International Relations

1. International cooperation
2. International conventions
3. International projects

International cooperation

Since the declaration of the Danube Delta and its geo-morphological annexes as Biosphere Reserve (1990), the international specialized institutions for environmental protection expressed their interest in collaborating with the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority.

The interest of these organizations to include the DDBR in different networks of natural protected areas with similar characteristics is demonstrated by the recognition, since 1990, of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve by the most important environmental networks:

Logo	Site	Description
	www.ramsar.org	The Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR)
	http://whc.unesco.org/en/about/	UNESCO Natural and Cultural World Heritage
	www.unesco.org/mab/	UNESCO ”Man and Biosphere” (MAB)
Besides the inclusion, since its creation, in the information and exchange programs of these networks, the DDBR became member of the following international organizations:
	www.eurosite.org	EUROSITE
	www.europarc.org	EUROPARC FEDERATION

The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority also signed cooperation agreements with other similar wetlands:

1. Agreement Protocol of Twinning and Technical Cooperation between Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) and the Association Marquenterre Nature (France) (1991-1994, 1995-1998)

2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of the Environment of Romania and the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management of the Netherlands(1995-2000) on cooperation in the field of integrated water management, ecological and hydrological research for the restoration and management of the aquatic and wetland areas in the Danube Delta and the Netherlands.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) and the Committee for Ecology and Natural Resources of Astrakhan Region (Russian Federation)(1996)

4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) and Biesbosch National Park (The Netherlands)(1995-2000, 2001-2006) on cooperation in the fields of management, information, environmental education, research and ecotourism in the Danube Delta and Biesbosch

5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, the “Danube Delta” National Institute for Research and Development (Romania) and the Dunaiskiy Plavni Natural Reserve Authority(Ukraine), (1996-1999) on cooperation in personnel training, biodiversity studies, management, ecological restoration and public awareness in the 2 wetland areas.

6. “Lower Danube” Euro Region
Created in August 1998, the “Lower Danube” Euro Region aims to promote environmental actions of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Lately, the specialists and the local population are convinced that environmental issues cannot be addressed separately. The borders between the countries cannot stop ecological accidents effects to propagate.
The “Lower Danube” Euro Region includes Galati, Braila and Tulcea Counties (Romania), Cahul County in Moldova and Odessa Region in Ukraine.

7. "Danube Green Corridor"
The Danube “Green Corridor” was created in 2000 following a Romanian initiative, by signing a collaboration protocol between the Environment Ministries from Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Romania, establishing a system of protected areas along the Lower Danube, including the Danube Delta.

8. Cooperation for the Natural Cross border Protected Area of the Danube Delta and the Lower Prut
In June 2000, the Ministries of the Environment from Moldova, Romania and Ukraine signed the Establishment Agreement for the “Danube Delta and Lower Prut Nature Protection Area” (Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve – Romania, Danube Biosphere Reserve – Ukraine) and Lower Prut (Lower Prut Scientific Reserve - Moldova).

9. Twinning and Partnership Agreement (2002) between the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority and the Po Delta Regional Park - Emilia Romagna (Italy) on cooperation in the fields of information, scientific research and monitoring for a common management of the coastal areas in the 2 deltas.

10. Signing (in 2002) of the “Delta chiama Delta” Association Statute, including Po Delta (Italy), Ebro Park (Spain), Briere Regional Park (France) and Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania).

11. Signing (in 2002) of the Mediterranean Deltas Association Statute (DELTA- MED), which include Po Delta (Italy), Rhone Delta (France), Ebro Delta (Spain), DDBR (Romania), Nile Delta (Egypt), Evros Delta (Greece), Albufera de Valencia (Spain) and Guadalquivir Estuary (Spain).
The objective of this Association is to constitute a permanent forum for the analysis, discussion and dialogue on specific problems of a natural aquatic, coastal environment, the economic production and the social matters of the Mediterranean deltas, especially regarding the sustainable development of these deltas.

12. Memorandum of Twinning between the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve and Brindisi Marine Protected Area (Italy), Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) and Miramare Marine Nature Reserve (Trieste Gulf, Italy).
Through this collaboration agreement, signed in June 2005, the administrative institutions, with the support of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territorial Protection, will plan together actions in order to strengthen the natural heritage conservation, involving local communities and concentrating on sustainable tourism and other useful activities.

International conventions

(World Heritage, Bern, Ramsar, Rio, Danube, Bonn, Aarhus, Espoo, Kyoto)

Convention on world cultural and natural heritage protection
Convention on internationally important wetlands, especially as waterfowl habitat
Convention on wildlife and natural European habitats
Convention on biological diversity
Convention for the protection of River Danube
Convention on wildlife migratory species protection
Convention on information access, public participation on decision making, access to justice on environmental issues
Kyoto Protocol
Convention on environmental impact evaluation in cross border context

Dresden Declaration on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change – 28 June 2011
Since its establishment the MAB Programme has pursued innovative approaches in research,
monitoring, education and capacity building, management and in implementing model projects.
These approaches go far beyond nature conservation and are suitable as models for a
sustainable way of life. Biosphere reserves are thus an important element of safeguarding a
liveable earth for the future of generations to come.
Biosphere reserves are an effective instrument for mitigating climate change and serve as
models for adaptation to the impacts of this change. This applies particularly in the domains of
sustainable land use, green economies, safeguarding ecosystem services, energy efficiency and
the use of renewable energies. Biosphere reserves are learning sites for sustainable
development.
With reference to the goals of the Seville Strategy (1995) and the Madrid Action Plan (2008), the
conference participants call on the States represented in the MAB Programme to give greater
weight to biosphere reserves in their strategies on climate change mitigation and adaptation,
and to transfer approaches developed in biosphere reserves to other regions.

Dresden Declaration on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change – 28 June 2011
Ramsar Technical Report No.5 - A Framework for assessing the vulnerability of wetlands to climate change


International projects

Implemented Projects / Ongoing Projects (Romanian)

1. „ Improvement of biodiversity conservation status in the pontic sector of DDBR through awareness, information, visits" (DDBR-CIV)”
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve filed on January 25, 2010 the proposal for the project "Improvement of biodiversity conservation status in the pontic sector of DDBR through awareness, information and visits" (DDBR-CIV) for funding through SOP Environment, Priority Axis 4, at the 3rd session.

By Order of the Minister of Environment and Forests no 1854 / 11.01.2010, the funding of the project was approved for a total value of 19,075,883 lei, of which the eligible amount is 15,383,777 lei, while the remaining amount of 3,692,106 lei represents VAT for eligible expenses.
Implementation period: January 2011 - December 2013.
The mechanism for project implementation and funding is the object of Funding Contract no.100835 / 03.12.2010, signed between the Ministry of Environment and Forests as Managing Authority and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority as Beneficiary, and endorsed by the Intermediary Body Galaţi.

Project description
PIU Report (1)

2. HABIT-CHANGE
Adaptive management to climate-induced changes on the diversity of habitats in protected areas
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority is an institution associated with the project HABIT-CHANGE. The protected area selected for this project is the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, site UNESCO, RAMSAR and Natura 2000. This protected area, a wetland, is one of the largest biodiversity conservation areas in Europe, one of the most important in terms of bird species. HABIT-CHANGE project aims to support the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority in selecting the most appropriate management measures capable of reducing climate change impacts on flora, vegetation and habitats. The Danube Delta National Research and Development Institute is contributing to the implementation of this project as partner.  

HABIT-CHANGE assesses, enrich and adapt the conservation and management strategies currently existing in protected areas. In this way, managers can prevent the effects of climate change that threatens the integrity and diversity of habitats.

HABIT-CHANGE not only analyzes habitat changes caused by climate change but focuses on the adaptation of conservative management and the use of land in protected areas. It is developed based on dialogue with users, highlighting the problems they have in terms of climate change and promote awareness of the need to apply an adaptive management in protected areas.

Areas studied within HABIT-CHANGE project are located in Central and Eastern Europe. They are National Parks, Biosphere Reserves and Natural Parks dedicated to wetlands, forests, grasslands and alpine areas.  Habitats and species of these nature reserves are considered highly vulnerable in relation to climate change.

The direction and magnitude of climate change at regional level as well as the effects on management actions are still unclear.  Locally, the level of precipitations as significant effect of climate change, may increase or decrease, changing seasonally. There will be new preconditions that will change the specific composition, especially in ecosystems heavily dependent on water, like wetlands, rivers and lakes as well as in natural forests and grasslands. More information at:
http://www.habit-change.eu/

Habit-change Newsletter, October 2011

3. Ramsar Initiative for Black Sea Coast Wetlands/ Black Sea Coast Wetland Initiative (BlackSeaWet)
Project Description (Romanian)
Project Description (English) Second Meeting of Management Body, Tulcea, 4-8 October 2010
Status report First Meeting of Management Body, Tulcea, 15/18 February 2010
Documents: Terms of Reference (ToR) - proposal  
Action Plan of the Initiative – proposal
Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) actions- proposal

4. Project „ INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM - SUPPORT FOR DDBRA MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF ECOSYSTEMS”

Project Description
ProgresS Report- January 2010

5. Project DANUBEPARKS – Danube River Network of Protected Areas – Development and Implementation of Transnational
Strategies for the Conservation of the Natural Heritage at the Danube River
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority applied within SEE Transnational Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 as partner for the project Danube River Network of Protected Areas – Development and Implementation of Transnational Strategies for the Conservation of the Natural Heritage at the Danube River, project approved by the Monitoring Committee for the Transnational Cooperation Program South East Europe.
This project will initiate a stable platform to acquire a new quality of continuous practical cooperation of PA along the Danube. Developing a common identity of PA, maintaining and developing a common cultural and natural heritage, should strengthen the administrative bodies of local and regional PA. Continuous exchange of information and experience is to ensure consistency of PA. A common voice will be provided for PA, at European and international level, to highlight the practical needs for nature conservation along the Danube. Joint strategies for river restoration, conservation of species and nature tourism will be developed and implemented. Higher consistency in the management of PA and improved connectivity of habitats is another objective of the project. Public awareness for PA goals must be enhanced and the number of guided visits and visitors in centers have to be increased as well and the development of nature tourism must be enforced.
For more information see the project website:
http://www.danubeparks.org or download the document:
DANUBEPARKS project description.pdf

Press release- 12 November 2010- First images filmed in the nest of a White-tailed Eagle within DDBR

Images from the White-tailed eagle nest (mkv format)

Press release- February 25, 2010- Ecological reconstruction- best practice in Danube River Network of Protected Areas (Romanian)
Press release- February 16, 2010- Tourism in protected areas (Romanian)
Press Release-  February 12, 2010 - Task Force Meeting Birds within DANUBEPARKS project (Rom)
Press Release- Task Force Meeting Fish, Tulcea/Romania, December 9 –12, 2009 (Romanian)

6. UPGRADE Black Sea Scientific Network within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
The project brings together 49 partners from Black Sea countries: Ukraine (9), Russia (8) Turkey (7), Romania (3 including DDBRA), Bulgaria (6), Georgia (6), together with 6 partners from EU member states, a partner from the Associated States and 3 international organisations.
The implementation period is 01/01/2009 to 12/31/2011.
The estimated total value of the project is 3,984,018 Euro, of which 3.4 million Euro is EU contribution. DDBRA’s part of the project is of 68,838 Euro, of which 61,385 Euro from EU.
The project aims at setting up a Black Sea Scientific Network of institutes of environmental and socio-economic research, universities and NGOs from countries with access to the Black Sea and to develop a virtual infrastructure for data and information to be fed and maintained by these organisations to improve the identification, access, exchange, indications of quality and use of their data and information about the Black Sea.

          Project activities are:
WP1: Management and Coordination
WP2: Black Sea SCENE Network meeting
WP3: Inventory and comparison of Black Sea Data Quality Control Methods:
WP4: Population of V1 meta-databases
WP5: Upgrading Black Sea SCENE virtual data & information infrastructure to V1 level
WP6: Training and Capacity Building
WP7: Public Awareness and Public Outreach, Promotion, Dissemination and Exploitation
WP8: Operation Transnational Scientific Access Services of Black Sea partner’s installation
WP9: Determining the quality of all datasets and harmonizing their delivery formats
WP10: Development new products for data visualization


7. PHARE Project CBC RO 2005/017-539.01.01 „Cross border cooperation demonstrating the multiple use and benefits of wetlands restoration (in Zagen and Stensovsko Zhibrianskie Plavni Polders) in Danube Delta Cross border Biosphere Reserve Romania/Ukraine” implemented between 1 August 2007 – 27 June 2009.
The project will contribute to the achievement of the global objective of the Programme, which is to improve cross border integration between boundary regions while posing good bases for sustainable economic development . It will support a new cycle of sustainable development, by i mproving environmental protection and management in cross bordering areas, by demonstrating the role of wetland restoration for ecology, economy, recreation, community involvement, monitoring, research and education.
The objective of the project will be achieved by implementing its main activities: the elaboration of a feasibility study and of an impact study for Zagen polder restoration in Romania, by organising study visits for sharing experience from Stensovsko Zhibrianskie Plavni Polder restoration in Ukraine, and implementing experience of multiple use and benefits from EU restored wetlands (bordering areas), the dissemination of the results through information materials (leaflets, mass media releases). The project will deliver at its completion a Feasibility study, and an Impact study for the restoration of the Zagen polder in Romania . Based on these two studies, will start as the next step, the investments for restoration activity, that have in view to transform an wetland area, with no important economic value, in a place for recreation, study and education, that will be introduced on the tourism offer for visitors. Will be use for ecological education for children and students, as a practical demonstration of the sustainable development of a protected area by respecting the nature conservation and protection principles. The owner of the land is the local authority of the Tulcea Town . After restoration, the recreation area will be managed by it, becoming a source of income for local budget and will offer new jobs to the local people.
Partners: Danube Biosphere Reserve of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Tulcea Branch of National Agency “ Apele Romane ”, Romania, Tulcea Local Council, Romania, Tulcea County Council, Romania.

8. Decentralized cooperation Project between Italy, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, aiming at the certification and environmental protection in the area of the Danube Delta, based on Italian experience and European standards from Regulation 761/01 – EMAS. The project is financed by the Decentralized Cooperation Program of the Veneto Region and will support local public authorities from the “Lower Danube” Euro Region to comply to the European standards in environmental protection, biodiversity and nature protection (to be implemented in 2007).

9. Project „Danube Delta – Landscape of the year 2007 - 2009” implemented by DDBRA in partnership with the International Friends of Nature (Austria), Nature Friends from Romania, the Danube Delta Institute for Research and Development and the local authorities of Tulcea.
The Landscape of the Year Project, promoted by the Friends of Nature Organization in partnership with other associations, organizations and local administrations, brings the region in European attention, supports, elaborates and implements sustainable development projects and future-oriented initiatives and finances projects.
The official launch on European level is represented by the proclamation ceremony which takes place on the 2-3 of June 2007 in Tulcea, with various actions and manifestations. You find more informations and last news on website: www.landscapeoftheyear.net/danubedelta and http://www.sustainable-danubedelta.net/

Resolution on Sustainable Tourism Development, Tulcea /Vienna, September 2009

10. PHARE Project CBC RO 2004 /016.942.01.01 “Integrated system for monitoring the environment factors, the biodiversity and natural resources from the Danube Delta Cross border Biosphere Reserve Romania/Ukraine” implemented between 2006 and 2008.
The main objective is to improve the integration level in cross border areas (biosphere reserves) in order to establish solid basis for sustainable development by creating infrastructure cross border systems.
By achieving these objectives, the project aims at the improvement of the management actions for environmental protection in cross border context. The solution is the elaboration and implementation of an integrated monitoring system. It will be backed by a joint monitoring program, a common workgroup, a common database and a mobile laboratory for common expeditions of monitoring and sample collection. The project will stimulate the internal regional cooperation, but also the cross border cooperation inside the “Lower Danube Euro Region” and the bilateral cooperation between Romania and Ukraine.
 
11. Project LIFE NATURA (LIFE05NAT/RO/000169) „Saving Pelecanus Crispus in the Danube Delta”
Implemented between 2005 and 2009, the project beneficiary is the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, the partners being the Romanian Ornithological Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The project‘s objectives are: maintaining and protecting the population of Dalmatian Pelican in the Danube Delta, establishing 5 Areas of Special Protection for Birds, conservation measures to improve nesting conditions. More information on: www.dalmatianpelican.ro

12. The Management Plan for the Protection of the Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in Nature Protected Areas of the Lower Danube Euro Region – financed by the TACIS program for small cross border projects.
Implemented between 2002 and 2003, the project involved the following areas: from Romania – Tulcea County, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Ramsar and World Heritage site), from Moldova – Cahul County, Lower Prut State Reserve (Ramsar site and scientific reserve) and from Ukraine – Odessa Region, Danube Biosphere Reserve (Ramsar site).
The goal of the project was the elaboration of the Management plan for the protection of the biological diversity and sustainable development in the Cross border Nature Protected Area of the “Lower Danube Euro Region”.

13. “Danube Delta Biodiversity Project”, GEF and World Bank financing (1995-2000). The main objective of the GEF program was to strengthen the DDBRA as an institution: Ecological inspection and warden corps, Fauna and flora monitoring, Ecosystems monitoring, Ecosystems restoration, Public awareness and local communities’ involvement, Management and coordination.
The implementation agencies for the GEF program were the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority and the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development.

14. ”Danube Delta Environmental Programme: Technical Cooperation”, financed by BERD, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, was implemented between 1993 and 1995.
The objectives of this project of technical cooperation for a Management Program for the Environment in the Danube Delta were: evaluation of the legislation and establishment of an effective and complete legal frame, strengthening of the DDBRA, especially on planning level processes (insuring training where necessary), support for work and management plan development, preparing investment projects proposals in order to promote sustainable development of the local population, assisting DDBRA to coordinate more effectively the international organizations’ activities in the Delta (creating conditions for GEF etc).