Strengthening the Implementation Capacities for Nutrient Reduction and Transboundary Cooperation in the Danube River Basin-Phase IProject Short Title:Danube Regional Project Phase 1

The overall objective of this project is to complement and support the activities of the Danube Commission (ICPDR) required to provide a regioanl approach to the development of national policies and legislation and to define priority actions for nutrient reduction and pollution control, with particular attention to transboundary effects within the Danube Basin and the Black Sea. The full project would address the following immediate objectives: (i) development of policies, legal instruments and measures for nutrient reduction as well as for exacting compliance; (ii) institutional strengthening and capacity building; (iii) awareness raising and reinforcement of NGO participation; (iv) development of transboundary strategies and concepts related to nutrient reduction and pollution control; (v) provide the framework for the dissemination and replication of successful demonstration activities in the region. Preparatory work will be needed in order to set up national inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, assess existing national policies, develop a preliminary system of ecosystem indicators(IW M & E indicators), as well as for other complementary activities. Project was submitted for consideration to the Fall, 2000 Council meeting, but funding limitations prevented inclusion in work program. It was restructured into a phased project, for which Phase I is submitted for Spring 2001 as part of the Danube/Black Sea Strategic Partnership.