The document discusses adaptive management in the Danube River Basin. It notes that the basin covers 10% of Europe, includes 19 countries and 81 million inhabitants, and has historical differences and economic disparities. Key problems in the basin include nutrient pollution, loss of wetlands, and the need for transboundary cooperation. The challenges are strengthening institutions, addressing legal framework disparities, and evolving strategies over time. The approach takes an adaptive management strategy through close cooperation with the ICPDR and supporting non-EU countries equally. Innovations include technical solutions to support policy, pilot demonstrations, tools to reform tariffs and strategies, and assessing the Danube's impact on the Black Sea. Fulfilling political, operational, and communication requirements can

1. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT IN THE
DANUBE RIVER BASIN
Philip Weller, ICPDR Executive Secretary
Ivan Zavadsky, Regional Programme Director

2. THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN
» 10% of Europe;
» 81 Mio Inhabitants;
» 19 Countries;
» Historical differences and
economic disparities;
» Established commission –
ICPDR.

3. KEY PROBLEMS
» Nutrient pollution;
» Loss of riverine wetlands;
» Need for transboundary cooperation
in developing IRBM;
» Impact of the Danube on the Black
Sea.

4. CHALLENGES OF THE PROJECT
» Strengthening capacities of the
institutions in the Danube
region;
» Addressing disparities in
legislative and policy framework
of the Danube countries;
» Evolving SAP (1994) to Joint
Action Plan (2000) and River
Basin Management Plan (2009).

5. THE APPROACH
» Close cooperation with the
Commission:
» ICPDR – co-executing body;
» Embedding of the project into the
existing structure;
» Adaptation to the basin needs:
» Supporting non EU countries in the
work of the ICPDR on equal basis;
» Responding to the evolving
priorities of the countries.

6. THE INNOVATIONS
» Technical solutions to support policy
implementation:
» Harmonized approach for River
Basin Management;
» Validation of wider policy concepts
through pilot demonstration;
» Developing tools for tariffs reforms
and investment strategies;
» Assessing the impact of the
Danube to the Black Sea.

7. THE INNOVATIONS
» Focus on public participation and
communication:
» Strengthening the Danube
NGOs;
» Direct linking of Small Grants
Programme to key project
objectives;
» Developing communication tools
to increase impact of the
project.

8. RELEVANCE OF THE DANUBE
INNOVATIONS
1. Strategic and political:
» Institutional and legal framework in combinations
with long-term programmatic approach of donors
(e.g. 15 years of GEF in the Danube Basin).
» Partnerships:
o GEF Danube – Black Sea Strategic Partnership;
o Danube – Black Sea Commissions’ Memorandum
of Understanding;
o Partnerships with other multilateral donors
(e.g. EU).

9. RELEVANCE OF THE DANUBE
INNOVATIONS
2. Operational / technical
» Joint programmes of
actions
» Evidence based information
» Best technologies in
practice
3. Communication
» Civil society participation
and public outreach

10. Fulfilling the three key requirements
(political – operational – communication)
will ensure sustainability of project results.