Delta. As a result, we decided to assist the participants in creating visions for their respective communities and later from these local statements weave a Danube Delta Region vision statement. As an example, for the commune Sf. Gheorghe, with almost all of its territory in restricted DDBR areas7, creating a future development vision was a challenging exercise. By contrast, this was not an issue in Tulcea, Mahmudia or Babadag, and other neighboring areas to the Delta, which have no strictly protected areas and therefore far less environmental restrictions on their development. A second aspect that created differences in the vision statements was accessibility. This was the case of Road 222, which links Corbu, Mihai Viteazu and Sacele in the neighboring area. Its deterioration over the last ten years significantly influenced the process of visioning for the three communes and made it more focused on the development of transport infrastructure. By comparison, people from Maliuc, Crișan and Sulina - communities in the core Delta with no road access – created a vision for the future that focused around water transport and dredging as a means to improve accessibility. At the end of the consultation process 27 group vision statements were collected (presented in Annex VI) and more than 500 ideas for development were presented (crowd-sourced). In order to create one vision statement for the Danube Delta Region, common elements of these locally oriented vision statements were identified. Particularly, there was common interest to enhance the wellbeing of the people living in the Delta (or, as they worded it, finding ways to “protect the human species in the Delta”).

6 There have been previous consultative processes in this area. Several policy documents drafted in the past ten years have utilized such processes, including the Diagnostics Report developed for this study. While there was an initial sense of fatigue with consultative processes in the local communities, there was positive response to this opportunity to influence the anticipated policy choices. 7 With the very small exception of the “intravilan” areas (areas within commune limits).

Below is an example of how a common element to describe the vision for the Delta (included as Annex II) was derived from the statements from different communities:

Table 1: Local community vision statements

Local community vision statements Common choices DD vision element Crișan: “Our natural resources are harnessed in a sustainable manner at the local level (reed, fish, tourism)” . Sustainable Maliuc: “Sustainable usage of the natural harnessing of local resources of our community: traditional fishing, natural resources recreational fishing, nature-based tourism and . Support for a bird watching, capitalization of reed, agriculture more “Partnerships among small only for local consumption, and sustainable usage complementary producers, craftsmen, tourist of cattle.” economy of the agents, fishermen, farmers, Sulina: “We are selling our local products so Delta and reed processors build an sought out by tourists” surrounding areas innovative economic Isaccea: “We have a partnership with . Economic network.” communities in the Delta in aquaculture and “network” among small production, meaning we deliver high value producers to spawn in exchange for reed.” support each other’s production

Balancing the different views into one statement As mentioned above, a visioning workshop with some institutions and central government authorities took place on April 24, 2014, which came up with a vision similar to that of the communities and local stakeholders – caring for both the environment and the people living in the delta. In addition, further efforts have been made to interview some more senior officials of the relevant central government ministries/agencies to incorporate top-down views into the final vision statements.

Some of the key comments made in these interviews include the importance of: (i) developing tourism for the region to provide more economic opportunities and providing services both to residents and tourists; (ii) providing basic social services to the residents, but ensuring the efficiency of such service provision; (iii) improving connectivity to the region from outside but also within the region, particularly in the core delta; (iv) getting the core delta and the neighboring area supporting each other with different roles to be played in achieving sustainable development; and (v) improving communication between authorities and communities in environmental management and giving the communities some roles in protecting their own nature. Most of these specific top-down views either reinforce or complement what the local communities envision. Therefore, attempts have been made to build on these views in formulating the vision statement.

4. Stakeholder analysis Close collaboration with local authorities generated a shared ownership of the process which resulted in a high number of public sector representatives at the consultations (Figure 3). Most of the mayors had a low profile during these public meetings, choosing to listen rather than to impose their opinions. We can say with confidence that each vision statement came about as an inspiring image of the future that transcended individuals’ current professional positions and interests. Overall 370 stakeholders participated in the visioning sessions about the future of the Danube Delta Region (the schedule of the workshops is found in Annex VI). It was a broad-based consultative process that prioritized consensus even though, as any vision process, it was not statistically representative. Special attention was paid to balancing bottom-up and top-down views. A separate visioning session took place with representatives of institutions and central government bodies from the Danube Delta Inter-institutional Committee. What we initially expected to be a different perspective of the development of the Delta turned out to be similar views, focused around the protection of families in a well-preserved natural environment. A list of institutional stakeholders is summarized in Annex VII.

5. Demographic Snapshot of Participants The 370 people attending the ten visioning workshops were from all sectors of the economy, and represented closely the age and gender structure of the overall population in the region (Figure 1).

AGE GROUP DISTRIBUTION COMPARISON

Worskhop Presence

General Population Grand Total Grand

Worskhop Presence

General Population Tulcea Workshop Tulcea

Worskhop Presence

General Population SulinaWorkshop

Worskhop Presence

General Population MaliucWorkshop

Worskhop Presence Workshop

Mahmudia General Population

Worskhop Presence

Sarichioi General Population Jurilovca and Jurilovca

Worskhop Presence

General Population Crisan Workshop Crisan

Worskhop Presence

General Population CorbuWorkshop 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84

Figure 1: Age distribution of the participants and the underlying population of the region 14

However, statistical representation was not sought; on the contrary, marginalized populations were over-represented in order to capture their opinions, as is the usual practice in qualitative work. There were differences in the levels of participation by different communes. As seen in Figure 2 below, the most attended workshops were in Tulcea and Maliuc, followed closely by Sulina and Mahmudia. Common features of these communities are the lower cost and shorter time required to be spent for transport to the consultation venue. The locations were meeting points for neighboring communities. Access was a major issue that affected the participation in most sessions. Figure 2: Distribution of participants by workshop

Number of Participants

Inter-institutional Workshop Youth Workshop Tulcea Workshop Sulina Workshop Maliuc Workshop Mahmudia Workshop Jurilovca and Sarichioi Crisan Workshop Corbu Workshop Chilia Workshop

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Other factors, such as leadership and prior experience, may also explain the difference in engagement among local communities. One important factor was the leadership of the mayor and his/her previous practice of involving residents in decision-making processes. Those mayors who have held public meetings before were the ones who managed to bring a broader, and more representative diversity of stakeholders to the meeting. They ensured faster outreach through placing posters even in remote villages, and supported the facilitation team with the logistics for the event. They were also sharing best practices during the workshops and provided necessary information when asked. Gender balance was taken into consideration throughout the process, though perfect parity was not achieved. Several of the mayors and vice-mayors are women, although, as on most aspects, there are significant differences across the Delta.

The process attracted stakeholders from a diverse range of interests, including fishery, tourism, agriculture, local government, education, social protection, NGOs, etc. A snapshot is shown below.

Figure 3: Gender distribution of the participants

Female 43% Male 57%

Figure 4: Occupations of workshop participants

Occupations

Agriculture

Culture and Education

Enforcement Agencies

Fishery

Healthcare

Housewives

Institutional Stakeholders

Local Public Admininistration

NGO Representatives

Private sector employee

Retired

Students

Tourism Operators

Unemployed

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

The above analysis was difficult to quantify, since most participants had a number of different occupations throughout the year, as permanent employment is not the rule in parts of the study area. The vast majority of participants could fit into two or even three groups of interest, reflecting their diversified income sources. One mayor, for example, shared with us that before going to work she takes care of the vegetable garden and feeds the cattle. Although one might expect important differences between the perspectives of residents according to their professional interest, in practice this was not the case in the Delta. When invited to project themselves in the future, first was the image of their children or nephews and possible ways to provide a good life for them in the Delta.

6. Development scenarios Context The Bank team expected that several development scenarios would come up in the discussions about the future of the Delta (the Biosphere Reserve). To this end, the team prepared a table with detailed sectoral information about three scenarios (see Table 4). These scenarios represent a spectrum from a limited human activity, nature sanctuary scenario to a scenario with more mainstream development. What are scenarios? Scenarios are storylines that describe possible futures. Ample theory and a growing body of practice tell us that scenarios can be a useful part of science-policy processes designed to inform decisions for and about nature and people. Even in their most basic form, scenarios describe what the future could look like and help crystallize the key biophysical or social features or functions people care about most. What are the different categories of scenarios? Scenarios can take many forms, such as explorations of unexpected events, idealized visions of the future, or alternative interventions such as policies, projects and plans, or predictions. There are four types of scenarios commonly used -- interventions, explorations, visions and future projections (McKenzie, E., A. Rosenthal et al., 20128). These types of scenarios can be used separately, in conjunction with one another, or blended together. Scenarios explore aspects of, and choices about, the future that are uncertain. To tell the story, scenarios can include qualitative descriptions of changes (i.e., a narrative) and possibly quantitative representations (i.e., numbers). Scenarios can be developed using participatory methods or by technical experts. For this report, the scenarios include qualitative descriptions of policy choices and were developed by the technical experts. In particular, these scenarios describe idealized visions of the future reflecting possible desires of stakeholders.

8 McKenzie, E., A. Rosenthal et al. 2012. Developing scenarios to assess ecosystem service tradeoffs: Guidance and case studies for InVEST users. World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C.

Table 2: There are four types of scenarios; the Vision type was selected for this report

Scenario User goals Question Asked Scenario Storyline Context Examp

Intervention Choose among What are the Designs for real Strategic environmental alternative interventions best ways to policies, plans and Assessment to compare

achieve the projects options for a new mining future we want? development Identify effective and equitable interventions that meet policy goals Exploratory Anticipate uncertain Where might the Possible but Government review future circumstances future take us? unexpected futures to assess resilience of

What can we do existing policies with to prepare? possible climate change Test how policies cope with unexpected change Reach a shared vision Vision What future do Stakeholders’ Community planning Determine how to reach we desire? concepts of based on a shared vision desirable or for local land and coastal a desired future undesirable futures management

Resolve stakeholder

conflicts Future Evaluate consequences What future do Depictions of the Identifying baseline projection of current policies we expect? expected future to determine whether

with no new reduced emissions interventions from deforestation and Compare scenarios forest degradation against future baseline (Redd) project will provide additional Identify likely risks or benefits opportunities

Source: McKenzie, E., A. Rosenthal et al. 2012.

What are vision scenarios? Vision scenarios describe explicitly desirable or undesirable futures (Berkhout and Hertin 2002; Evans et al. 2006; Raskin et al. 2005). They can represent a perspective on what constitutes the best or worst case. Different scenarios may reflect the goals of each stakeholder or stakeholder group. A scenario may reflect a single negotiated compromise that balances everyone’s goals. What are the drivers of change defining the scenarios? All scenarios, either implicitly or explicitly, have to make assumptions about the factors that drive future change. We refer to these forces of change as “drivers,” which shape the direction, magnitude and rate of change. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment defines drivers as any natural or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly causes a change in an ecosystem. Table 3 summarizes common drivers of change in the use and management of landscapes and seascapes (Lambin et al. 2001; Raskin et al. 2005; Bennett 2005). These drivers may influence decision makers but be beyond their control, such as international prices (exogenous drivers). Or they may be within decision makers’ sphere of influence, such as local government designation of zoning boundaries (endogenous drivers). Local decision-makers

can directly influence the choice of technology, changes in land use, and external inputs but have little control over prices and markets, property rights, technology development, or the local climate. National or regional decision-makers have more control over many indirect drivers, such as macroeconomic policy, technology development, property rights (through policies), trade barriers, prices, and markets. Table 3. Common drivers of change in scenarios with the most salient drivers for the Study Area highlighted

Category Drivers

Social and demographic Population growth or decline Migration Cultural values Awareness Poverty Diet patterns Education Religious values

Technological Technological innovation Technology choice Economic Economic growth Trade patterns and barriers Commodity prices Demand & consumption patterns Income and income distribution Market development

Environmental Climate change Air and water pollution Introduction of invasive / non-native species Political Macroeconomic policy Other policy, e.g., subsidies, incentives, taxes Land-use plans, zoning and management Governance and corruption Property rights and land tenure

Source: McKenzie, E., A. Rosenthal et al. 2012. Multiple, interacting drivers cause changes in ecosystem services. There are functional interdependencies between and among the indirect and direct drivers of change, and, in turn, changes in ecological services lead to feedbacks on the drivers of changes in ecological services. Synergetic driver combinations are very common. The chosen driving forces behind the Danube Delta scenarios were: 1. Environmental protection – Adopted policies and the effectiveness of enforcement would also be a defining feature in a scenario. For instance, strengthened, more restrictive policies and effective enforcement would reflect a more environmentally focused scenario. While less restrictive policies would reflect a scenario that is more focused on supporting mainstream development. A weaker reserve administration would be linked to a scenario with less planning.

2. Tourism development – The scale of tourism development is a defining driving force behind the different end-states envisioned. Large scale developments are consistent with a more mainstream development scenario. Smaller-scale, but not necessarily lower-value-added accommodations, would be more in line with a scenario that envisions the environment and the economy more balanced. Minimal tourism development would be consistent with a very environmentally-focused scenario. 3. Transport infrastructure -- The choices made on infrastructure development have direct impact on land use as well as large indirect impact on human access and the resulting use of the environmental resource.

7. The Danube Delta 2030 Scenarios The scenarios describe the Core Delta as it might be 16 years from now (in 2030). The descriptions are mostly focused on the Delta (the Biosphere Reserve area) as the role of the surrounding areas remains unchanged in its symbiotic relationship to the Delta. The scenarios are purposefully somewhat extreme, and attempt to capture particular points of view about what should or might happen to the study area. The environmental laws are assumed to be unchangeable due to the international status of the area however the level of enforcement and investment in environmental protection varies and defines the scenarios.

Table 4: Vision scenarios and strategic directions (orange highlight) extracted from the consultation process

Topic SCENARIO A SCENARIO B SCENARIO C Nature sanctuary – a wild “A living Delta” – the “The Bigger the Better” – a nature reserve sustainable life usable nature reserve with mainstream developments

Environment Strengthened more Refined and effectively Relaxed less restrictive al protection restrictive enforcement; enforced approaches with enforcement; large investments in local people as partners environmental works to environmental works compensate for the human activities0

Tourism Low intensity; few and small Mainly local pensions / B&B Focus on large scale resort pensions; room-for-rent / room-for-rent. Emphasis type facilities on quality and higher value

rather than size.

Transport Improved public water . Improved public water . Improved (county and transport on main routes transport for access to local) roads in DD

only Sulina and Tulcea; and . Improved access to Sulina between villages and Tulcea

Investments Very restrictive investments Facilitate for residents to Facilitate for outside driven by environmental invest investors (with jobs through protection “trickle down”)

Agriculture Re-naturalize land; cease Facilitate for individual Continue concessions for & Fishery concessions; focus on self- farmers and fishermen agriculture & fishing sufficiency

Fisheries Limited quotas; stronger Mainly recreational (and Commercial and enforcement self-sufficiency) fishing recreational fishing

Finance . Primarias relying on own . GOR & TCC support to DD . Strong GOR & TCC support budgets primarias for EU CPF to private investors

. Significant compensation . Financial incentives for DD . Maintain appropriate to DD residents residents support levels to delta residents

Water SWM Selective environmental Selective investments Broad-based investments investments to prevent the focused on services to DD from being polluted. households

Education Improvement of access and Improvement of access and Improvement of access and quality, adapted over time quality quality, including vocational

to accelerated population training in DD decline

Health Improvement of access and Improvement of access and Improvement of access and quality, adapted over time quality, for both residents quality, including tailored to

to accelerated population and visitors visitors decline

Figure 5. The 3 scenarios represent a spectrum of development outcomes.

Focus on Less focus on Environment A B C Environment -less human activity- -more human activity-

The following scenario descriptions are trying to paint pictures of what the situation might be in 2030 if the respective scenario would be realized. Scenario A: The Nature Sanctuary Scenario-- a wild nature reserve This is what the Danube Delta has always been in the minds of the rest of Romania and indeed the world: open, green, wet, with incredible vistas and deeply silent. It is an island of wild, a haven of peace and tranquility located within a days’ drive of some 209 million people. Romanians are proud Europeans and this being Europe’s largest remaining natural wetland designated as a Biosphere Reserve during the tough transition years, the Delta is treasured as a great European achievement in wilderness preservation. The law has continued to provide protection against the risk of shifting public attitudes and opportunistic politicians. This is “the goose that laid this golden egg” and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (DDBRA) and especially Tulcea County Council (TCC )are clear that preserving this wild experience is their mission, with economic and possibly even ecosystem health secondary. It is not about balance. They have intensified their commitment to limiting human structures, motorized, noisy vehicles, large developments, and any encroachment on strictly protected areas. Land use regulation is designed around a hands-off approach that maximizes renaturalization and natural processes. The strictly protected areas are larger and more contiguous. Private land use regulation is tighter with fewer exceptions for developers. The fish stock has recovered after a no-fishing 3-year period, supported by subsidies for the entire community. Environmental regulation is simple and its enforcement is top-notch, fully supported by the communities. Many treat this special place as ‘their secret’ that would be spoiled by too many visitors. It has never supported a large population. “Leave no trace” is a long-standing tag line with real meaning. The DDBR’s diverse ecosystem has turned out to be a resilient one, better able to fight off invasive species and adapt to climate change than other parts of the country. Today, in a world of water wars and a warmer climate, people realize there is economic value in large scale eco-system services: water filtration and carbon sequestration. The Reserve, with fully renaturalized wetlands, is a symbol of recovery from Communism and the transition – proof that manmade insults to the land do heal, if given time. The citizens of Tulcea county and those in its government authorities entrusted with this treasure, take the long view of what they are doing. They won’t exploit this place for short term gain. The wetlands and forests will adapt to the threats around it because it is larger and less populated than any other in Europe. The Reserve continues to be a major research center for impacts of climate change, deltaic ecosystems and invasive species. Leading NGOs in the region are more unified to protect the Reserve. NGOs nationally have collaborated to eliminate ecosystem threats. The people who live here want to live here and love the wild nature of the Reserve. The Reserve’s communities suffer from the same problems as those faced in other protected areas: poor infrastructure, difficult transportation, and an aging population. They are paid for the environmental protection services they provide. The surrounding areas take pride in the Biosphere Reserve at their doorstep but are more outward focused in their economic links to the growth poles of Constanta and Galati.

9 An approximation of the population living within 400 km from the Delta.

Scenario B: “A living Delta” Scenario -- the sustainable life What made this Nature Reserve different from the beginning is the life of the communities inside it. It is not a ring-fenced Delta with no one home. Our cultural human values are just as important as our nature-related values. A healthy diverse economy supports a healthy environment. A sense of community is important here, living close to the land respectfully; living better without big growth. The diversity of employment and the shortening of supply chains have made the Reserve more sustainable and resilient. Local food and local renewable energy create a more closed-loop economy, keeping money in the area. Eco-friendly recreation and agro-tourism bring in people and income. Quality accommodation offerings bring in higher value visitors without an increase in numbers. The local food industry adds a lot to existing commercial farms. Regional cooperatives allow scaling up and bring prices to an affordable level, often in year-round arrangements. Extended season farming fits well with the renewable energy efforts. The other new sector is telework – people working here, often at home in creative and professional jobs, but the employer is somewhere else – they export online work, thereby bringing money into the Delta. Overall these strategies reduce the population’s carbon footprint significantly. The Delta is a model of sustainable community and draws in green businesses and a new generation of young people who find the vision attractive. Widespread broadband, cell phone and global delivery services make it fairly easy to live here and stay connected. In the modern mobile society, people move regularly. The area’s brain gain more than compensates for the departures, however. People who already know the Delta move here, as friends join friends. Fine, small, networked schools are a feature, not a problem. Village life has even more walking and biking, more local stores, and, in general, healthier people. Inter-village public boat transport is heavily used. A greatly enriched arts and crafts scene thrives. Construction focuses on reuse of existing structures and energy efficiency retrofits. The Government helped with more flexible regulation and investment in key infrastructure. The surrounding areas benefit from supporting tourism services and coordinating tourist products with the Delta, while ensuring economic links to the growth poles Galati/Braila and Constanta. Scenario C: The Bigger the Better – a usable nature reserve The DDBR is not a museum piece or a time capsule. In fact, the economy and the environment beneficially re-enforce each other. People come to this world famous Reserve because it is such a beautiful place and a place with amenities that support people living and playing in harmony with nature. Even in a bad economy, people will take time off for recreation and people will retire. These two big trends are the engine of the area’s economic upturn. It is a vibrant, robust place where human energy is harnessed in the form of recreation. The wild parts of the Reserve have become wilder, and the developed places, like the major canal corridors and the surrounding areas, more developed. Huge improvements in fuel efficiency allow boats to remain cost effective for transport even in such a spread out area. Expanded flights at Tulcea airport have facilitated access by visitors from afar. The DDBRA’s integrated recreation plan spreads out different types of uses for different areas. From limited mobility retirees to the multi-tasking next generation of youth, there is something here for everyone. It is still easy for silence seekers to avoid motors, but fewer people are looking for that kind of vacation. Hunting, biking and horseback riding areas are well separated from other uses. Some lakes are reserved for canoes and kayaks, while others allow jetskis and water skiing. Uses are separated seasonally as well – bike trails double as snowmobile trails or cross-country ski trails. Overused areas are protected by online permitting systems (with fees) that allow appropriate numbers of campers, hikers and skiers at any given time.

Indoor attractions, ranging from ice rinks, arts complexes, themed shopping areas, to even a casino or two, appeal to visitors who aren’t up for athletic activity. The sports culture is a major draw, even for those who just want to watch. Attention is paid to both attracting visitors to the deep interior of the Park and development of sporting and cultural events throughout the year. All the other ideas like biomass and local food are applied, but what “saved the day” was using the Reserve. There is a major increase in visitor-oriented “product” in the Reserve, i.e. things and services people pay for. Places to eat, sleep, shop. Delta-branded recreational equipment, made in the neighboring areas, is an industry cluster (boats and skis are successful ones). Many entrepreneurs start recreation-related businesses. Like Parks worldwide, people pay user fees to park, camp, hike, fish, etc., funds which are used for global promotion and event development. Global visitors increase. This is a world class destination. All these investments have made living here more attractive for year-round residents, too. Many visitors and seasonal residents move here to retire.. The active retirees bring money, energy and volunteer time

8. “Technical” Expert Vision for Environmental Management and Tourism

Environmental Management “Technical” Vision

A more cooperative and partnership-based relationship with the communities will be critical. A key message from the consultations is that, while people have love for the Delta and would like to live in harmony with nature in principle, they feel they are currently being forced into illegality (poaching, non- declared incomes, etc.) by "irrational environmental and fiscal policies" and would like to move away from this. While some of the "forced illegality" may be opportunism (taking advantage of weak enforcement), and choosing short-term benefits over long term sustainability for a variety of reasons, it reflects a need to move away from an antagonistic and enforcement-based relationship between DDBRA and local residents/resource users) to a more cooperative and partnership-based relationship. The most likely path to achieving this is to give residents/resource users more of a concrete long- term “ownership stake” in the resources. As long as they feel the State (through DDBRA) claims all ownership, the inevitable dynamic is for people to “get as much as they can, as fast as they can, through whatever means they can get away with”.

People with a secure livelihood are more likely to be active guardians of the environment. The relatively low and declining population in the biosphere reserve (DDBR) -- especially in the Core Delta -- creates a real possibility for the much wished-for "win-win" scenario of people "making a living in harmony with nature", as long as exploitation of natural resources is not the only mechanism available for people to pursue improved livelihoods and quality of life. Therefore, the diversification of sources of income (including but not limited to eco-tourism) is indeed critical, both because it would help break the trend of more and more exploitation of dwindling resources, and because people with a secure livelihood are more likely to actively support and participate in environment and nature protection for its own sake.

Tourism “Technical” Vision

The current vision statement generated on the basis of local stakeholder input describes the Danube Delta (DD) as a destination that attracts international visitors with offerings based on well-preserved nature and culture, and locally-operated service providers. This is very much in line with a vision which balances environmental conservation needs with the realities of global tourism demand.

As concluded in the diagnostic report, tourism in the Danube Delta can be developed in ways that can generate significant socio-economic benefits while protecting the unique natural resources. To be competitive on the international travel market, the region needs to be positioned on the basis of its differentiating characteristics and strengths, and to offer products and services at a quality that is comparable with international competition. The differentiating characteristics of the Danube Delta lie in the wilderness areas, rich biodiversity and distinct culture. To put these at the core of the tourism offer, tourism development should be based on:

 nature-based tourism offerings that are delivered by small-scale and small-impact operators (mostly local businesses and entrepreneurs);  rich and competitive offerings for experiences, and high service quality that are in accordance with international standards, delivering high value;  good management of the protected areas and their surroundings, maintaining high quality of the environment; and  overall management and marketing of the entire Region as a single destination with distinct image, positioning and offerings.

Why do not large-scale developments make sense for tourism in the Danube Delta? First, the sensitiveness of the environmental resources and the variety of regimes that guide activities in the Delta, limit the possibility for large-scale developments. Second, relevant demand trends are increasingly shifting towards travel that seeks small-scale accommodation facilities with local character (rather than large-scale resorts), close interaction with nature and local residents, and experiences associated with local cuisine and traditions.

Third, contemporary tourists that are attracted by places such as the Danube Delta often travel independently or in small groups, design their own itineraries and adapt them on the spot (relying on mobile technology), and seek to engage in active exploration of nature (through hiking, biking, pedaling, camping, etc.). Contemporary travelers are also increasingly educated and engaged with sustainability issues. When they travel, especially in nature-based destinations, they expect to see commitment to sustainability and proactively seek information about tourism service providers to ensure that they are served by operators who are committed to nature protection.

Fourth, large scale developments such as large resorts, heavy-infrastructure, service facilities and attractions that accommodate large groups of people, are appropriate for destinations that gear towards mass markets. Mass market orientation is not appropriate for the Danube Delta because:  accommodating large groups of people in the area is difficult (if not impossible);  large-scale developments are costly and mass markets are usually sensitive to pricing, which would make returns on investment (ROI) unappealing; and  mass market tourism is competitive and driven by factors such as price, accessibility and infrastructure, in all of which the Danube Delta cannot be very competitive

What is the technical vision for tourism in the Danube Delta? It is realistic to envision that:

in 2030 the Danube Delta can be an internationally recognizable nature-based tourism destination, which attracts visitors from Romania and abroad with its preserved wilderness areas and rich biodiversity, its rich portfolio of attractions and nature-based experiences, its authentic character and distinct local culture, most of which are delivered through small-scale local operators and entrepreneurs based on low-impact service facilities.

This suggests that Danube Delta has the potential to develop as an economically productive and sustainable tourism destination, where tourism is in harmony with nature protection needs and the socio-economic needs of local communities. However, this vision can become a reality only if the following three strategic development directions are planned and implemented effectively:

1) Develop DD as an integrated tourism destination with a rich portfolio of sustainable nature- and culture-based tourism products and services, along with relevant marketing activities. The long- term strategic development of tourism in the Danube Delta is possible only if the area is managed as an integrated travel destination, which has a distinct identity, a rich portfolio of products and services (based on all its cultural and natural assets), and marketing that attracts relevant domestic and international travelers.

2) Establish a local destination management mechanism that is based on active participation and local ownership of local stakeholders. The management of Danube Delta as an integrated destination that is competitive on international markets requires the development and institutionalization of a relevant destination management organization (DMO) that is: (1) relevant to the local realities; and (2) enables a true ongoing partnership between the public and the private sector.

3) Enable local people to run small tourism businesses that meet quality and sustainability standards, and that are economically viable. Tourism will generate socio-economic benefits for the local communities only when its offerings are delivered through economically viable, small and medium tourism businesses that are locally-run and owned by local residents.

9. Selected Scenarios by the Stakeholders The concluding vision from the consultations for the Danube Delta Region (the study area) has elements of different scenarios. This is indicated by the highlighted strategic directions in the summary table below. Even if this combination of the two scenarios sounds contradictory, they meet in what people have expressed as the common goal: “find a way to protect the human species in the Delta, not only the flora and the fauna10”. The corresponding elements of the two scenarios are highlighted in Table 4. For example, when one of the participants shared his vision about big resorts (in the direction of “the bigger the better” scenario) we invited him to provide details. His vision about intensive tourism proved to be scattered traditional villas with reed roofs, accommodating a medium number of tourists, which would fall more appropriately under the “Living Delta” scenario.

10 Quote from a participant

In terms of economic development, the communities seek to create sources of growth that return the main benefits to the community (unlike concessions or big hotels), and improve access to markets in Tulcea, the rest of Romania, and the EU. Reviving the practice of small craft workshops, enhancing traditional tourism (pensions and guest houses), improving access to basic services (health, education, utilities) came out as priorities. Many people used the word “clean” as part of their articulation of a vision, particularly in those areas that do not have access to water services, sewage and garbage collection. In terms of environmental protection, there was considerable appreciation of the Delta and the ability of local communities to live in harmony with it. However, people felt that they are currently being “forced” towards illegality, meaning poaching and other non-declared incomes, by current environmental and fiscal policies, and wish to move away from that in the long term. They want to reduce the impact of seasonality and have more diverse and stable sources of incomes that would allow them to stop relying on traditional/commercial fishing or on selling raw agricultural products. They argued that this would allow them to become once again communities invested in actively helping to protect the environment. Participants were most inclined towards the idea of attracting “educated” tourists, the ones who are “passionate” and respect the local culture and the environment. Even those who wanted four-star hotels were envisioning a smaller scale bungalow type of buildings, with reed roofs, blending well with the surroundings. The Living Delta scenario (scenario B) was mostly chosen by the core Delta residents while some elements of the Bigger the Better scenario (scenario C) were pointed to mostly in the surrounding areas and the Constanta communes. As indicated in the table above, the concluding vision from the consultations for the Danube Delta Region (the study area) has elements of three of the scenarios, albeit the Living Delta Scenario being the main one. Some technical comments from environmental management and tourism perspectives are presented below. Further technical considerations and limitations to a particular path of development will be addressed during the following stages of the Strategy Development process.

10. Stakeholder View of Needed Policy and Institutional Reforms Several institutional and policy changes were identified by the participants in the consultative workshops as ways to support the implementation of the vision for the Danube Delta Region. The following are the perceptions of the participants. The first and foremost concern of all participants was the availability of funds. Some of them had applied for such funding before; therefore they were generally knowledgeable about conditions and co- financing requirements. Several ideas around refundable micro-loans with flexible and easy to understand conditions were expressed. Participants felt that to date “structural funds have only been for the rich: to get 5000 Euros you need to have 5000 Euros. If I had that kind of money laying around, I would not need the loan in the first place.” This is particularly problematic since many of the residents in the region have only seasonal incomes, and would have difficulty affording bank market rates. An urgent need exist for expertise on project proposal writing and project implementation. Local public administrations were often concerned about their lack of know-how and personnel to apply for

and manage projects with EU funding. Few, if any, private professionals are willing to help prepare or implement small projects in isolated rural areas. There was clear need for continued engagement of residents in the local decision making. On the one hand, there seemed to be little trust in national, county and commune/town authorities among the participants, which extends to a perception of corruption, lack of expertise, and actions driven mainly by political motives. On the other hand, several mayors mentioned in the plenary discussions that their biggest obstacle in their activity is the passivity of the citizens. Most participants considered a large part of the economic activity in the Delta being unreported due to views of excessive taxation or improper policies. Fishermen are reluctant to declare even enough catches to keep their permits, and people stated that nearly half the homes are used as tourism housing, none essentially legally. Other issues raised were related to revenue sharing. Local authorities complained that their budgets are low in part because, in the core Delta, income from concessions goes to the county budget, and that in the neighboring area the income from land rental for wind farms goes to the national budget. People felt that their control over their economic future could be increased through improved access to markets and added value creation. One of the main wishes of the locals, though expressed in various ways, was to have more control over the financial and economic future of their region, including lowering transport costs and getting better access to markets. Presently, perishable goods are shipped to operators for processing. People expressed a desire to establish processing plants for fish, reed, honey, legumes and meat. There were also requests for traditional processing methods such as smoking fish or canning legumes, which can be done in small workshops, if ways are found to allow the goods to be sold to local tourism operators. By contrast, in the neighboring area, in Corbu, for example, there were complaints that existing processing units there need to be brought up to European standards in order to access new markets. Locals saw tourism as a major and continuing source of income. However, there were a lot of concerns that the marketing (promotion) of the region is insufficient and should better reflect the small-scale agro-tourism they want to see. It was only in the Constanța communes that the tourism concerns were oriented towards a more intensive tourism approach. Many institutional stakeholders there expressed concern over the chaotic development of tourism in their coastal areas. Within the core Delta, dredging the canals emerged as a central issue in every workshop, which participants saw as connected to improving accessibility for both locals and tourists as well as for increasing the fish population. They wanted to make sure that the dredging would be performed properly, in terms of where the sediment would be deposited and the canals maintained regularly. The local authorities and institutional stakeholders generally agreed that dredging is necessary, though difficult to finance and maintain. Most of the core Delta sees traditional commercial fishing continuing, with the aid of fish breeding programs, though residents are deeply dissatisfied with the current fish collection units. They argued that the fish collection units (cherhana) offer unrealistically low prices – 50 cents for a kilo of carp compared to 6.50 in Tulcea. Some tourism operators argued that they could not legally buy fish locally (either from the fish collection units or the fishermen directly). If other sources of income are available, participants wished to move away from poaching and diversify their fishing with other sources of income. In the coastal regions there was also a wish to expand marine fishing to reduce pressure on the fish resource in the Danube.

11. How can the Delta (the biosphere reserve) - particularly the Core Delta - and the Neighboring Area support each other?

The delta and the neighboring area depend on each other. The economies of the neighboring area already depend to a great extent on tourism. Visitors to the Delta – the main attraction in the region, albeit not the only one – have to travel through the neighboring area; the vast majority of them coming through Tulcea City, often with overnight stays. For the Delta, the main markets - for produce, fish, meat and other products – are in the neighboring area. Supplies to the Delta depend on transport from the neighboring area. Some services are only – or mostly - available in the neighboring area, such as financial services, construction services, hospitals, high school education, and various county level public services. This is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, although some anticipated development initiatives are expected to facilitate access, including through more intensive use of information and communication technology (internet).

The region as a tourist destination. The residents of the two areas have a strong common interest in the continued tourism development, by expanding tourism products/attractions and service facilities, and thereby not only encouraging more visitors to come, but even more importantly, stay longer and visit sites across the region (making the region the destination, not only the Delta). Building formal and informal networks, associations and partnerships among residents and local authorities in the two areas has potential to be particularly beneficial for both in this sector. This can apply to promoting each other (accommodations, attractions, information about localized services, etc.), facilitating transport and distribution of goods, sharing/exchanging personnel, etc. This might even take the form of “twinning” between local authorities in the two areas.

Shortened supply chain. Particularly in the agriculture, building material, fishery and aquaculture sectors, further development/promotion of an infrastructure and consumer preference for consuming products produced locally, would likely generate benefits across the region; particularly if coupled with an increased trend in the region towards organic food and traditional products.

Complementary integration in the other economic sectors. The core Delta and the neighboring areas have differing but complementing sectoral specializations which will allow for a symbiotic economic relationship to thrive. Heavier processing and production can happen in the surrounding areas with raw materials from the Delta and destined for the Delta markets. The Delta provides transport options to support business development for the entire area.

Initiatives and incentives by the public sector can enable stronger interconnection. Policies and actions by Tulcea County Council (and possibly also by the Tulcea City due to its population dominance in the region) can, over time, have a significant impact on the development of the region. Some examples include policies related to water transport concessions and facilitating vocational training tailored to labor needs in the Delta (similar initiatives might be possible in Sulina to the benefit of both areas. Intensified support for internet use region-wide, including applications in public services (education, health, etc.) would probably benefit the Delta most. Adjusted policies in the fishery and agriculture sectors for the Delta (e.g. related to concessions, licensing, etc.) may increase the flow of products to the neighboring area.

… and above all, prudent environmental management will be fundamental. The regional economy depends greatly on the unique environmental asset that the Delta represents. It is therefore in

everyone’s interest – authorities, businesses, residents - to not only preserve but increasingly nurture this regional asset. This may be accomplished most effectively through awareness, collaboration among authorities, and joint environmental protection management by the population and the authorities.

12. Next Steps

The vision statement and what was learned during the visioning process has provided important strategic direction for the needs assessment and will continue do so for the elaboration of the strategy and a related action plan for the Danube Delta Region (the study area). The team is utilizing the development scenario highlighted in Section 9 as its guide in this regard. Community engagement will continue to be important as the strategy and action plan get formulated.

Appendix

Annex I Area Definitions (from section 2.1 of the Diagnostic Report)

The Danube Delta (DD) is the area referred to as the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). The DDBR area is shown in the map below. It covers: (i) the area between the Sf. Gheorghe and the Chilia branches of the Danube river is called the core Delta due to its particular socio-economic characteristics; (ii) the Razim-Sinoe-Babadag lake system and adjacent land areas; and (iii) the area along the Danube river west of Tulcea City towards Galati.

Figure 6: Map of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR)

The Study Area (also called the Danube Delta Region) is highlighted in green and yellow in the map below. It covers the DDBR and its Neighboring Area and consists of Tulcea City, four towns (Babadag, Isaccea, Macin, and Sulina) and thirty two communes. 11 Four of the communes (Corbu, Istria, Mihai Viteazu, and Sacele) fall within the administrative boundaries of Constanta County; all four bordering the bay area of Razim-Sinoe lake.

The Study Area (Danube Delta Region) can be divided as follows: Area Area 1 Core Delta: The Delta between the Chilia and Sfântu Gheorghe branches (channels) 2 Area to the south, including lakes/lagoons, e.g. L. Razim, L. Sinoe, and L. Babadag 3 Area along the Danube upstream from Tulcea city

Area 1 is referred to as the core Delta (in Yellow), and the Area 2 and 3 (including Tulcea City) are together referred to as the Neighboring Area (in Green) to the Delta.

11 The total number of communes in Tulcea county is 46.

Figure 7: Study Area - core Delta (yellow) and Neighboring Area (green)

Annex II Description of the Vision for the Danube Delta from Local Consultations

This vision description is drawn from the exact words that participants used in the study area consultations. A total of 27 versions of a vision statement were collected and weaved into one description based on common themes and using the words and phrases of the participants.

“In 2030 the Danube Delta is a world renowned prosperous traditional community – opportunity access to quality education, social a fertile and safe shelter where new and municipal services for people of all ages. generations of people, plants, birds and fish thrive together. Tourists are drawn to the Delta to disconnect from a busy lifestyle, enjoy the silence of the People are ambassadors of the Delta, Delta, nourish their souls with the local authentic guides who inspire tourists with local traditions, and admire the sunrise on a natural stories, invite them to join in their daily tasks beach, hidden from the speed of modern life. and share their traditions. They are waiting for their guests, in family guest houses with blue The Delta inspires us all to live in peace, more windows, poppies, red tomatoes in the garden relaxed, simpler and closer to one another”. and the famous fish borsch. Residents, governments and businesses make decisions together regarding the economic development and regulation of the the Delta, while protecting its unique landscape and ecosystem. Each local has a role and a special place in the local economy. Partnerships among small producers, craftsmen, tourist agents, fishermen, farmers, and reed processors build an innovative economic network that keeps people safe from seasonal fluctuations. Traditional accessibility is complemented by a large internet “highway”. The horse drawn carriage, the boat, road transportation and broadband internet are used together in harmony. Families will spend their whole life under reed roofs, and not only for seasonal celebrations. Young people return home after their studies to take up “green” jobs. The Delta is a good place for families – locals and tourists together. It offers equal

Description of the Vision for the culture. Touristic sites and events are Neighboring Area to the Delta accessible. In addition to the Deltaic fauna and flora near the Delta, mountains and reforested This vision description is drawn from comments areas, craft fairs, recreation facilities with made by participants from the neighboring area in the consultative workshops, and from other inputs periodic cultural and sports events, historic sites received during the study to date. (churches, monasteries, fortress), miniports for small boating, agricultural and traditional “In 2030 the Neighboring Area to the Danube fisherman villages, family oriented agro- Delta is an area where people live harmoniously tourism, etc., all attract visitors from the entire with nature, a family oriented area where new country and from abroad. Beaches are used in generations carry on local traditions in environmentally appropriate ways. Parts of the innovative ways; a lifestyle combining traditions area has an all-year tourism season. with modernity, with a spirit of social solidarity inspired by the proximity to the Delta. Tourists are drawn to the area, not only as a gateway to Young people return after graduation with new the Delta but also to experience the beautiful ideas and for jobs at home. Local schools landscape, local traditions, the national park, specialize in jobs for local economy. Elders are monasteries, and other historical places. People active resources in teaching a younger are knowledgeable about and respect the generation traditional crafts, including at environment. They are actively involved in vocational schools in cultural and ecological making decisions that shape their community. tourism.

The economy is diversified. Family-farm Access to infrastructure, both physical and agriculture and animal husbandry is ecological social, is good, with modern utility networks and respects traditions, but still modern in its and quality services for residents as well as use of irrigation and wind and solar power for tourists; including paved streets with efficient energy. Fishing in the Razim-Sinoie system and public lighting in built up areas, sewage along the coast is improved; the lagoons and systems, bike lanes through nature, sports and canals well maintained to prevent entrance of youth centers, playgrounds, and high use of the salt water. People are entrepreneurial; many internet. Renewable energy sources are used work in organic (bio-) agriculture and agro- extensively. tourism, or in facilities for packaging fruit and vegetables, apiculture (bees), making traditional crafts, fish, meat and milk processing, and using The area has a network of urban service reed from the Delta. Various forms of centers, with good accessibility and connectivity association help provide access to markets and for people in the region and for visitors, both attract financing. Partnerships exist with the from within the country and from abroad. A Delta localities for fishery and small industry. dynamic Tulcea city and three small attractive Economic activity with Ukraine is revived along towns form gates to the Delta and the Macin the Danube river. Mountains Reserve, which creates healthy tourism-related economies, with promenades, ports, and a variety of services for visitors. They The tourism is mainly built around family are cultural centers with rich ethnic diversity pensions, local guides, and a well-promoted and history. Minority languages are supported. eco-tourism brand. It is friendly to the Residents treasure their green spaces, use of environment and capitalizes on the area’s clean energy, and being active members in the resources, respecting local tradition and modern information society.”

Annex III Danube Delta Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy

Activity No. Output Timing 1-1 and 1-2 Diagnostic Report for the Danube Delta Biosphere March 3, 2014 Reserve and the Neighboring Areas 1-3 Provision of Resource Persons for 1 Workshop for March, 2014 Consultations with Relevant Actors on Draft Diagnostic Report 1-4 Development of Vision Statement for Danube Delta May 3, 2014 Region 2-1 Report on Identification of Territorial Needs Based on the September 3, 2014 Diagnosis of the Danube Delta Area. This will Cover Sectoral Needs Assessment and Strategic Analyses of Each Key Sector 2-2 Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy November 3, 2014 2-3 Provision of Resource Persons for Two Public July 3, 2014 Consultations Meetings on the Draft Strategy October 3, 2014 Formulation of ITI proposal for the Danube Delta May 3, 2015 2-5 (Programming Period for the 2014-2020) Report on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) April 3, 2015 2-6 Provision of Technical Expertise for the Elaboration of a February 3, 2015 2-9 Booklet to Promote the Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy of the Danube Delta Action Plan Including Priority Projects to Implement the June 3, 2015 2-4, 2-6, 2-7 Strategy, Institutional Arrangement, and Monitoring and 2-10 Mechanism. Provision of Resource Persons for the Final Consultation June 3, 2015 2-11 for the Workshop to Discuss the Action Plan 2-3, 2-11 Final Report on Public Consultations June 3, 2015 2-12 Provision of Resource Persons for the Final Conference on July 3, 2015 Dissemination of the Project Results

Annex IV Dates and locations for the consultations

# Date Location Participants 1 March 23rd Chilia Veche Chilia Veche (commune) 2 March 28 Bucharest Young people who left the DD 3 March 31st Babadag Jurilovca (commune) Sarichioi (commune) 4 April 1st Sulina Sulina (town) Sf. Gheorghe (commune) 5 April 2nd Maliuc Maliuc (commune) Partizani (village) 6 April 4th Crișan Crișan (commune) Mila 23 (village) 7 April 14th Tulcea Tulcea (city) Isaccea (town) Babadag (town) 8 April 15th Mahmudia Mahmudia (commune) Beștepe (commune) Luncavita (commune) 9 April 16th Corbu Corbu (commune) Mihai Viteazu (commune) Sacele (commune) 10 April 24th Bucharest The technical representatives of the Inter-institutional Committee

Annex V

Tourism Development Scenarios

In general there are two main models for approaching tourism development in a travel destination: high volume/ low value tourism and low volume/ high value tourism. The high volume/ low value scenario involves investment in large-scale infrastructure, including accommodation and other service facilities that can support the presence and movement of large groups of tourists. Pricing of services in this scenario is based on low margins as profit is generated from the high volumes of visitors. This model is appropriate for areas, which have characteristics to support large-scale developments with easy transportation and accessibility, well-functioning utility systems, infrastructure and capacity (including human resources) to logistically support the fast and easy movement of large groups of tourists.

The low volume/ high value scenario involves investment in small-scale service facilities and lighter infrastructure that supports the presence and movement of much smaller groups of visitors. Under this scenario pricing is based on much higher margins and lower number of tourists. This model is appropriate for areas, which due to sensitive environment, geographical characteristics or other limitations, cannot support large-scale developments and host large numbers of people. In many cases tourism offerings are based on small-scale, locally-owned/ run enterprises, which secure direct involvement of local residents.

The table below offers a more structured comparison of these two tourism development scenarios based on scenarios produced by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).

Comparing Different Tourism Development Scenarios

High-volume/ Low-value Tourism Scenario

Pros Cons Capacity for high visitor volume creates lots of Entering the fiercely competitive market of mass low-skilled jobs tourism destinations, most of which are sun and Possible stable stream of tax revenue sand destinations (particularly if tax system allows for local tax Need to compete on low price leading to low collection) revenue per visitor Intensive consumption of natural and other local resources (for example, in mass destinations a tourist consumes more than seven times more water than a local resident) High consumption of government resources to support migrating workers pursuing construction and service jobs (including housing, schools, medical services, infrastructure, security, etc.) Degradation of local culture and tradition due to commodification of culture and traditions, and associated changes in human values Displacement of local residents due to increased prices of local products and services and a

changed local atmosphere

Low-volume/ High-value Tourism Scenario

Pros Cons Lower impact on culture and nature due to Fewer jobs smaller volume of visitors Less gross tax revenue High per-visitor expenditures together with Possible real estate price increases, which may low consumption of natural and government displace local residents resources Little demand of migrant workers and associated needs for government investments in support services Less volatility of the tourism demand leading to greater stability even during crises Predominantly based on locally-run tourism enterprises, generating more direct benefits for local residents Less government investment due to the lack of need for large infrastructure and high volume service capacities

Annex VI What is a vision and examples of visions

Community visioning is the process of developing consensus about what future the community wants. A short vision statement, or longer vision description, captures what community members most value about their community, and the shared image of what they want their community to become. It inspires community members to work together to achieve the vision. A thoughtful vision statement or description is one of the elements needed to form a forward looking strategic framework that gives stakeholders the long-term-comprehensive perspective necessary to make decisions on community issues as they arise. Community vision statements/descriptions are typically crafted through a collaborative process that involves a wide variety of community residents, stakeholders and elected officials.

Examples of Visions (shorter, longer, more or less inspirational) created around the word though participatory processes:

1. The Adirondack Park 2. Kirkland community12 3. Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan13 4. Hillsboro 2020 Vision Statement14

The Adirondack Park: The Next Twenty - Five Years Over the next 25 years, an understanding of the interdependence of our environment and our economy spreads through our communities. Our mixture of public and private lands is the defining feature of the Park; it drives our diverse sustainable economy and increases our self - reliance. We use balanced, slightly more flexible , regulation to preserve our unique landscape while enhancing the health of our communities. Source: http://adkfutures.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/adk-futures-vision.pdf

A VISION FOR KIRKLAND, King County, Washington, United States

Kirkland in 2022 is an attractive, vibrant, and inviting place to live, work and visit. Our lakefront community, with its long shoreline, provides views and access to the lake and is a destination place for

12 http://www.kirklandwa.gov/Community/Vision_Statement.htm 13 http://www.cityofmlt.com/cityServices/planning/townCenter/pdf/TC_Plan_December2009_Fnl.pdf 14 http://www.hillsboro2020.org/FileLib/ImagineHillsboroProjectOverview.pdf

residents and visitors. Kirkland is a community with a small town feel, retaining its sense of history while adjusting gracefully to changes in the twenty-first century.

The City is a place where people are friendly and helpful, ideas are respected and action is taken based on collaborative decisions. We have a diverse population made up of various income and age groups from various ethnic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to developing and strengthening a healthy community by creating programs that assist those in need, encourage individual expressions, provide enrichment opportunities for an increasingly diverse population, and promote healthy lifestyles. High quality local schools are important to us. Our neighborhood, business, and civic associations; our faith-based groups; and our school organizations have strong citizen involvement. Our neighborhoods are secure, stable and well-maintained, creating the foundation for our high quality of life. Each neighborhood has its own character which is a community asset. People from all economic, age, and ethnic groups live here in a variety of housing types. Our residential areas are well-maintained with single-family and multifamily homes and include traditional subdivisions, waterfront-oriented neighborhoods, urban villages and an equestrian community. We have worked to increase diversity and affordability, such as smaller homes on smaller lots, compact developments and accessory housing units. Mixed land uses in neighborhoods help to minimize driving. Many of our apartments and condominiums are close to commercial areas and transportation hubs. Kirkland’s economy is strong and diverse. A healthy mix of businesses provides valuable economic returns including varied employment opportunities and high wages, a strong tax base with sustainable revenues that help fund public services, and a broad range of goods and services. Our business districts are attractive, distinctive and integral to the fabric of the City. Many serve as community gathering places and centers of cultural activity. Businesses choose to locate in Kirkland because of our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and because they are regarded as valued members of the community. Downtown Kirkland is a vibrant focal point of our hometown with a rich mix of commercial, residential, civic, and cultural activities in a unique waterfront location. Our Downtown maintains a human scale through carefully planned pedestrian and transit-oriented development. Many residents and visitors come to enjoy our parks, festivals, open markets and community events. Totem Lake Urban Center is an economic and employment center with a wide range of retail, office, industrial and light manufacturing uses as well as a regional medical center surrounded by related services. It is a compact mixed-use urban village with extensive pedestrian- and transit-oriented amenities, higher intensity residential development, public gathering places and cultural activities. We accommodate growth and change while maintaining strong linkages with our past. Important historic landmarks are preserved, and new development occurs in a manner that is compatible with and respectful of its historic context. Our transportation system offers a variety of ways to meet our mobility needs and provides efficient and convenient access to all areas of Kirkland and regional centers. Improved transit service and facilities allow us to commute within Kirkland and to other regional destinations without overburdening our neighborhood streets. The City is pedestrian-friendly. Paths for safe pedestrian, bicycle and other transportation modes interconnect all parts of the City. In addition to the transportation functions they provide, our streets and paths are people-friendly and provide public spaces where people socialize.

The City has excellent police and fire protection, dependable water and sewer service, and well- maintained public facilities. Emergency preparedness for natural or manmade disasters is a high priority. We work closely with other jurisdictions on regional issues that affect our community. For recreation, we like to bike or walk to one of our many parks. We have well-maintained playgrounds, play fields, sport courts, indoor facilities and trails in or near each neighborhood. Our recreational programs offer a variety of year-round activities for all ages. Public access to our waterfront is provided by an unparalleled and still-expanding system of parks, trails, and vistas. We preserve an open space network of wetlands, stream corridors, and wooded hillsides. These natural systems provide habitat for fish and wildlife and serve important biological, hydrological and geological functions. Streets are lined with a variety of trees, and vegetation is abundant throughout the City. The water and air are clean. We consider community stewardship of the environment to be very important. Kirkland in 2022 is a delightful place to call home.

The Vision is followed by 15 Framework Goals. Mountlake Terrace Town Center Plan At the heart of this neighborhood--and the community--is the town center (or “downtown,”) a central, pedestrian- oriented business district. “Town Center” is a thriving and vibrant area, where many businesses and combined business/residential buildings are located. New development is compact and walker-friendly, similar to a traditional downtown. Businesses include restaurants, coffee shops, and local services, as well as retail and offices. Parking is adequate but not visually dominant from the street. People can easily hop on transit to connect to other destinations. Attractive landscaping brings in greenery and helps absorb rainfall. 56th Avenue is the “Main Street” through the Town Center. It is lined with wide sidewalks and trees, leading to a mix of businesses, residences, and other uses. Banners and decorations announce holidays and community events. Around the Town Center itself, a variety of homes (attached and detached) are located. They have small to medium-sized yards for open space and plants. In this neighborhood, a lot of residents know each other and participate in community events; they like being in the center of the city. On the west side of the neighborhood, Veterans Park, the library, and public plazas encourage community-gathering. City Hall, a police station, and a fire station also provide for civic needs. City Hall serves as an attractive focal point that complements the downtown area. It features comfortable space for the public, including community meeting rooms, information displays, and a visitor center. A trail through Veterans Park connects the civic buildings to the 236th Street park-and-ride lot.

Hillsboro 2020 Vision Statement In the year 2020, Hillsboro is our hometown. Within a rapidly changing metropolitan region and global economy, we live in a dynamic community that sustains our quality of life. Here, neighbors, generations and culture connect. We live and work in balance with nature. Hillsboro is a safe and affordable community, a place our children and their children will be proud to call home.

Annex VII List of Institutional Stakeholders

Local – residents and Local governments and de-concentrated Central government private sector units of the central government

A cross-section of Tulcea County Council Ministry of Regional inhabitants, particularly Development and Public Communes (councilors, mayor; staff) residents in the Administration Biosphere Reserve Tulcea city (councilors; mayor; staff) Ministry of European Funds Local businesses Towns of Babadag, Isaccea, Macin, and Ministry of Economy (National (business people, incl. Sulina (councilors; mayor; staff) Tourism Authority) concessionaires in Tulcea Sustainable Development Agency Ministry of Transport – River fishing, fish farms, (TSDA), Tulcea County agriculture, transport, Administration of the Lower and tourism. AquaServ (Regional water/wastewater Danube Galati operator for Tulcea County) Association of Tourism Ministry of External Affairs Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Enterprises Ministry of Internal Affairs Administration (DDBRA), Tulcea Non-governmental Romanian Waters National Environmental Protection Agency entities: Romanian Administration Ornithological Society, Danube Delta National Research Institute National Environmental Guard Vox Deltae of Crișan, (DDNRI) and Ivan Patzaichin Ministry of Environment and National Environmental Guard Association - Mila 23 Climate Change National Forest Administration Romsilva Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Border Police Development Tulcea Education Inspectorate Ministry of Transport Ministry of Health Ministry of National Education

Annex VIII Feedback from participants At the end of the workshops the participants were asked to share what they took away from the meeting. Very few comments were negative (“this was a waste of time, this is just theory”). Here are some quotes from other people: "I leave from this meeting with the joy that I can be involved in the development of the community I belong to. With the satisfaction that my ideas can make it into a development strategy. With the satisfaction that a strategy takes into consideration the opinions of community representatives and it is not made by politicians = ACCOUNTABILITY. With the satisfaction that money can be spent and invested according to the priorities of people and not the priorities of the central government”. Feedback from a participant in the consultation with the young people who left the Delta for study or work. "I leave from here with a stronger desire to help rebuild life in the Delta. I know this is possible, I am a local, and I have seen throughout the years some development, so I believe in it. I would like to come back to meetings like this, as much as I really want to return in the Delta, each time more proud of it" - Participant from the consultation with the young people who left the Delta for study or work. "As a result of this meeting I leave with a new experience but firstly with the hope that one day the commune will be as we want it to be and that somebody will really support us to start our own businesses, so that we no longer depend on the state to have something to offer to our children. We hope the Delta will become known to more people (tourists), because this is a great benefit to the inhabitants". Maliuc participant “This experience gives me the power to believe that each action we take brings benefits in the development of our city. I start to believe that it is possible for our city to grow, even if I had doubts until now. I consider that its development depends only on us, we just have to give our city one more chance.” Sulina participant “During the meeting I noticed the optimism of the participants that they will find solutions to solve the existing problems and a desire to become involved in the life of the community". Jurilovca participant

Annex IX The Vision of global organizations involved in the protection and value of the Delta

In 1990. the Danube Delta was inscribed on the World Heritage List and internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. In 1991, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

UNESCO15

UNESCO created the World Heritage List in a Convention in 1972, with the aim to protect sites of outstanding universal value. "Natural heritage" are sites such as: o natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view; o geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation; and o natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.

Each State Party to the Convention recognizes that the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage belongs primarily to that State. It will do all it can to this end, to the utmost of its own resources and, where appropriate, with any international assistance and co-operation, in particular, financial, artistic, scientific and technical, which it may be able to obtain.

The Ramsar Convention

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.

The Convention's mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world". At the centre of the Ramsar philosophy is the “wise use” concept. The wise use of wetlands is defined as "the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development". "Wise use" has at its heart the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources, for the benefit of humankind.

15 United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture

Natura 2000 Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union. In May 1992, the governments of the European Commission adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the Habitats Directive and complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979. These two directives are the basis behind the creation of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. As complex ecosystems, wetlands are of paramount importance for biodiversity. They also perform important environmental and economic functions. Naturally functioning wetlands reduce flooding events, improve water quality, store carbon, and represent a valuable cultural and natural heritage. Wetlands have an intrinsic value as they generate unique vegetal, wildlife, fisheries, forestry and recreational resources.

EUSDR The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) is a macro-regional strategy adopted by the European Commission in December 2010 and endorsed by the European Council in 2011. The Strategy was developed by the Commission together with the Danube Region countries and stakeholders, in order to jointly address common challenges. The Strategy seeks to create synergies and coordination between existing policies and initiatives across the Danube Region.

“The importance of the Danube Basin for the EU cannot be underestimated. Our policies and the investments we are making in the Basin through the EU's cohesion policy in particular have an impact on the livelihoods of 20 million citizens. The Danube needs a specific strategy comparable to the strategy we are developing for the Baltic Sea Region. A one-size-fits all approach doesn't work in an EU of 27 Member States and 271 regions. We need a targeted policy for the Danube that meets its ecological, transport and socio-economic needs,” Commissioner Hübner on the open day in October 2008.

Annex X Individual local community visions

Visioning process for Chilia Veche March 23rd

In 202416 Chilia Veche is the most beautiful commune in the Danube Delta, accessible, a well-known touristic brand. It is a united community in which the people help each other and have a high level of living.

Visioning process for Jurilovca and Sarichioi March 31st

Vision of the commune Jurilovca in 2030

Group 1 In 2030 Jurilovca has 7000 inhabitants, more than half of which are young people. Many of them are entrepreneurs, and the majority work in agro- tourism. People are relaxed, welcoming, correct in their work and well informed. In Jurilovca the tourism is friendly to the environment and capitalizes on existing resources (fish, vegetables, traditional materials) respecting local tradition and culture. Touristic objectives are well highlighted and accessible for all the categories of the public, well promoted. Young people know at least one foreign language, they are healthy and optimistic. At the school in the commune they specialize in jobs that are useful to the local economy. In the commune there are forms of association in areas of activities that provide access to big markets and attract financing sources for investments. Citizens are involved, have civic spirit, live in prosperity and solidarity. The infrastructure is impeccable, we have bike lanes and possibilities for spending time in nature. The four traditional cultural events organized annually keep the specific air of the area and attract tourists (visitors) from the entire country and an international audience.

The fishing resource is rich, as a result of re-population and the maintenance of the lagoon complex.

Group 2 In 2030 we see a proper utilities network (water services, sewage, public lighting, and communications) modern, which has allowed for a better quality of life and the development of quality services. In 2030 Jurilovca is a traditional cultural village and an event center; In 2030 each of the locals accompanies and hosts a small group of tourists; In 2030 Jurilovca is renowned for its traditional local products (fish, honey...) In 2030 the communes inhabitants are associated (collaborate) to create added value - small producer associations will have more strength and be more present There is a small traditional fishing port for capitalizing fish and recreation in traditional canoes (lotca) Coastal marine fishing has developed in order to lessen pressure on freshwater resources The beaches are exploited but the tourism is friendly to the environment

Group 3  The agriculture and animal husbandry is ecological (bio) and respects the traditions of our ancestors  the pensions have an ecological offer (bio)  strictly protected areas are more permissible to development  the development of an ecologic irrigations system - and mounting two wind turbines or  photovoltaic panels to produce the energy necessary for the base station  sealable entrance17 to “Gura Portitei” with the added advantage of access for tourists and the appearance of perch in the lagoon system - traditional fishing  tourist and fishing port  dredging the canals  signaling the entrances to canals and lakes  capitalizing on the reed in the Danube Delta  constructing a cellulose factory in Jurilovca  giving access to the village of Visina to the Golovita Lake

 disbanding the military post at Babadag as soon as possible as it is destroying the environment  Creating workplaces with proper staffing  supporting the perpetuation of Slavic languages  the dry areas are re-forested and have forest belts  commune streets are paved in Jurilovca  infrastructure is resolved (sewage, access in Jurilovca)  the Church is a place for keeping faith and traditions - Visina, Pasa, Casla - built in 1849-1850 time of the Turks  Regaining the rights citizens of Jurilovca had before 199518  Re-populating the Razim lake with fish and dredging connecting channels  including the church in the Jurilovca commune in the list of national heritage monument list

Vision of the commune Sarichioi in 2030

The economic potential of the commune is created through agriculture, the Razim lake and its workforce Centers for collection and processing through packaging and labeling legumes The creation of workplaces Bio-agriculture The return of the population to their native places: new ideas, new investments. Developing horizontal tourism: agro-tourism, familial. Maximum exploitation of the tourism potential Quality services Commune roads are paved Working sewage system Tourist port – Enisala The population is fulfilled through the realization of their long-dreamed projects.

Visioning process for Sulina and Sf. Gheorghe April 1st

Vision of the city Sulina in 2030 – Current population 3,663

Group 1 In 2030, Sulina will have 12,000 inhabitants. People walk happily on the paved streets, they do not have to worry about the next day, because they have stable and well paid workplaces. Children spend their free time in spaces created for them (parks, recreational centers, cinemas, etc.). Pensioners enjoy treatment in spa centers; Hospitals are equipped with the latest equipment and specialized physicians. Young people have returned to the city. Now they have the chance to assert themselves professionally. Some are doctors, professors, designers, notaries and others are engineers at the shipyard and the fish cannery. Young people have understood the value of the resources the Danube Delta offers and have established reed processing centers and fishing net workshops. They have developed business deals with important countries in the European Union. Fall and winter no longer seem as long and boring because the time passes differently: we go to a skating rink, pools, cultural centers, etc. The way to Tulcea is very accessible by all means. Tourism has developed and is a permanent source of income because there is no more strictly seasonal tourism. Group 2 There are no more cars, we travel by bike and breathe the clean air we were yearning for 16 years ago; I stop to drink a coffee on the shore of the Danube, covered by colorful flowers on a rustic terrace that leads me to think of the beautiful and rich history of Sulina; Where once the sight of the abandoned sailing yard saddened me, I can now see sailing yachts that our children have learned to navigate; People are happier, they hospitably await their guests, and have far more to offer: an equestrian center, a water park, an amusement park on the beach, ships carrying you atop the waves to admire dolphins in their natural environment; Ferry tours from Sulina to Istanbul are organized; The Letea forest is still just as appreciated by our tourist as an attraction but now it can be reached by a pedal boat, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles; The "Old School" we all know has turned into an educational center where children develop their skills; We sell our products, which are specific to the area and so sought after by tourists But we're no longer restricted.

Vision of the commune Sf Gheorghe in 2030

All constructions are in harmony with the environment. In 2030 the Sf. Gheorghe commune is the ideal place to spend holidays. More and more tourists arrive, are housed in pensions with a deltaic style, enjoy traditional and ecologic products as well as trips through the Delta with tourist guides (ornithology, flora) who transmit the Delta’s values attached to the tourist attractions of Sulina. The local school offers equal opportunity to the children (with those in the city). The dispensary has all the equipment the community needs. The church is the place where tourists and locals meet to share their faith. People admire the sunrise on a natural beach, hidden from the traces of civilization.

People never want to leave Sf. Ghorghe anymore

Visioning process in Maliuc April 2nd

Vision of the village Maliuc in 2030

Group 1 1. A well-structured thriving community with clear interests freely agreed on, that does not conflict with keeping the Delta unaltered. 2. Tourism based on small pensions belonging to local families. 3. Buildings that maintain the spirit of traditional architecture. 4. Sustainable use of natural resources available locally: a. Traditional Fishing b. Sport and recreational fishing c. Natural tourism and Bird- watching d. Exploiting the reed resource e. Practicing agriculture only for local interest f. Sustainable use of animal resources 5. Re-naturation of agricultural compounds 6. The education level of young people and children is high (polyglot young people capable of communicating details about the environment) 7. The revival of traditional crafts (weaving reed) 8. Official tourist routes and adapted to the ecological tourism that can be practiced by locals with small boats 9. Revived traditional architectural style. Group 2 In 2030 Maliuc will look like a tourist resort with family pensions. The population is predominantly young, with many children who will have access to a high level of education. Maliuc will be the center of the Delta, an important point on the Danube Delta tourist routes and well known for its festivals (cultural events) organized by the locals. We have tourism continuity: touring the Delta during summer and cultural events as well as fishing and hunting during winter. Delta residents will no longer be forced to poach, now they work within the letter of the law and deliver the fish to a factory (in our commune) which will produce various fish products. This is what we want our home to look like, and then the people to can be more united, and better to each other.

Vision of the village Partizani in 2030

In 2030 Partizani is:  Protected by a dike  Modern roads  Clean commune with plenty jobs  Modern pensions  An irrigation system  Clean Delta  Abattoir and milk collection center  Mini-port for recreational yachts  Parking lot  Park for children  Wind farms and solar panels  Construction materials deposit  The Rusca area is a natural area as it was before 1976  Maintained grazing lands for the animals

Vision of the village Gorgova in 2030

In 2030 Gorgova is a clean village with a paved road, children playing in the park, fishers leaving towards the fish collection unit. Locals are welcoming tourists, serving them traditional foods and taking them on boat rides. In Gorgova there is a modern dispensary, a school full of children and a small fish cannery that created workplaces for the locals.

Visioning process in Crișan April 4th

Vision of the commune Crișan in 2030

Uniform traditional image Road like a promenade, with willows, benches and well lit Traditional house museum with access to tourist information The people are calm, with an open attitude Children will be the ones generating development ideas Each villager will have a role and an important place in the local economy All natural resources will be sustainably capitalized on by locals (reed, fish, tourism) Cultural, gastronomic and sport events will spur and be sources of development. Social services are expanded to Locals will have clean spaces especially cover permanent care designed to relax in The services offered are professional: doctors, Economically stimulating environment professors, priests Transport accessible in terms of cost and time Education is oriented towards supporting Tourism is managed by locals and is tourism (international languages, bird traditional. Tourists who spend the holiday in watching, web, photo, video) Crișan feel at home. Locals protect their own Delta Crișan will be like an open book to tourists interested in the life of the Delta

Vision of the village Mila 23 in 2030

In 2030 Mila 23 will have:  A modern wharf  Roads  Organized civic centers  A modern store (for traditional crafts and products)  Football stadium with a modern arena  A park for children  Sewerage  Traditional fishing and fish processing - smoking, marinating in small workshops  Traditional ecological tourism  Raising livestock in open ranges  A location for displaying traditional products (objects + gastronomy)  A village museum  A clinic, with medical assistant  Tourist Information Centre  Processing plant for reed processing  Daily, fast access to transportation for goods and people. 53

Visioning process in Tulcea April 14th

Vision of the county capital Tulcea in 2030

In 2030 Tulcea will look like a developed, sustainable city by: Harmonizing its legislation to take into account the specific characteristics of the area, its potential, people, economy and environment. Developing the administrative capacity of the municipality regarding prioritization, financing and implementation of our projects while making use of all the benefits of an information society across all fields Making tourism the main branch of development, which includes the tourist port of Tulcea, as well as tourism services (easy access to information, recreation, etc.) Maximizing accessibility and connectivity across roads, water and air Educating inhabitants in the spirit of respect for the natural environment Transforming the city into a green city (full of parks and green spaces, and generally using clean energy) Becoming a cultural center by promoting cultural and ethnic diversity Developing human relations, civil spirit and social solidarity Rehabilitating the promenade and modernizing the tourist port Holding craft fairs Developing the infrastructure of social services Developing tourism infrastructure for families Coherence of training between labor demand and supply The "Family boat" project – that each family in Sulina would have a boat Gondola from Tulcea to Sulina, departing from the Tulcea Monument Carting circuit Covered menagerie and a zoo

Vision of the town Isaccea in 2030

We are a gate for entering the Delta We are a hub for Romania and the neighboring countries to the NW (Moldova and Ukraine) We have an economy based on family farms and micro-industry which processes and local products We have our own micro-delta (in the reserve lake region) We are the area that connects the delta with the Macin Mountains Reserve We have a partnership with Danube Delta localities for fishery and small industry – we deliver juvenile fish (valuable species) in exchange for raw reed that we process industrially We have a semi-industrial sector that processes fruits and vegetables in order to better capitalize on agricultural products for the benefit of producers We have developed sufficient tourist structures for visitors, such as agro-hostels, campgrounds, camping areas, public catering units etc. We have partnered with other cities and counties to develop a residential center for elders placed in Tichilesti

Vision of the town Babadag in 2030

When you enter Babadag, from Constanța, you are met by a landscape of flowers and pine trees. The people are peaceful because, finally, all the problems of the community have been resolved. Agro pension located on both sides of the road are full of tourists from all over the country and beyond, who are on the way to Danube Delta. Since we are located in the center of the county, we are a point of connection between the DD and the Black Sea coastline. In 2030 Babadag will be called the "Little Sinaia of Dobrogea", which will attract tourists eager to travel by gondola, which will cross the city, giving them the opportunity to admire a small European town, where there are all the aforementioned goals have been achieved.

Visioning process in Mahmudia April 15th

Vision of the commune of Mahmudia in 2030

Our boats are moored in the harbor, and we walk in our old age on the beautifully landscaped promenade towards Flamingo, where my grandson has scheduled me for an MRI in the local hospital, in order to be able to handle emotions caused by tie of the (division A) soccer game between Delta Tulcea and the Miners Mahmudia. We are awaiting transport to load pre-manufactured reed construction materials. I am rushing to get to the children's painting exhibition at art school of the “Salsovia” Cultural Center The mountain and all of the degraded land will be reforested The tourism season will be permanently open The Salsovia citadel is a tourist attraction The mountain has an access road towards the ski area and the bunkers of the Second World War Mahmudia also has an equine center - horses will be carry tourists in the Beștepe Mountains. People will live together in respect and understanding, hospitable to tourists passing through the area to visit. Besides the 50 hostels owned by the community there are also: a multi- functional center for relaxation and leisure, permanent dental care, a high school with a campus and a sports and swimming base. Together, small business prevail and the population has a high degree of prosperity. Mahmudia will be the main gateway to the DD and will look like a mini resort with the specific architecture of delta and a young population.

Vision of the commune Luncavita in 2030

The local infrastructure is developed – roads, ports, bridges, water supply, sewerage, energy, and the main form of communication is the internet Over 10.000 inhabitants work in processing plants and workshops, in tourism or in front of a computer. Due to climate change and massive glacier melt, Luncavita is the main port of the delta with rich economic activities. The bridge built between Luncavita and Orlovca (Ukraine) has united Romanians on both shores and revived economic activity. The local budget has increased by almost 100 times compared to 2014, particularly due to small and medium businesses, of the tax on forests and the financial de-centralization initiated by the government of the 2014-2020 presidency.

We are faced with a lack of space to educate the 2500 children in the commune, at least until the new campus opens in fall. Luncavita is the gate to the Delta and the commune has both elements of a mountain and marsh resort. The main occupations of locals are based on their own resources – apiculture, tourism, traditional crafts. There are many young people attracted by the infrastructure made available by authorities. Economic agents are grouped in associations, and sell their products under a brand (with delta mountain elements). Elders will be an active resource for teaching younger generation traditional crafts and will be safe due to social services (shelters etc.). The commune is protected by a reinforced dam as well as by the agro- environmental measures. Citizens will have access to our area through the bridge over the Danube. Access to information will be present in each household (internet). Agricultural land, which has been entered in a cadaster, will have irrigation systems and be oriented towards organic agriculture

Vision of the commune Beștepe in 2030

All roads are paved and public lighting is efficient Craft workshops use the readily available raw materials reed) There are many local students who learn in a modernized facility Healthcare is 100% covered The irrigation system is running at full capacity We have at least one market and an ATM. Municipal taxes can be submitted online; the public budget is spent in a transparent manner. There is a photovoltaic power plant. The terraces surrounding the Beștepe hills are reforested. Forest belts surround the agricultural villages. The kids camp is running at full capacity. The Beștepe Hills are promoted on TV – National Geographic. Animals and plants are protected Natura 2000 sites.

Internet is available in all households.

Visioning process in Corbu April 16th

Vision of the commune of Corbu in 2030

On the coastal road that connects Constanța to the Delta there is the first ex-rural, now touristic town Corbu, which offers to the visitor two access routes to the Delta through the miniport Midia, with touristic boats. Corbu offers various recreational activities to young generations. For those who wish to enjoy the silence of nature and know local traditions, Corbu offers a complete biography, as well as short trips to historical sites (Vadu fortress) In Corbu there are many fish restaurants, centers for traditional processing of fish and other meat, reed processing centers as well as the traditional fishermen village, Village Museum and a lot of fishery centers.

Vision of the commune Mihai Viteazu in 2030

In 2030, the Sinoie village and the Mihai Viteazu commune will register an increased well being of its citizens given new jobs created through establishment of vegetables, fish and milk products processing factories. With stable income citizens will be able to change the image of the commune (its houses, fences, roads). We will no longer have people struggling with poverty, we will have young population, and our children will come back to the commune after graduation, for jobs at home. The tourism will be developed around Grindul Lupilor, through family pensions, attractions like Deltaic fauna and flora, as well as a waterway that connects Sinoe to Gura Portitei. Since we have a permanent medical unit with specialized staff, night shift and ambulance, the health of the population is attentively monitored and the emergencies are solved in due time. We will have a center for family counseling and we will work with parents so that they share a constructive education with their children and encourage them to continue their studies. They will have the “7 years education at home”, as this is like a foundation of the house. Our commune will have clean water, sewerage and good roads, natural gas, playgrounds, sports hall and youth center where people will socialize and spend their free time. In 2030 Sinoie village and Mihai Viteazu commune will meet the highest life quality European standards.

Vision of the commune Sacele in 2030

The feast “INDAERA” is organized in Sacele to celebrate 10 years from the start up of the Sacele cheese patent – so wanted in the EU – which is a result of our research but also of the quality of pastures in our areas. Between June 10 and 20 Sacele is hosting every year a catamaran competition (part of the world catamaran competition) in which 23 teams from all over the world participate. The event will attract around 6000 tourists, the vast majority of which will be accommodated in Sacele fishermen traditional village; Local authorities decided on a public private partnership for building a fishing-processing factory that will process the 7000 tons of marine fish collected annually through the 4 local fisheries. The majority of people able to work are involved in the modernization of the 150 windmills situated in the western part of the commune. Over 200 students (out of which 100 come from Sacele and surrounding areas) attend the agronomic and hospitality high school; the vocational tourism school in Constanța has opened a local branch in Sacele where 25 students specialize in cultural and ecologic tourism.

Vision of the Youth in Bucharest March 28th

Vision of the young people who left the Delta in search for education and a better future

“In 2030 we want a clean delta, authentic and traditional, unique but easy toreach, which offers inspiration and is powered sustainably (energy, fish, and reeds); it integrates modern technology to help it thrive and help protect a fertile land for new generations of fish and birds. We want to have a well-promoted brand that is efficient, green and connected to eco-tourism. Locals are responsible, educated and involved in making the decisions that shape their community. It is the place we want to return to, whether tourist or local.” 19 The questions about the future development of the Delta future brought about many detailed images and ideas that can bring depth to the vision above. The phrases and key words summarized below are exact formulations of what they would like to see in the Delta in 2030:

Better access to health services: encourage What would you like to see in the delta in the children from the Delta who study 2030? medicine to return home for doing this job A clean Delta Medical units better equipped, even hospitals Accessibility – health personnel to have good conditions in A better control of the Biosphere reserve and doing their job tourism in general: more order (improved Integrate (through incentives) the current infrastructure or tourist, better access of personnel working in education and health, so tourists in remote areas that they do not leave anymore Quiet tourism (less boats with strong engines) Emergency helicopter (SMURD) Returning to tradition: fishermen traditions, Transparency: Fish Auction House, building the houses like in the old times (eco) transparency in concessions, a register of Shops should not sell plastic, but only glass properties bottles. Tourists could receive some money Tulcea would be more beautiful, like Venice, back if the bottles are returned with port, beautiful promenade, and touristic Connectivity – each village should have port in Sulina Internet connection, each child in the villages Micro financing, people have money, should have a computer. development of jobs needed locally: slaughter Environmental education in schools house, fish factory, boats factory, fishing tools, and professional fishermen The school should focus on environment extracurricular activities: agriculture, cattle More film, music and local tradition festivals, raising – all these adapted to the special more promotion of minorities environment of the Delta Each minority should celebrate their own day The school should target to keep the along the week graduates in the communities and reduce Kayak, biking outmigration to Bucharest A kind of train that takes you from Bucharest English language courses for locals to Sulina ... in a few seconds (joke) Entrepreneurship courses A better connectivity (faster transportation) Courses in project management (especially to between Tulcea, Sulina, Sfantu Gheorghe learn how to obtain and manage funds) Better connectivity with the remote areas Recreational fishing – allocate special areas from the Delta (especially when the Danube is for this frozen) Use the rich cultural assets and stories Pharmacy, dentist, call center, tele-medicine Utilities: eco electricity (solar panels), sewage, Locals would have socializing venues like in the old times (ballrooms) People will be more in peace, with fewer wrinkles because of a better life More people in the delta, having a common purpose Tourists are people who come here to disconnect from the urban life, they feel free A well prepared network for the fishermen here, they are well received, and some of Tolerant people them can say they feel here like at home Ambassadors of the Delta – locals would be There are thematic excursions, locals well the ones to promote the delta and the prepared in tourism (services) lifestyle there. Promotion of the delta should

be done using the people, not the touristic Efficient organization (of tourism services) objectives No hotel chains: accommodation units with Independence through promoting myself 1,2,3 little houses...maximum 10 tourists... so using all marketing channels that all these feel welcomed, treated better How would they want to experience the Delta as a tourist? Relaxed roofs, tomatoes in the garden, animals in my courtyard, Would like to learn new tings I also see wild animals Bird-watching I would like to see carriages; I would like to I want to learn the local stories, the stories of use them in my transportation throughout people, I would like to see them doing their villages daily activities, their traditions I would like to see a booklet/leaflet (like the Adventure – connection with the nature, „7 nights” of Bucharest) with the places where adapted sport you can visit beautiful things (e.g. The Lily’s Inspired – inspired to learn how to live in the Forest in Periprava, the Peonies Forest in same way (relaxed, etc) in the city Somova, the Oak Forest in Periprava, Letea I see poppies, the green of the landscape, the Forest, etc) blue of the Lipoven’s windows, reed on the How would you like to feel as a tourist visiting the Delta? I want to hear sounds: birds, frogs, and Quiet mosquitos. We don’t want to get rid of the Healthy mosquitos; they are part of the charm of the Happy place In peace I would not want to hear of Internet or TV a week (how long I stay in the Delta). No stress Amazed with what I see: organization is good, factors the landscape is amazing I would like to eat a lot of fish. No meal Creative (I feel like painting, writing, sculpting) without fish! The taste of the fish cooked in It feels like breathing the Delta is unique, you cannot find it elsewhere. Relaxed, detached As locals, what kind of life would you like to live in ten years from now in the Delta? Relaxed and secured (to know what money I I decide the local priorities, local have, what is in front of me, that I will not be administrative autonomy flooded again) I would be informed and educated about the Predictable life local stories, the history of the place. I would know where I am coming from. I would know I feel proud I am a local of the Delta how they built a 25 m high church in Chilia, Free Wi-Fi as a local for example Feel healthy I would like to live without the stress that I do Happy with an efficient local government – not have a job tomorrow; I would like to have decentralization – people are building their a „green” job own budget or they participate in the making of their local budget

What jobs would you see yourself doing in the Delta of the future?

I am doing the maintenance of solar panels on I see myself administering the biggest bird- each roof of the house (following reactions of watching portal, I would create a network of other participants who protested to having cameras installed close to bird areas, so that the roofs altered by the solar panels, the any tourist can see in real time from their participant rectified: „ok, the solar panels mobile phones or the screens in the pension would be on the ground”) what is happening in the Delta with the birds, without having to gate up in those wooden Small crafts workshops constructions, at impossible early times in the Agro-tourism (I see myself letting the chicken morning, only to see how birds live. I would free in the courtyard, I am taking care of the not take the man to the bird; I would bring tomatoes garden, my husband is a guide for the bird to the man. tourists, we would take the tourists on a boat I would write in the local newspaper on the channels, I would tell them the local story I would run voluntary activities: collecting the garbage, like in Japan (cleaning of the Fuji Microchips for all boats (locals would be mountain) involved in protecting the environment), but they need to be explained what they would I would have a shop with the tomatoes from gain through their voluntary involvement. In my garden – in this economic circle that the future I would see them involved in doesn’t leave the community protecting the environment, so the area will I would use the garbage to produce electricity attract more tourists passionate about (like in Sweden) nature-tourism, funds will be raised, and local will have a better life altogether I would be involved in small eco hydropower units I see myself waking up and going to the veterinary cabinet to take care of the animals Managing small waste management units in the village

Inter-institutional Workshop in Bucharest April 24th

Vision of the institutional stakeholders

Group 1 The fishing family is my host. It is a large family: the father fishes; the mother cooks traditional foods for the family and their guests and sells the rest online; the children learn in the village school. The homes have energy and water heating powered by renewable energy sources (solar and biomass). Sitting on the front porch you can admire a variety of birds flying above. When leaving, I have bought six types of sturgeon from the local fishery.

Group 2 In 2030 the Danube Delta is an area where people are integrated harmoniously with nature. It is a prosperous region where new generations carry on local traditions and the engine of economic development is the family.

Group 3 In 2030, the Danube Delta will be an accessible and functional area for local communities, which have been integrated into the international landscape of intelligent and innovative developments, as well as for those who want to settle here, a place where they can live and create green economic and social development solutions. The lifestyle of this area allows for combining traditions with modernity, a perfect symbiosis, which ensures spatial and temporal connectivity.