DEF - Danube Environmental Forum Protecting Danube Floodplain Youth Research Camp

1-2/2008

DEF - Danube Environmental Forum Protecting Danube floodplain Youth Research Camp

DEF Bulletin 1-2 2008 final.indd 1 2/2/09 8:08:30 AM IMPRESSUM

DEF Bulletin is official publication, Danube Enviromental Forum.

The bulletin assist the DEF to fulfil its mission: "To protect the Danube river with its tributaries, their biodiversity and resourses, by enhancing co-operation among goverments, NGO, local people and stakehoders towards the sustainable use of natural ecosystems." The bulletin is distributed to all interested parties. It is available also electronically on the www.def.org.hu

For more information for subscription: DEF Secretariat H-6500 Baja, Hungary Déri sétány 13. III. 14. tel/fax: +3679525163 mail: [email protected]

Editor: Milan Vogrin, [email protected] Language editor: dr. Victor Kennedy Design and print: NTD d.o.o., Slovenia

The view and options expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the view and options of the DEF and editor.

This publication was supported by European Union

Cover photo: Flood. Photo: Milan Vogrin

DEF Bulletin 1-2 2008 final.indd 2 2/2/09 8:08:33 AM In this issue

BED on Gajna protected pasture – contesting the prejudice that nature protection endangers rural development Iris Beneš...... 4 Restoration of the Wetlands of Zahorie Lowland Monika Budzáková...... 4 Projects along the Lower Danube Arinda Cadariu & Florin Vasiliu & Mirela Nedelescu ...... 6 The Danube Environmental Forum – a River Basin-wide platform of environmental organizations and a network of locally active groups, influencing policy and sub-basin developments Milena Dimitrova...... 7 The Course of Water – Natural and Cultural Cognitive Routes for Sustainable Tourism Kameliya Dzhanabetska...... 9 Crossborder rivers – can they be viewed as natural wholes at last? Petra Đurić...... 11 The Svitava River in Letovice Lukáš Krejčí...... 13 Protecting Danube floodplain forests in Slovakia Tomaš Kušik...... 15 New IEEE-funded project: Advanced measures for companies to increase public transport use by their employees Lucia Ilieva...... 17 ECCG Participation in DEF activities –Summary 1998-2008 Petruta Moisi...... 19 Sava Day 2008 in Slovenia Sava Osole...... 20 Youth Research Camp “Dragoman 2008” Andrey Ralev...... 21 The Prut and the Danube celebrated at Butesti Dinu Rusu...... 22 Improving Cross-Border Cooperation in Integrated Management of Water Resources in the Lower Danube Euroregion Igor Studennikov & Oleg Dyakov...... 24 Photo: MilanPhoto: Vogrin

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BED on Gajna protected pasture – con- duction), the project ensures a basis for further testing the prejudice that nature pro- sustainable development activities in neighbor- tection endangers rural development ing villages. The project has also resulted in mapped and marked bicycle and horseback riding On Gajna protected pasture, near Slavonski Brod, routes through protected areas in Brod Posavina Croatia, there were only 150 cows in 2007 where County, and increased ecological awareness in there used to be 600 only a decade ago. Lack of the community through promotional/educa- grazing endangered biological diversity, allow- tional activities, including lectures in schools, ing allochthonous species to grow and enabling organized visits, web page www.bed.hr, and pro- trees to take over the pasture. The tradition of motional materials. free-range cattle grazing is in danger of dying Iris Beneš out in Croatia, following trends in Europe. The EC Brodsko ekološko društvo – BED Habitats Directive promotes biodiversity protec- [email protected] tion, including protection of flooded pastures, one of the most endangered landscapes. In 2007/2008, Brodsko ekološko društvo BED, Restoration of the Wetlands of Zahorie with its partners and associates, implemented Lowland an EU project under the CARDS 2004 program called ˝Protection, preservation and improve- Záhorie lowland is the largest area of eolic ment of biological diversity and development sands in Slovakia. This area, located in south- of ecological awareness through breeding of western Slovakia, has an outstanding diversity Croatian indigenous species and stimulation of of habitats. The acidic sand provides a substrate ecological production”. By breeding a Slavonian for Pannonic inland dune habitats, while wetland Sirmium Podolian Cow herd on the protected habitats are found in the depressions between pasture, BED showed that biological heritage can the dunes. The Rudava River, which flows across be preserved without jeopardizing the economic interests of the local community, and contested the belief that nature protection must be costly and a burden for rural development. It is hoped that this activity will ensure enough profit in the future to continue to finance the Gajna guardian and to support institutional development of the management of the site. With the support of the community (including the foundation of an Eco-cooperative providing assistance and support in ecological food pro- Rudava river

the area, is one of the best preserved tributaries of the Morava River. Vast intensification of agriculture in the past century, especially in its second half, did not leave this area aside. Almost all important wetland sites were drained. This resulted in a decline of characteristic wetland species and their biotopes. Destruction of wetlands has also led to an increase in forest fire occurrence. Pine forests growing on sandy soil are especially vulner-

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Beaver Castor fiber. The wetlands are also inhabited by various bird species, 39 species of fish, and 18 species of amphibians and reptiles. The area also provide a habitat for endangered species of dragonflies such as Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Ophiogomphus cecilia and Cordulegaster heros and Hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita. Numerous restoration projects were completed in the course of the project. These projects focused on restoration of the wetlands’ water regime Fish by-pass and improvement of habitat conditions for the able to these. Many other functions of wetlands, most endangered plant and animal species. The such as retention of rain and snow water, which next step is the construction of a fish by-pass provides protection from floods, were inhibited. at Rudava River, which will restore this impor- Today there is an effort to restore these valuable tant fish migration route. The bypass should be species-rich habitats. Luckily, wetlands have a completed by the end of this year. One of the dynamic character and much of their function accompanying objectives of the project is to can be restored in a relatively short time, if the raise public awareness about the value of these water regime is returned to its original condi- areas. This is achieved by publishing articles in tions. The State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, the Regional Association for Nature Conservation, and the Sustainable Development (BROZ) and Slovak Water Management Enterprise jointly began to improve natural conditions in this area in 2005. The work was implemented within a project entitled “Restoration of the Wetlands of Záhorie Lowland”, supported by the LIFE-Nature programme of the European Union. The main aim of the project is to contribute to the development of the NATURA 2000 network in the Záhorie region. Eight Sites of Community importance were Dragonfly Leucorrhinia pectoralis chosen in the project area. These wetlands are home to many rare plant species, including a crit- the media, organizing excursions, and lectures. ically endangered tiny orchid Fen Orchid Liparis Although many people think that swampylowland loeselii and many glacial relicts e. g. Cotton is only a place full of mosquitoes, these areas Deer Grass Trichophorum alpinum, Meadow Bistort are in fact unique habitats for many important Polygonum bistorta, Bog Arum Calla palustris, and animal and plant species. Thus the wetlands of Common Sundew Drosera rotundifolia. Elongated Záhorie Lowland hugely contribute to the biodi- Sedge Carex elongata is a typical plant species of versity of the region. swamp forests, but rare species like Marsh Fern Monika Budzáková Thelypteris palustris, Bogbean Menyanthes trifo- Regional Association for Nature Conservation liata and Water Violet Hottonia palustris can be and Sustainable Development (BROZ), Slovakia found there as well. Swamp woods provide water E-mail: [email protected] and hiding places for mammals such as European Photos: Archive Broz

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Projects along the Lower Danube The project entitled “Lower Danube cross-border dialogue and cooperation”, implemented The Environmental Experts Association develo- in 2006-2007, was funded by the Ministry of ped a series of projects within the Danube Basin the Environment of the Netherlands (VROM) between 2004-2008, two of them regarding and developed in partnership with Milieukontakt access to information and public participation in Oost-Europa, Netherlands, and the Institute for the decision-making process in a transboundary Ecological Modernization, Bulgaria. context. The project entitled “Building effective public participation in transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)” fosters cooperation between the Environmental Experts Association (EEA) Romania and the Foundation Institute for Ecological Modernization (IEM) Bulgaria. Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Governance Support Program for Romania and Bulgaria, the project lasted 12 months, and ended in 2006. The project’s purpose was to improve environmental protection along the Danube through The project focused on public participation in transboundary cooperation between Romanian environmental matters directly related to air and Bulgarian local authorities and civil society, quality and transboundary effects, and studied and it was addressed to a varied group of ben- how the public reacts to environmental condi- eficiaries including environmental NGOs, central tions with the local authorities. The project’s and local governmental authorities, local commu- goal was to support cross-border exchanges nities, and mass-media representatives. During between environmental NGOs, activists, and jour- the project, a guide book and a web page to nalists, and through these target groups the gen- promote practical methods and tools for imple- eral public from Bulgaria and Romania, in order menting the Espoo Convention on Environmental to strengthen cooperation and partnership in air Impact Assessment in transboundary regions quality monitoring throughout the Danube River were created. Training sessions were organized basin, in terms of environmental performance to increase knowledge with regard to the practi- and towards regional sustainable development. cal application of the Espoo Convention, of NGOs An assessment of the existing transboundary air and local public administrations in the trans- quality monitoring system was made during the boundary regions along the Danube between project implementation period, and its confor- Romania and Bulgaria. An informal network mity with environmental, economic, institutional of NGOs and local authorities was created to and social Agenda 21 principles, current national facilitate exchange of environmental informa- legislation in force, and multilateral interna- tion/ knowledge and coordination of efforts in tional agreements was measured. solving environmental protection issues in the To foster cross-border dialogue and co-opera- Romanian-Bulgarian transboundary region. tion, workshops were organized, one in Romania This project increased knowledge and aware- (Bucharest) and one in Bulgaria (Svishtov). ness, and encouraged practical application of Participants debated a range of issues relevant public participation in EIA in a transbound- to environmental common transboundary con- ary context by promoting good practices and cerns. The direct beneficiaries of the project enhanced cooperation between Romania and from Romania and Bulgaria were environmental Bulgaria target group representatives in solving NGOs, regional and local environmental authori- environmental issues. ties, local public authorities, local health authori-

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ties, local communities, and the mass media. it also seeks to influence water policies at the The project outcomes included strengthened co- basin level and to identify means of protec- operation and partnership along thelower Danube tion against threats to the environment of the River region; strengthened institutional capac- Danube region. Restoration and management ity and provision of ongoing support in decision- practices and actions that benefit wetlands making process; increased public participation and water ecosystems, as well as promotion of in decision-making processes, especially of key integrated water management are implemented grass roots, professional, social groups, youth, by the member groups. The tools for achiev- women, environmental NGOs; improvement of ing these aims were very specific and mostly the existing joint air quality monitoring system; nationalally oriented, including publications in improved access to environmental information; 11 different languages, international, national increased public participation in transboundary and local events, workshops, seminars, confer- environmental legislative activities; and better ences, consultation groups, lectures, scientific dissemination of information concerning air research and applied restoration projects. quality in the Romanian – Bulgarian transbound- All of the DEF’s activities and developments ary area. during the past decade were influenced by and Arinda Cadariu, Florin Vasiliu, Mirela Nedelescu connected with on-going programmes and proj- Environmental Experts Association (Romania) ects of ICPDR and the UNDP-GEF, s well as the http://eea.ngo.ro enlargement of the European Union and implementation of its legislation in the Danube river The Danube Environmental Forum – a basin region. River Basin-wide platform of environ- The DEF has grown since its inception, and mental organizations and a network the number of the member organizations has of locally active groups, influencing reached almost 180 groups. Although it was policy and sub-basin developments established in Slovakia in 1999, the network is legally based on a Memorandum of Foundation The Danube Environmental Forum (DEF) cel- under Hungarian legislation. 85 NGOs from ebrated its 10th anniversary in 2008. The net- Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, work was initiated by nearly 50 NGOs from 13 Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Danube countries, most of them from the middle Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and lower river stream (the Central and Eastern Slovenia and Ukraine constitute the current European region). Only three groups from EU membership of the DEF. The DEF Secretariat is member states (Austria and Germany) partici- located in Baja, Hungary, and is hosted by BITE pated at the beginning of the DEF. – the Baja Youth Nature Protection Society. The The mission of the DEF is to protect the Danube DEF has its National Focal Points in 14 states, river and its tributaries, their biodiversity and eight of them EU members, and is open to new resources, and to support cooperation among members from all of the Danube countries work- various stakeholders towards sustainable use ing towards environmental protection in water- of natural ecosystems. United under its mission related issues. statement, member groups developed activi- Many challenges have been overcome by the ties at the national level for emphasizing active National organizations and the DEF Secretariat. public participation in water protection and During the UNDP-GEF Danube Regional Project, management, bringing people together to cel- capacities were built in order to encourage ebrate the natural values of the Danube River cooperation between governmental and non- ecosystems, and building capacities and skills governmental organisations in the Danube River of NGOs and young people in water related region, to support the exchange of information, issues. The DEF encourages the implementation and to promote public participation in environ- of EU water legislation at the national level, and mental decision-making. DEF members utilise

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the skills and experience developed through lobbying activities to monitor development proj- many years of practice in public participation ects which might threaten the Danube region, activities to support the development of an and to suggest alternatives to such projects. One effective Public Participation (PP) Strategy for particular focus is on inland navigation, build- the Danube River Basin, with particular regard to ing projects that significantly change the hydro the EU WFD implementation. The DEF has become morphology of the river ecosystem, and flood well known on both the national and local levels, risk management initiatives. The DEF seeks to and it continues to build a strong position on integrate NGO participation and provide input to regional development projects and processes. existing forums, thus influencing legislation and A crucial project for the DEF is to create a policies, aiming to protect natural resources and Danube River Basin-wide platform of non-gov- implementing sustainable management practic- ernmental organisations that have a common es in the Danube River Basin. Expertise exchange understanding and approach to environmental with research and scientific institutions and protection of the Danube River. The core of the universities in the area will be supported for DEF DEF’s effort is to reinforce information exchange National Focal Points, in order to develop further and cooperation among national and interna- initiatives and projects at the sub-basin and tional institutions, the NGO community, and the sub-regional levels. public sector leading to sustainable development Restoration and management of wetlands and of the Danube River Basin. conservation of water ecosystems will continue to be a priority of the DEF network. The knowledge, experience and capacity of NGOs can have a great influence on the development of small-scale wetland restoration activities in the Danube River region. These activities focus on the identification of priority sites and the practical implementation of management measures. The measures should lead to the preservation of small-scale endangered wetland habitats which support a wide variety of fauna and flora species. DEF in Miskolc, Hungary 2007. Photo: M. Vogrin All DEF member groups are invited to learn more about, and to use the appropriate tools and The DEF’s Priority Areas for the next three years methods of the UNDP-GEF Danube Regional are in the field of awareness raising and envi- Project. The DEF Report is available on our web ronmental education, policy for sustainable man- site at http://www.def.org.hu. The DEF Working agement of the water ecosystems, and in applied Programme is open to further development and practices for the restoration and management proposals for activities are invited. At the same of wetlands. A broad list of tools is planned to time, the DEF Secretariat and the National Focal implement the planned activities. It includes Points representatives are ready to assist in the active dissemination of information regarding application process for sub-basin projects. The the state of the environment in the Danube DEF Board and Water Policy Team members invite River Basin to the wider public and NGOs, ensur- representatives from member groups to support ing a participatory mechanism and promotion of the presentation to various forums and expert opportunities to influence the decision-making groups in order to enlarge the cooperation of process regarding water management, exchange DEF with relevant stakeholders in the Danube of information and cooperation among DEF Basin Region. members, and capacity building. The main topic for the DEF in 2009 will be the On the policy level, the DEF will participate in consultation process with regard to the Danube

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River Basin Management Plan. The process will be carried out according to the provisions of the EU Water Framework Directive and will take part on both national and international levels. National consultations on the drafts of the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) will take place between January and June 2009. The draft of the overall Danube RBMP will be open for comment for six weeks from mid-May until the end of June 2009. The process will end with the Stakeholder Forum. Members, experts, and specialists from DEF organizations are expected to actively participate in the consultations and to encourage the involvement of possible interested stakeholders from other economic sectors. The DEF Secretariat and the DEF Public Participation Working Group will continue to provide necessary information and materials to our members in order to support them in the participatory process. Milena Dimitrova and Rousse, the Executive Agency of Fisheries DEF Public Participation coordinator and Aquacultures (Veliko Tanrovo branch), e-mail: [email protected] the district administrations of Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo and Rousse, local municipality administrations from the Yantra river basin, the active The Course of Water – tourist entrepreneurs “Polikomers SG”, “Turist”, Natural and Cultural Cognitive Routes “Gaberof”, and the Municipality tourist agency for Sustainable Tourism (Veliko Tarnovo). The initiators applied the partnership approach “Green Corridors in Lower Danube Euro-Region - to project development. They coordinated and from Conception to Practice” is the slogan of the concerted the efforts of NGOs, local communities, activities of interested stakeholders in the Yantra state and municipality administrations, environ- basin region in Bulgaria. As a result of the active ment and education institutions, entrepreneurs participation of the GeoEcoClub “Academica” – and media. This resulted in improvement of Veliko Tarnovo (DEF member organization) in the relationships on local and regional levels, national preparatory process for sustainable use of the EU and international support, and ensures relevant Structural Funds, a new initiative was designed. interaction. The regional concept was developed The proposal was developed following a long- and agreed upon based on ecotourism, and as term partnership with the NGOs in the region, a result of the implementation of the “Green including the National Movement “Ekoglasnost” Agenda” Methodology in the North Central (Veliko Tarnovo branch), the regional branch of Planning region of Bulgaria. Activities were sup- the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, ported by the following ongoing projects: the Agency for agrar-information and innova- • "Public participation in sustainable regional tions, the Bulgarian Association of Social Workers development of candidate countries for EU mem- (Veliko Tarnovo branch) and the Economics bership of Bulgaria and Romania” (2006 – 2008), Faculty of the University of Veliko Turnovo “St. implemented by Milieukontakt OOst Europa by Cyril and Methodius”, Marketing and Tourism the Matra program of the Netherlands govern- Department. Other partners include the Regional ment; Environment Inspectorates in Veliko Tarnovo • “Green Agenda Methodology – from Policy to

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Practice” (2007), implemented by the Economic tion of natural resources, and cultural-cognitive Faculty of the University of Veliko Turnovo by exchange in the area of ecoeco- - and education�� education-- the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of al tourism. For an 18 month period, through Education and Science of Bulgaria. the partnership of the Economics Faculty of The “Green Agenda” Methodology is based on the University of Veliko Turnovo “St. Cyril and the principles of public involvement, democ- Methodius” and the Environmental association racy, transparency and coordinated application “New Alliance” (Giurgiu), we intend to establish of common strategic and planning documents a permanent network bringing together profes- sionals, and contributing to the development of cooperation among the academic community, educational, tourist and environmental enti- ties and associations, and providing better links between people, communities and economies. The collective establishment of regional tourist products with the “The Course of Water” logo, diversification of services as alternative income and employment sources, attraction of young people in new types of tourist activities, integrated marketing and promotion of through active participation and awareness rais- heritage, improvement of cross-border exchange, ing, taking into consideration thelocal needs and and provision of better information coverage, problems of the interested stakeholders. Through accompanied by improvements in administrative effective application of the Methodology, com- capacity and higher civic initiative, will enhance mon priorities were defined and solutions were regional competitiveness and will assist the chosen for maximum environmental, economic development of the region as an attractive tour- and social benefits for the local and regional ist destination. Accomplishing these activities communities. will be an important motive for continuing the The overall objective is to contribute to the efforts for development of new economic projects, p��romotion of cooperation in the sphere of tou- for overcoming regional differences in incomes rism between the communities, business and and level of unemployment, and finally, will lead institutions from both sides of the border with to the improvement of people’s and local com- the purpose of improving economic and social munities’ lives. development in the Euro Region Lower Danube. The aims of the initiative are to address current At the same time, the goals of the projects are needs and problems in the Lower Danube region, the establishment of a stable base for develop- the districts of Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) and ment and participation in future programs and Giurgiu (Romania) regarding: for for realization of a larger regional project for • Use of existing capacity for establishment of a “Green Corridor in the Lower Danube”, which real grass-roots cross-border cooperation in after signing the Declaration for cooperation tourism; by the environmental ministers from the region • Overcoming the barriers to social-econom- in Bucharest, Romania in 2000, is a real base for ic cooperation connected with sustainable development of ecological cross-border coopera- regional development; tion and networks for common professional ini- • Unbalance between available tourist resources tiatives for sustainable economic development. and the growth of tourist development in the Planned activities focus on strengthening the target region; economic development and social cohesion in • Introduction of experience and information for the Bulgarian-Romanian border area through the common nature and cultural – historical socialization of heritage,heritage , sustainable ��utiliza utiliza-- heritage and diversifying cross-border educa-

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tional and tourist products connected with it; ships and youth activities; • Necessity of supporting the efforts of single • Common assistance for existing and new eco- entrepreneurs and small and medium sized nomic activities connected with ecological enterprises, state institutions and tourist and culture-cognitive tourism; organizations for common development and • Economic growth through stimulation of tourist marketing; enterprises and developments with other border • Scientifically-applied basis for sustainable communities, organizations and institutions, tourist development and regional marketing; extension of contacts, information exchange • Not enough and low quality advertisement for and experience, all of which will guarantee the tourist destinations. sustainability in bilateral cooperation and in The proposed alternative will overcome these establishment of a professional network; problems and their negative influence on the • Increasing tourist visits through reinforcing communities, the economy, and the environment. interest in this cross-border region because of socialization of local tourist resourcesresources,, com�� com-- mon marketing and popularization of natural and cultural-historical heritage; • Increasing opportunities for developing common integrated tourist attractions; • Ensuring a marketing basis for the development of other green corridors in the cross-border Euro region; • Giving wide information access to potential tourists in the cross-border region which will fill the information vacuum for organizations in the tourism industry (small and medium The main tools are preservation, sustainable use, enterprises, NGO, agencies) and will support and protection of the treasures oflocal millennial them in information exchange and coopera- history, culture, traditions and nature. Attractive tion. heritage objects along the course of the water- Interested stakeholders from the regions of way will be connected in a common tourist Veliko Tarnovo and Rousse in Bulgaria and network entitled “Green corridors” as a basis for Giurgiu in Romania are invited to contact the establishment of a positive regional identity. Mrs. Kamelia Dzhanabetska at the Faculty of At the end of 2007, the proposed solutions in Economics, University of Veliko Turnovo, e-mail: the project “The Course of Water – natural and [email protected] cultural cognitive routes for sustainable tourism” Kameliya Dzhanabetska received technical support from the Bulgarian University of Veliko Turnovo “St. Cyril and St. Ministry of Regional Development and Public Methodius”, Bulgaria Works. This Ministry is the official Bulgarian rep- resentative for the development of trans-border cooperation with Romania and in the Lower Crossborder rivers – can they be viewed Danube Region. The financial support is in the as natural wholes at last? framework of the “Programme for cross-border cooperation Bulgaria-Romania – 2007-2013”. The word “border” brings to mind separation and The main package of activities will be imple- limitation, a point or line that one can cross only mented during 2009. by encountering difficulties. Throughout human The expected cross-borders impacts from the history we have been crossing various real and program are: imaginary borders in search of new experiences • Activation of cross-border contacts�, partner-��partner- and knowledge, but also drawing border lines on

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of border river ecosystems and sustainable use of resources in the border area of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina”. Our hopes are to raise the awareness of the broader public, including regional and local governments, from border areas of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the importance of cross-border cooperation in terms of environmental protection as a core of sustainable development in the region. Through the public awareness campaign, we are giving and organizing presentations, lectures and interviews mainly about water management, the River Vrljika EU Water Framework Directive, river conservation maps in order to create administrative spaces for and sustainable use, river ecology and biology. work and rule, where elected leaders and officials Experts from other NGOs, institutions and man- governed and managed the area hopefully to agement authorities are often invited to present the best of their knowledge and practices of the and share their views and knowledge. moment. In this human playground, life continued to grow and evolve and decline in diversity as habitats were lost or deteriorated beyond recognition when faced with everspreading civi- lization frontiers. Among the most endangered habitats are rivers; needed for drinking water, electricity, irrigation and recreation, used as recipient for wastewaters and feared of in time of floods, they are con- tinuously changed and modeled to fit human needs. When all the needs are satisfied, the necessary water taken out (and partly given back enriched with industrial and communal waste, River Neretva pesticides, mineral salts, and other pollutants), the river is channeled and dammed; we are left In April 2008, we organized one of five planned to wonder over so many questions. What is left multistakeholder workshops whose topic was of the natural river, its habitats and species? “Conservation and sustainable management of Will consumers in the upper parts have in mind Neretva River Basin”. The next workshop is plan- neighbors downstream and their needs? Do peo- ned for 17th October for the Cetina River Basin. ple and leaders of one country recognize the In 2009, three more workshops will be held on needs of other countries with which they share cross-border rivers between Croatia and Bosnia the same watershed? Who are the ones with a and Herzegovina. right to decide? A map of the most valuable and endangered river To give our small contribution to the settlement biodiversity “hot spots” in the border area, with of this complex issue, Green Action, together a GIS database and potential threats analysis, with our partners (The Center for Environment is in preparation in cooperation with scientists from Banja Luka B&H, NGO “Earth” from Slavonski from the Croatian biological society. Also, the Brod Croatia, NGO Eco Neretva Jablanica B&H Association of biology students from the Faculty and the NGO “Lijepa naša” Ploče Croatia) of Science in Zagreb is subcontracted for biolo- , started in June 2007 to implement a two- gical research on the rivers Una, Glina and Ricica, year project entitled “Promoting conservation where biodiversity data were the most lacking.

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more are planned for 2009. The handbook “Self construction of solar collectors” was prepared and disseminated (and is also available on the Green Action website in pdf format). Through these activities we hope to raise awareness of the complexity and beauty of natural rivers, their many values, and the ways in which we should cooperate to satisfy basic human needs with a minimum possible harm to natural ecosystems. This can be done only through the joint efforts of all groups sharing the river water- Lecture shed, but also sharing the vision of what a river is Action plan for protection for one of the rivers meant to be. The project is generously financed will be prepared and implemented, hopefully with by the European Commission through the CARDS help from a local NGO. 2004 cross-border cooperation grant scheme. Parallel to these activities, usage of renewable Contacts: resources as an alternative to hydropower plants Author: Petra Đurić, Project assistant is promoted. Two practical work- “Do it yourself” Green Action, Frankopanska 1, 10 000 Zagreb, shops about building solar collectors for heat- Croatia, [email protected] ing water in households were held in Hrvatska Project coordinator: Irma Popović, Kostajnica and on the Island of Solta, and two [email protected]

The Svitava River in Letovice town from flooding. Unfortunately, these measures are based upon a technocratic approach. Letovice is a small town with about 7,000 inhab- The designers suggested the construction of itants located in the northern part of the South dykes and walls and a channel cleanup, includ- Moravian Region, directly on the Svitava River. ing submerged trees. The Union for the Morava After a catastrophic flood in 1997 caused wide- River joined the decision making process at the spread damage, there was public pressure to beginning and requested a project restructuring. strengthen flood protection immediately, but for Projects like this should use modern European 10 years nothing was done. Real flood protection techniques for flood protection, where the river is measures were started in 2007 to protect the not only a threat, but creates a sustainable urban

Fig. 1. The central part of the area, where bicycle paths (orange line) lead along both banks and under the bridges. This pathway is accessible for local or long distance transport. It could be used by inhabitants to get from the main square to the railway station or to the castle park.

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Fig. 4. The old castle on the top of the hill is not far from the town centre. The protected park is on the hillsides. In this area the Svitava River flows very slowly. It would be very suitable for boating. 2) river connection to the urban structure 3) river access and active riparian zone use We first conducted a critical review of the official project. This project is dedicated only to protection from high water. It does not solve Fig. 2. The Union proposal for renovating the other problems. We think that in one sense, this main square. project even makes the situation worse, because and natural environment. Representatives of it prohibits natural inundation. The project is the town, including the engineer’s office and the very insensitive from the point of view of the river authority, did not want to change anything, town’s inhabitants. The final solution will not be however. For this reason, the Union published visually attractive. a paper describing alternative flood protection Our aim is to create an environmentally friendly possibilities. This paper provides compelling and natural solution to the flooding problem. arguments for revaluation of the official project. The river should be the green center of town, a It could also be an inspiration for other towns. place where people like to go. The main idea is to The main author of our proposals is Václav open up the area where the river flows. Pathways, Čermák, an established authority in the water trees, recreational facilities, and a semi natural management field. He has developed three prin- channel morphology can be situated in a chan- ciples which should be included in all urban nel with large capacity. A wider channel is also flood protection projects. safer in case of overrun of designed discharge. 1) partial renaturalization of the river We would like to make the river a communication axis. Alongside the river, there could be bicycle paths with varying levels and views of the river and the town to make the ride more interesting. Figure 2 offers a general view of the communication possibilities in the central part of town. At present, access to this location is prohibited.. The most important part of our proposal is the design of the main square. The official project does not address this part of the river, even though the whole square will soon be recon- structed. We would like to make the river channel Fig. 3. The official project proposes to cut down as accessible as possible. People would welcome this old big willow will be cut down. the possibility to cool off during hot summer

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days and visitors could feed the fish and the The beauty and wilderness of the Danube flood- ducks. The amphitheatre stairs will retain their plains has deteriorated because of the activities social functions. Two ledges connected by stone of humans. The construction of the Gabcikovo steps could be situated verylow on the river bank water dam caused the direct clearance of at least level . There could also be small outdoor cafes on 2,500 ha of floodplain forests and influenced the the right bank. Details are shown in figure 3. hydrological regime of other areas. Intensive for- We hope that the official project will be revalu- estry has in the past few decades rapidly changed ated and Letovice will have modern flood con- the face of the Danube landscape. Unique forests trols. Taxpayers’ money should be used effec- have been destroyed, and natural and diverse tively. The Union is prepared to help. forests have been replaced by monocultures of Lukáš Krejčí, Union for the Morava River only one species – non-native hybrid poplar, planted for maximum timber production. The last refuges of rare species of fauna and flora have Protecting Danube floodplain forests become endangered. in Slovakia All these threat have resulted in a proposal for the protection of floodplain forests, and the writing The massive power of the Danube River has cre- and implementation of the “Conservation and ated a huge network of river branches, swamps, Management of the Danube Floodplain Forests” and islands covered by dense forests with climb- project. ers and creepers and thousands of plant and animal species. The floodplain forests are the Conservation and management of Danube equivalent of rainforests in Central Europe, and floodplain forests project they are equally endangered and belong to the The Project LIFE03NAT/SK/000097, “Conservation most threatened forest ecosystems. and Management of Danube Floodplain Forests,” The Danube floodplain forests now only exist as supported by the EU LIFE- Nature programme, a narrow belt along the Danube River and cover started in September 2003 and finished in March only fragments of the area they once covered. 2007. The Project was implemented by the NGO The Danube floodplain is the largest area of BROZ – the Regional Association for Nature floodplain forests in Slovakia. The Floodplain Conservation and Sustainable Development – in forests contain two habitat types according cooperation with the State Nature Conservancy to Annex I of the Habitats Directive - residual of the Slovak Republic Administration of the alluvial forests (91 E0*) and mixed oak-elm-ash Protected Landscape Area Danube floodplains, forests (91 F0). and the Donau- Auen National Park in Austria. Most of the floodplain forests have been This project has resulted in a breakthrough in destroyed by regulation of watercourses and conservation efforts for the Danube River in construction of large dams. Excessive logging, Slovakia, finally halted the continued retreat of large-scale clear cutting, and plantation of nature conservation, and has achieved several non- native hybrid poplars means that only the important successes. last fragments of the natural floodplain forests remain. These forests are still endangered. Project site and conservation problems The system of river branches, oxbows and forests The Project site covered an area of 12,500 hect- found in the Danube River system downstream ares of floodplain forests along the 100 km from Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, is stretch of the Danube River downstream from the largest inland delta in Europe. This was the Bratislava. Project activities focused especially second biggest wetland in Europe after the “real” on changing unsustainable forest management Danube delta on the Black Sea coast in Romania, practices and halting the loss of natural flood- and was a jungle full oflife, including fish, amphib- plain forest habitats caused by forestry activi- ians, and insects, and a paradise for birds. ties.

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the project area would have been seri- ously affected or completely clear-cut within a few years. The replacement plantation forests are harvested every 20 - 40 years. This practice further limits the chances for survival of all the species dependent on old trees and dead wood. These unsustainable forest management practices threatened the last remaining natural floodplain forest stands within the Danube floodplain, and continue to destroy these priority and non priority forest habitats. This in turn affects a wide range of plant and animal species, many of them listed in the Annexes of Habitat and Bird Directives and the Bern Convention Resolution. The practice of large scale clear-cutting and removal of the topsoil layer has also encouraged widespread invasion of non-native plant species. Furthermore, artificially planted forests, even when native tree species are used, are homogenous and result in a reduced diversity of microhabitats, with a consequent substantial reduc- tion in biodiversity in comparison with Landscape of the "Velkolelsky ostrov" Island - one of the sites in natural forests. the ownership and long-term lease of BROZ. Our goal was to stop and change this Forest management is the most serious activity long-term forest management system. which, over the past 5 decades, has led to the The Project has implemented a number of dif- large scale destruction and degradation of most ferent actions to change the existing forest of the Danube floodplain forests. Recent forest management practices, including elaboration management practices have focused only on of a Sustainable Forest Management Framework maximum wood and pulp production, using large Strategy, elaboration of new Forest Management scale clear-cutting (up to 5 ha), removal of the Plans for the whole territory of Danube flood- top soil layer by heavy bulldozers, and planting plains, designation of new nature reserves and areas of hybrid poplars and other non-native enlargement of existing ones, inventory of local tree species. The residue materials after logging sources of genetic material for afforestation were often deposited into old river arms and and planting of native trees in monocultures depressions by heavy machinery. This resulted in of hybrid poplars, elimination of invasive tree changes to the natural microrelief and the loss of species, public awareness, education and train- a number of different microhabitats. ing nature conservation and forestry personnel, These forest management practices have been including study visits in protected areas abroad. commonly used in most of the forests in the Successful project implementation and intensive Danube floodplain. If this management regime communication with foresters has brought posi- were to continue, all the forest stands within tive results and we have achieved our objective -

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to preserve the last remaining natural floodplain Island. One of the biggest of the Danube islands, forests in the Slovak part of the Danube. With hosting a well preserved floodplain forest, it will the approval of new forest management plans, it now receive proper care and protection. We are is now impossible to decrease the area of natural closely cooperating with the municipality Zlatná floodplain forests through forestry activities, na Ostrove and local inhabitants in the protec- and forestry in the Danube floodplains should tion of Veľkolélsky Ostrov Island. This includes no longer (legally) cause the loss of natural habi- restoring traditional land use practices to main- tats. tain the typical and vanishing lowland landscape, In addition to our main objective (stopping beneficial for certain species of plants and loss of natural floodplain forests habitats by animals. This involves restoring and mowing the forestry), we were also able to increase the size alluvial meadow, traditional grazing, and trim- of natural floodplain forest habitats and apply ming willows or pollarding. Together with the “softer” forest management methods in selected water management authorities, we are planning areas. The most valuable forests stands no have to restore the large Danube river branch and to “no management” regimes in place, and leaving re-connect it with the main watercourse. individual standing trees in clear-cut areas is no BROZ is focusing on the most valuable areas longer a rarity, as it has been in the recent past. of the Danube floodplains, so it is no surprise that the areas which belong to BROZ are also Purchase and long term lease of land for Important Plant Areas (IPAs) identified by the nature conservation purposes Planta Europa and Plantlife International proj- An important project action was the purchase ect in 2005. and long-term lease of land from private owners. The ongoing purchase of valuable natural areas Nature conservation organisationland ownership is a principal strategy for BROZ to continue its is the best guarantee we can provide for valuable conservation efforts in the Danube floodplain natural areas. The ownership and long term lease after completion of the LIFE project, and we of land is one of the best tools for influencing continue to look for other sources to finance the forestry (by leaving the trees to live out their further purchase of land for nature conservation biological age and to encourage natural forest purposes. regeneration). There are many other activities If you would like to support us, please contact that can be implemented, such as excluding or Tomáš Kušík preventing intensive recreation, development E-mail: [email protected] / www.broz.sk / www.dunaj.broz.sk and hunting, removal of roads, flooding areas and creating wilderness zones, and allowing New IEEE-funded project: Advanced free development of natural processes, which measures for companies to increase are often not possible to do in areas over which public transport use by their employ- we do not have adequate authority or control, ees even when they are formally strictly protected. Acquiring the land was made possible through The Bulgarian DEF-member Club “Sustainable LIFE support and by other financial resources Development of Civil Society” is one of nine and gifts from private supporters. European organizations starting the implemen- After a series of negotiations with landowners, tation of the IEEE 2007 - funded project BENEFIT BROZ successfully signed contracts and acquired - Advanced measures for companies to increase land in different areas of the Danube flood- public transport use by their employees. plains. At the moment, BROZ has total control of The main objective of the initiative is to show 330 ha of the land, 44 ha in ownership and 286 companies and their employees the attractive- under long term lease (25 or 30 years). ness of public transport systems compared to car The biggest complex of land which we have on use. Especially in the New Member States, private lease for 25 years is 250 ha on Veľkolélsky Ostrov car ownership is rising rapidly. BENEFIT will

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address this issue and aims to achieve a modal pollution, reducing accidents and enhancing shift from the car back to public transport, and quality of life (especially in cities). in the process, achieve substantial energy savin- BENEFIT will implement many different appli- gs, emissions reductions, and cost reductions. cations in seven different cities throughout Further specific objectives are to raise aware- Europe. Therefore, different target groups and ness among employees and students; to spread key actors exist. The separation between the the knowledge of BENEFIT and its contents target group and the key actors is not a clean cut in the broadest and most comprehensive way line but a fuzzy one. Target groups are essential (with a special focus on New Member States); as key actors as well and vice versa. BENEFIT to save energy through a modal shift towards identified the following target groups and key public transport on the order of 2.3 million litres actors: of fuel; to optimise information about public • Employees (current users and potential users transport services; and to identify and involve of public transport services) and students relevant key market players. • Organisations representing employees (e.g. BENEFIT will make use of existing networks (e.g. trade unions) ELTIS) as well as establishing new networks to • Decision makers in companies reach its main target groups. This strategy will • Organisations representing companies (e.g. form the basis for the success of BENEFIT and Chamber of Commerce, associations of companies) will prepare the ground for potential followers. • Public transport companies In this way, BENEFIT will contribute to a substan- • Mobility agencies tial modal shift from single car use towards the • Energy agencies more energy-efficient public transport mode, • Municipalities thereby reducing energy consumption, reducing • Mobility service providers

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The project Consortium partners Country Participant name Main Role in Consortium code Forschungsgesellschaft Mobilität – Austrian Mobility AT Project Manager, WP Leader, Task Leader Research Romanian Association of Public Transport (Bistria) RO Demonstrator, Task Leader Club Sustainable Development of Civil Society BG Demonstrator, Task Leader City of Zilina SK WP Leader, Demonstrator, Task Leader Mallorca Transports Consortium ES Demonstrator, Task Leader CINESI Transport Consultancy ES WP Leader, Task Leader Public Transport Co-ordinator of South Moravian Region CZ WP Leader, Demonstrator, Task Leader Energy Agency of Podravje SL Demonstrator, Task Leader Public Transport Operator of Bologna IT Demonstrator, Task Leader The dissemination material will consist of a and provide a set of methods for followers. The website, e-newsletters, folders, postcards, fact project started on the 1st of September 2008 and sheets, PPT-presentations, posters and roll-ups. lasts 3 years. The applications will be well documented on the Lucia Ilieva, website. Together with the final brochure, it will Club SDCS – Bulgaria, www.csdcs.org summarise the experience of the BENEFIT project

ECCG Participation in DEF activities – on behalf of the DEF; provided network reports Summary 1998-2008 concerning participation; developed joint projects within the Danube Regional Project (UNDP/ The Eco Counselling Centre Galati became a mem- GEF); became a member of the national Danube ber of the first NGO working group organized in Day working group to help organize Danube Day the framework of the REC Szentendre project in on an international level in both 2004 and 2006, November 1998 and contributed to the establish- and Danube Art Master (DAM)-related events on a ment of the DEF, and in later years to its develop- national level since its first edition in 2004. ment and promotion, internationally, regionally In addition to the above mentioned successes, and nationally . ECCG considers of extreme significance for the In 2000, ECCG became a formal member organiza- improvement of the participatory approach in tion of the DEF, held board membership, and also the Danube River Basin, by far, its active involve- the status of Speaker for Lower Danube Region ment regarding the TEN-T Programme starting until 2008. Concurrently, ECCG has been a DEF in 2003 alongside European NGO networks such Observer to the ICPDR, and has been nominated as the WWF. a member of the various ICPDR Experts Working Representing DEF for the works at the 4th Meeting Groups. of the Signatory Parties of the ESPOO Convention Throughout the past 10 years, ECCG has raised co- funding for DEF related activities each year, in association with both the international and the national network; organized training workshops, conferences, seminars, and study trips; elabo- rated and disseminated DEF-related publications and informative materials, including posters, bro- chures, leaflets, guiding wetland restoration man- ual; and secured the Romanian version of almost all of them; participated in countless meetings

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in May 2008 in Bucharest can be considered have very different backgrounds, but the school to have been a top event in international NGO itself is situated in the outskirts of our capital, solidarity, and we are especially pleased to have Ljubljana. seen the environmental policy complied and Since Slovenia joined the EU, it has become secured in the Danube Delta. Personally, I felt apparent that the EUlegislature actively protects vindicated when Ukraine was issued a caution waterways. We try to take an active part in car- status because of its lack of consideration, and ing for our environment. of compliance with environmental legislation Every year students from the Secondary and policy. The 5-year DEF /ECCG involvement Educational Centre of Biotechnology at the succeeded, and secured a precedent whenever Technical Grammar and Veterinary Nursing such aggression against aquatic ecosystems are School prepare a celebration of international ever planned or developed. Sava Day. The 5th edition of the Danube Art Master This year the celebration was held on Wednesday, Competition may also be considered to be a the 4th of June, because the 1st of June was a great success as hundreds, even thousands, of Sunday. participants joined the Danube Day festivities. In cooperation with DEF, the Ministry for In conclusion, thinking back to what the DEF Environment, and the Municipality of Ljubljana, symbolizes for the ECCG and for myself has we organized a march from our school through always reminded me of its enthusiasm, dedi- the town centre to the Town Hall. cation, motivation, and ultimately love for the There we stopped to sign a petition prepared by Danube River, its tributaries and Delta. When I our students. It is a letter of good will, stating think of DEF I visualize hundreds of committed that each and every one of us will do his or her participants, many anonymous, but always there best to protect the waters in our country. whenever needed. ECCG considers it to be a special honour to have been involved in the DEF’s road to success. Petruta Moisi

Sava Day 2008 in Slovenia

Ours is a grammar and veterinary nursing school with an emphasis on the sciences, mostly biology, biotechnology and veterinary nursing. We like animals, eko projects and nature in general. Our pupils come from all parts of the country and

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the Chepan Hill, which is home to many rare and relict plants. As a result of drainage after the 1930s, the marsh disappeared. After draining stopped in 1996, the active work of the Balkani Wildlife Society led to continuous recovery of the wetland. 250 bird species have been registered here since then (140 breeding). In 2006 a completely new nesting site formed in the reeds, the first breeding site for Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) in southwest Bulgaria and second for Great White Egret (Egretta alba) in all Bulgaria. Currently, Dragoman Marsh is the only wetland in Bulgaria with a chance of being fully restored. The workcamp was a continuation of the activities of Balkani for study, restoration and sustainable use of the natural resources in the area. 21 volunteers from Bulgaria and Germany between the ages of 18 and 30 took part in the workcamp. Each group had a leader who worked together with the volunteers. The main goals of this workcamp were to improve the participants’ field work skills, promote the importance of field During the entire march and later in front of the work, and to improve the nature site. They were Town Hall the students carried banners explain- carried out successfully through the following ing what the event was and inviting passers by activities: to join us. • Bird Ringing - six nets were used in the bushes Sava Osole, and reeds and many warblers, tits, buntings, BIC GVŠ, Ljubljana, Slovenia, thrushes, nightingales and a Wryneck were E-mail: [email protected] ringed and blood samples were taken to be studied. The volunteers learned a lot from the experts from the Institute of Zoology, Boris Youth Research Camp “Dragoman Nikolov and Petar Shurulinkov. 2008” • Reconstruction of Dragoman Marsh educational trail and facilities - a new stretch of 100 The Youth Research Camp “Dragoman 2008” took meters and a platform was constructed. It was place in Bulgaria from September 1st to 14th, designed 60 cm higher than before in order 2008. The camp was located at the Dragoman to avoid being covered by water in spring. Marsh and Chepan Hill (40 km from Sofia) in co- The new trail is 80 cm wide and suitable for operation between the BALKANI Wildlife Society children’s use. The volunteers helped the local and the Danube Environmental Forum (DEF). The workers by nailing down the planks and trans- camp was supported by DEF and the Embassy of porting the materials. the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia under • Marking of Chepan Hill educational trail: the the auspices of the Small Nature Management whole Chepan trail was marked and stone Projects Programme (Matra/KNIP). mounts were put where the paint was not vis- Dragoman Marsh is located in West Bulgaria close ible. The installation of information panels is to the Serbian Border. It is surrounded by cal- planned in the future to make the trail inter- careous hills, of which the most important is active.

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• Work on the Wetland Conservation Center: the hardest work of the workcamp was on the building where the first Wetland Conservation Centre in Bulgaria will be established. Unexpected problems were solved; the floor of one of the rooms proved to be too high Dragoman Marsh is being restored to a level and the volunteers removed the top 50 cm. that can fulfill the criteria for designation Additionally, they helped the local constructor, of Wetlands of International Importance Valeri Denkov, by transporting material, clean- (Ramsar Convention). During the camp, the ing the roof, and painting. Ideas for the devel- experts guided the collection of informa- opment of the center were also discussed. The tion for the Ramsar proposal, lectures about first part of the Center should be open by the Ramsar were presented, and soon a proposal end of 2008. will be submitted. This is very important in order to achieve our most important and long- lasting goals. Andrey Ralev, BALKANI Wildlife Society, Bulgaria, e-mail: ara- [email protected] photos: BALKANI Wildlife Society

The Prut and the Danube celebrated at Butesti

At the end of cherry season, people gathered • Education and lessons sessions: every evening at the base of the Butesti rock (Glodeni raion) there were educational activities, discussions and its famous grotto. This was the second time and games. There were two rest days, one at that this idyllic location hosted the celebrati- the Dragoman town, its surrounding and the on of music and nature that marked the 29th open-air swimming pool, and one with a trip of June, International Danube Day. The event to the Nishava River, two monasteries and a was organized by the local public authorities of rock church. There were lectures from Rossen Glodeni, the International Commission for the Tzonev (Sofia University), Radoslav Stanchev Protection of the Danube River (coordinated (Ministry of Environment and Waters) and by dr. Dumitru Drumea) and the Ecological Lyudmil Voynov (Dragoman municipality). Movement of Moldova, as a National Focal Point • Ramsar site proposal: the area of the of the Danube Environmental Forum.

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The rock of Butesti is guarded by three crosses Alecu Reniţă, President of the Ecological on its top. It is sunny and the air smells of Movement of Moldova, emphasized that such savory, lavender and chicory. As the celebrations events must be organized in the most beautiful began, hundreds of people occupied their places, places throughout the Prut river basin. Indeed, searched for a good view from above the rocks, Butesti rock and its gorges are situated in a regi- retreated into the shadows of the grotto, or laid on rich in natural monuments, such as The Big their blankets on the grass near the river. Artists Rock, saved from destruction by the Ecological in traditional clothing prepared themselves and Movement of Moldova two decades ago, the their instruments. People talked about the exhi- “One Hundred Mounds” landscape reserve, or the bition of folk art and the eagerly anticipated “Princely Forest” natural reserve, and it is part of wine that fired the celebrations into the night. the Toltry area, unique in Europe. “This event is Butesti is an old place. Its 15-million-year-old a chance for you to enjoy the beauty of nature coral limestone rocks were molded by Camenca, and warm meetings from other people, and this is a tributary of Prut. Documents attest to the why it should have continuity. You leave to your founding of the village in 1637, about a cen- children, grandchildren and grand-grandchil- tury and a half after the reign of the greatest dren everything that is beautiful here, so that Moldavian ruler, Stephan the Great. However, the they will also have a chance to admire this rare area has been inhabited for thousands of years. treasure of Moldova. Love your village and your Archaeological researcher have found millennia- motherland, protect your waters and forests”, Mr. old traces back to the Dacians, who lived here Reniţă added. 2-3 thousand years ago, and further back to the The Danube and Prut Day was a celebration of Paleolithic, tens of thousand of years ago. On beauty, which is why the organizers gave folk Danube Day this year, people from two raions of artists the chance to exhibit their works on the Moldova gathered here as spectators on these slopes of the rock. rocks. We had warm conversations with the participants The celebrations were opened by the President in the event. The folk artists shared some of their of Glodeni raion, Mr. Ion Movila, who brought a secrets and passion for their work, and told message of love and concern for the Danube and the stories of their lives. Some elderly women its tributaries. The fact that it flows through so remembered how clean the water of Camenca many countries is not to the advantage of the used to be, and spoke of the places they lived river, which suffers great pressure from human in with a degree of knowledge and details more activities. He urged people to remember the common to geographers. Other women recalled small rivers of the region that were once clean the traditions of horas (traditional folk dances), but which are now polluted, their ecosystems and the courtesy games of such gatherings, and destroyed by dams or human works of river how they are not the same any more. Everyone management. He added that the waters of these invited us to pass through their villages, as they rivers will flow into Prut and subsequently into had many stories to tell. the Danube, affecting people from many com- After the show, the group from Chişinău had a munities, so that the inhabitants on the banks chance to visit the “One Hundred Mounds” lan- of small rivers must do what they can to keep dscape reserve and the “Princely Forest” nature the waters clean for themselves and others. He reserve, with its European bisons area and obser- ended his speech with the words: “Danube Day vation points. is a celebration of all the rivers in the Danube We returned to Chişinău in the evening, but the basin. If you live on the river banks of Prut, people continued to celebrate until late at night, Camenca, Racovat, Draghiste, Ciuhur, Lopatnic or dancing in horas, gathering together in circles. any other river that flows into the big river, mark Dinu Rusu, this day, the 29th of June, with yourlove for water, Natura magazine correspondent the symbol of life.” Translated into English by Lucian Reniţă

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Improving Cross-Border Cooperation in Integrated Management of Water Resources in the Lower Danube Euroregion

A project under this name started in July 2007 with financial support from the European Commission through the Neighbourhood Programme entitled »Romania - Ukraine«. The project’s overall objective is to build capacities for introducing an integrated approach to the management of water resources through improving cooperation, collaboration, coordination and communication between stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and a better quality of life in the border areas of Ukraine and Romania, focusing on the Lower Danube EuroRegion. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen the institutional infrastructure, to improve technical capacities, and to draft a tool kit for public authorities’ management of water resources in the Lower Danube EuroRegion. Launching a motorboat for mobile hydromeasuring Geographically, the project is implemented in laboratory. the Odessa Oblast and Tulcea County, member regions of the Lower Danube EuroRegion, and • improvement of institutional capacities for aims to facilitate networking between regional integrated management of water resources water management departments in these border in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Region regions of Ukraine and Romania. and cross-border cooperation in the manage- The project includes two major components: ment of water resources in the Danube Delta. • modernisation of the system of hydro-mete- To build an institutional base for integrated orological and hydro-chemical monitoring in management of water resources in Ukraine’s the Ukrainian part of the Danube Region and Danube Region, the project provides organi- the development of a Ukrainian-Romanian sational, methodological and advisory sup- integrated system of hydrological monitoring port for the launch of the Danube River Basin in the Danube. To achieve this, the project Management Department’s activities. This contributes to the improvement of techni- organisation was established in April 2008 cal capacities for these purposes in Ukraine and headquartered in Izmail. Its creation has and helps with building closer cooperation become one of the steps to implement a policy between Ukrainian and Romanian experts and towards transition from a sectoral approach public authorities involved in the process. It to the management of water resources in should be mentioned that the project is viewed Ukraine to integrated management conducted as a complimentary activity to the Phare CBC by the State Committee of Ukraine for Water Project “Integrated System for Monitoring the Management, a central government body Environmental Factors, Biodiversity and Natural responsible for water management and flood Resources in the cross-border Biosphere Reserve protection. “Danube Delta” Romania/Ukraine” conducted by As the idea of integration suggests that vari- the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, ous stakeholders should be brought together Romania, that has a similar component. and involved in the decision-making process,

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the project team, in cooperation with key people from the Danube River Basin Management Department, has begun the process of creating a Danube River Basin Council (Water Parliament) in Ukraine’s Danube Region. Working towards formal endorsement of the process, the project team produced draft Regulations of the Danube River Basin Council and Regulations of the Secretariat

First meeting. is based on both scientific knowledge and data, and people from various sectors, interests and perspectives, whose contribution is to involve all the stakeholders in this process and to ensure that policies and actions are agreed and that a commitment is made to working towards their achievement. It should be mentioned that the project team, while drafting the plan, is working in cooperation Joint Romanian-Ukrainian vessel expedition. and coordination with the ICPDR’s River Basin Management Expert Group (RBM EG) to achieve of the Danube River Basin Council. Two events compliance with the Danube River Management were held in Izmail to discuss and adopt them: Plan. a round table entitled “The Perspectives of the As the plan-making process involves alot of infor- Creation of a River Basin Council in the Ukrainian mation, much of this is best conveyed on maps. part of the Danube Region”, 17 April 2008, and The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) an international workshop entitled “Improving is viewed as an excellent way to present a lot Cross-border Cooperation in Integrated of information. Therefore, GIS-based maps of Management of Water Resources in the Lower Ukraine’s Danube area are seen as a valuable out- Danube Euroregion”, 9-10 July 2008. The Danube put from the project to provide public authori- River Basin Council in Ukraine’s Danube Region ties with information for the decision-making was established on 9 July 2008 as a platform and strategic planning process based on sound to encourage stakeholders and the community science. Cooperation between the project team to hear about progress on issues (problems & and the ICPDR’s ad-hoc Information Management opportunities) and plans, and to provide them & GIS Expert Group is a valuable way to achieve with information to help inform the decision- this. In addition, the project team contributes to making process. The formal establishment of the the Danube GIS. Danube River Basin Council is not the end of the The project is ongoing. Its team welcomes any process but a launch only. We should remember ideas and cooperation to achieve better integra- that integrated management of water resources tion in the management of water resources in the is a continuous process! Lower Danube. The preparation of an integrated water manage- Web: http://crs.org.ua/en/projects/current/49.html ment plan for the Ukrainian part of the Danube Igor Studennikov, Region is also viewed as an important step to Project Manager, Centre for Regional Studies, introduce an integrated approach to the man- Odessa, UA agement of water resources in the Ukrainian part Oleg Dyakov, of the Danube Region. The plan-making process Project Expert Team Leader, ICPDR’s RBM EG

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DEF Bulletin 1-2 2008 final.indd 25 2/2/09 8:09:04 AM The Danube Environmental Forum Newsletter.

DEF CONTACT: CZECH REPUBLIC ROMANIA Union for Morava River Eco Counselling Center Galati DEF Secretariat Panska 9 Str. Basarabiei nr. 2 Déri sétány 13. III.4. 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic 800201 Galati, Romania H-6500 Baja, Hungary Tel.: +420 542 422 755 Tel.: +40 236 499 957 Tel.: +36 525 163 Fax: +420 542 422 752 Fax: +40 236 312 331 Fax: +36 525 163 e-mail:[email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] web: http://www.sweb.cz/uprm web: http://www.cceg.ro web: www.def.org.hu Contact person:Lukás KREJCI Contact person: Petruta MOISI Contact Person: Viktor OROSZI GERMANY SERBIA DEF National Focal Points in all Bund Naturschutz in Bayern e.V. Danube Environmental Forum Serbia Danube countries Pettenkoferstrasse 10a/I Andricev venac 2, 80336 Munchen, Germany 11 000 Beograd, (Planinarski savez), AUSTRIA Tel.: +49 89 548298 63 Serbia Distelverein Fax: +49 89 548298 18 Tel./Fax: +381 11 32 31 374 Franz Mair Strasse 47 web: http://www.bund-naturschutz. e-mail: [email protected]; mbartula@ 2232 Deutsch Wagram, Austria de eunet.yu Tel.: +43 2247 511 08 Contact person: Christine MARGRAF web: http://www.defyu.org.yu Fax: +43 2247 511 08 9 e-mail: christine.margraf@bund- Contact person: Mirjana BARTULA e-mail: [email protected] naturschutz.de web: www.distelverein.at Contact person: Gerhard NAGL SLOVAKIA Contact person: Astrid THOBY e-mail: [email protected] DAPHNE - Institute of Applied Ecology Podunajska 24 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA HUNGARY 821 06 Bratislava, Slovakia Center for Environmentally BITE Baja Youth Nature Protection Tel.: +421 2 455 240 19 Sustainable Development (CESD) Society Fax: +421 2 455 240 19 Stjepana Tomica 1 Petőfi sziget 11 e-mail: [email protected] 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and H – 6500 Baja, Hungary web: www.daphne.sk Herzegovina tel: +36 30 2992 307 Contact person: Milan JANÁK Tel: +387 33 212 466 Fax: +36 79 525 163 Fax:+387 33 207 949 e-mail: [email protected] SLOVENIA e-mail:[email protected] web: http://bite.baja.hu Society for Bird Research and Nature Contact person: Vildan Mulagic Contact person: TAMÁS Enikő Anna Protection (DPPVN) Ptujska c. 91 BULGARIA MOLDOVA SI-2327 Race, Slovenia Centre for Environmental Information Ecological Movement of Moldova Tel.: +386 041 699 268 & Education (CEIE) (MEM) Fax: +386 01 754 9379 67 Tsanko Tserkovski Str./3, fl. 2, apt. 3 Serghei Lazo St. no. 13 e-mail: [email protected] 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria 2004 MD Chisinau, Republic of web: www.dppvn.eu tel./fax: +359 2 8669047 Moldova Contact person: Milan VOGRIN e-mail: [email protected] , [email protected] Tel.: + 373 22 237423 web: www.ceie.org Fax: + 373 22 232408 UKRAINE Contact person: Milena DIMITROVA e-mail: [email protected] The Western Center of the Ukrainian web: www.mem.md Branch of the World Laboratory CROATIA Contact person: Lucian RENITSA 4 Mateyko St. Zeleni Osijek 290000, Lviv, Ukraine Opatijska 26 f (zgrada Konzuma, Jug MONTENEGRO Tel./Fax: +38 0322 353 384 2) Friends of the Tara River Society e-mail: [email protected] 31000 Osijek, Croatia Ulica Svetog save 37, p.b. 31 Contact person: Petro HRYTSYSHYN tel.: +385 31 565 180 84220 Žabljak, Montenegro Fax: +385 31 565 182 Tel. & Fax: + 382 89 361 115 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail:[email protected] web: http://www.zeleni-osijek.hr Contact person: Miroslav Contact person: Dinko PESIC SLJIVANCANIN

26 DEF Bulletin 1-2 / 2008

DEF Bulletin 1-2 2008 final.indd 26 2/2/09 8:09:05 AM How to contribute to DEF Bulletin? Dear contributors! To make it easier for all of us (contributors, readers, editor) I shall provide short instructions for which I kindly ask you to follow when preparing a contribution for our bulletin. In your article please report of your activities, events, actions (not describe your future plans) since these are much more interesting for readers than your future plans (which maybe you will not be able to fulfil). Do not forget to describe the activities, and where, when and who was involved in them. Try to find an attractive title of your article that will draw the readers' attention already on account of the title. Be short! Up to 200 or 300 words should be enough to tell the story. There are, of course, some exceptions possible but in this case please, consult the editor first. If you use any references in the text, please, add them the end of your article, since some of the readers may be interested for more data and further reading. Where useful and possible also web link is recommended. When possible, add also pictures which are always more attractive to readers then just plain text. The pictures can be in electronic format (jpg.) or are normal pictures or slides. Please add your name and address and where possible, also e-mail address. Editor has the right to change the text (e.g. shortening) if this is considered necessary. All contributions should be sent to the editor on the following e-mail address: [email protected] - indicate in the subject "Contribution for DEF Bulletin".

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DANUBE RIVER BASIN 2/2/09 8:09:07AM