“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” Consolidation of the nature protected areas network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development (SD) in the Danube Delta (DD) and Lower Prut River Region (LPRR) - PAN Nature MIS ETC 1716 Joint Trilateral Commission (JTC) and Working groups First Meeting Tulcea, Romania, 22 nd - 23 rd of October 2014

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” The project is financed by EU under Joint Operational Programme Romania – Ukraine – Republic of Moldova Overall objective(s): To reduce the loss of biodiversity and to improve the local people´s livelihoods through introducing an integrated approach to the management of natural resources in the transboundary DD and LPRR, and strengthening community involvement in the SD of the region. Specific objectives: 1. To improve institutional framework for the transboundary management of protected areas in the region by fostering activities of the Joint Trilateral Commission (JTC); 2. To assist MD with establishing a Biosphere Reserve in the Lower Prut area; 3. To extend protected areas in the UA part of the DD and make a pilot rehabilitation of degradated wetland ecosystems; 4. To strengthen cooperation in the management of “DD” Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve (RO/UA); 5. To set up a joint fire prevention and warning system in the “DD” Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve (RO/UA).

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” Target groups: 1) 220 scientist and officers of the reserves in the three reserves (DDBR, DBR, LPNR); 2) 18 JTC members of the 3 countries; 3) Local stakeholders: 2,000 professional fishermen, 3,000 reed harvester, 2,000 hunters; 4) About 250,000 tourists visiting the protected areas every year; 5) Companies providing navigation and shipping services in the DD area (8); 6) Emergency management authorities operating in the target area; 7) About 15 local NGOs in the target zone, involved in environment protection in the project area. Final beneficiaries: 1) 3 reserves (DDBR, DBR, LPSR); 2) Regional environmental protection authorities of RO and UA and the MD Environment Ministry; 3) 3 water management authorities in the target zone; 4) RO, UA, MD and international scientific community; 5) Economic sectors: fishing, hunting, tourism, shipping and navigation, reed harvesting; 6) International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR).

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” Results: 1) Improved management of biodiversity and natural resources in the region, incl. JTC working on regular basis and joint communication and training centre; 2) Ground work for establishing a Biosphere Reserve in the Lower Prut area (MD) is done including equipped office, trained staff and prepared documentation); 3) Rehabilitated degraded wetland ecosystems in the UA part of the project area; 4) Joint fire prevention and warning system is created; 5) Improved public awareness on the value of biodiversity conservation and wise use of natural resources for the SD and better quality of life; 6) Reduced loss of biodiversity. Tangible outputs: 1) Prepared documents for “biosphere reserve” status of the protected natural area selected by the MD party in the Lower Prut area; 2) The Reserve head office modernized/refurbished/extended and equipped on the MD side as well as equipment for the other 2 reserves; 3) Updated Management Objectives for Biodiversity Conservation and SD in Nature Protected Areas of the DD and Lower Prut Area; 4) Management plan for the regional landscape park “The Izmail Islands”. 5) Inventory of valuable areas for further extension of protected areas in UA; 6) Publications for the general public and website.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” Main activities: GA1. Project management, coordination and communication, including public awareness. GA2. Improving institutional and technical capacities: JTC meetings; communication and training centre creation; exchange of experience; training of staff, studies. GA3. Assisting with establishing a Biosphere Reserve in the Lower Prut area. GA4. Rehabilitation of wetland ecosystems. GA5. Setting up a joint fire prevention and warning system. Implementation period: Total Eligible Budget of the Action: 2,259, EURO.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” Name of beneficiary of grant contract: DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AUTHORITY (LP) Name and title of the Contact persons: Viorica BÎSCĂ, General Project Manager Ion MUNTEANU, Project Manager Name of partners in the Action: P1 - Danube Biosphere Reserve of the Natural Academy of Sciences of Ukraine P2 - Lower Prut Natural Reserve P3 - Danube River Basin Management Department P4 - Ministry of Environment P5 - Cahul County Council P6 - “Moldsilva” Agency P7 - Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Odessa Regional State Administration P8 - Centre for Regional Studies.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” GA1: Activity Establishing a Project Steering Group (PSG) Meeting in Tulcea for 2 days on March 2014 GA1: Activity 1.2 Project coordination and evaluating meeting Launching meeting of the Lead Partner with the UA partners: Meeting in Odessa with representatives from DDBRA (Lead Partner), CRS (P8), DBR (P1) and SDEPOR (P7) for 1 day on 11 February Launching meeting of the Lead Partner with the MD partners: Meeting in Cahul with 5 representatives from the DDBRA (Lead Partner), the LPNR (P2) and the CCC (P5) for 1 day on 14 February st Ukrainian Expert Meeting including representatives of the Ukrainian partners and associates: Meeting in Vilkovo with 14 participants for 1 day on 20 February Project meeting for the good implementation of the project and to prevent the risk factors: the Lead partner, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, organized a Project Meeting in Tulcea with 17 with 9 representatives from the project partners for 2 days on 31 July -1 August GA1: Activity Promotion and visibility activities Visibility material models (invitation, agenda, list of participants, flyers, press release) for local launching meetings; Information on the project on the web-site of DDBRA and of CRS; Participants are aware of the fact that the project is funded by the European Commission through Ro-Ua-Md JOP.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” GA1: Activity Public awareness activity The local launching conferences in Romania and Ukraine familiarized the local authorities and communities with the project and its objectives. GA2: Activity 2.2 Establish 3 activity groups on specific fields within the JTC Discussion regarding the nomination of the 3 working groups on specific fields helping the JTC activity on ecological restoration, biodiversity preservation, sustainable use of resources. GA2: Activity 2.4 Equipment for DDBRA, RO Acquisition of IT systems components, furniture, all roads cars, boat for access into the Delta, a drone plane for observation, etc. haven’t yet started, but the terms of reference were prepared. The aquisition for IT systems components was finalised. GA2: Activity 2.5 Equipment for DBR, UA DBR (P1) with the support of CRS (P8) already started elaboration of the terms of reference for the procurement taking into consideration the Annex IV of the Grant Contract. GA2: Activity 2.7 Identified required capacities and skills to plan and manage protected natural areas Collecting information and analyzing appropriate best practices in Ukraine and abroad already started.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” GA2: Activity 2.8 Evaluate current management in the 3 natural reserves, to capitalize on the valuable elements within the management applied to the future trilateral reserve Collecting information and evaluating the current management in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve already started. GA2: Activity 2.9 Develop comparative analysis of environment legislation in the 3 countries to submit harmonization proposals, through the Joint Trilateral Commission, to allow for the establishment of a new trilateral entity Preliminary assessment of gaps in Ukrainian environmental legislation was made; Potential executer of comparative analysis of environment legislation in Ukraine and Republic of Moldova identified; Terms of reference for development comparative analysis of environment legislation in Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and in Romania under preparation. GA2: Activity 2.11 Creation of a joint harmonized database and GIS Romanian, Moldavian GIS/database experts as well as representative of UA Danube Biosphere Reserve were contacted in order to elaborate common approach for GIS/database activities in the project. Several options for data exchange/sharing (e.g. WFS, WMS) were determined. Experts exchanged information about data available and made an agreement about the meeting which necessary for further development of the activities.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” GA3: Activity 3.4 Restore, expand and provide the necessary equipment to set up the headquarter for the Biosphere Administration in the Lowe Prut area (MD) A rehabilited, modernised and extended building for MD biosphere reserve headquarter in Slobozia Mare, Cahul County, including a visiting center. GA4: Activity 4.1 Inventory of valuable natural areas of the UA of the DD Region Information already available in SDEPOR was assessed; Terms of Reference was prepared and agreed with partners; Necessary documents for Negotiated procedure were prepared. GA4: Activity 4.3 Rehabilitation of the RAMSAR site “Kartal Lake”. Elaboration of feasibility study and design (Preparatory phase) Negotiated procedure for preparation of the feasibility study for the Kartal lake rehabilitation and a design for construction works were made. Contract with executer was signed on 29 August GA4: Activity 4.6 Elaboration of a Management plan for the regional landscape park ”The Izmail Islands” Information already available in SDEPOR was assessed; Terms of Reference was prepared and agreed with partners; Necessary documents for Negotiated procedure were prepared.

“Common borders. Common solutions” Consolidation of the nature protected areas´ network for biodiversity protection and sustainable development in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut river region– PAN Nature- code MIS-ETC 1716 “The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova is financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and co-financed by the participating countries in the programme.” GA5: Activity Purchase and installation of equipment for a modern RO-UA fire monitoring and warning system Information about fire monitoring equipment available in Ukraine collected, translated into English and provided to LP; Elaboration of the terms of reference for the procurement taking into consideration the Annex IV of the Grant Contract DBR (P1) already started. GA5: Activity Creation of a pilot system for prevention of fire spreading DBR made necessary consultation Izmail Forestry, reed harvesters, emergency management authorities and local authorities for creation of the trench. The optimum shape and location of trench already identified.