EN  EN EN 
 
 EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 8.12.2010 
SEC(2010) 1489 final 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
  
ACTION PLAN  
 
 
Accompanying document to the  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMI TTEE OF THE REGIONS 
 
European Union Strategy for the Danube Region 
   
{COM(2010) 715 final} 
{SEC(2010) 1490 final} {SEC(2010) 1491 final} 
 
Table of Contents  
 
Introduction................................................................................................................... ................... 2  
A) Connecting the Danube Region .......................................................................................... 6  
1) To improve mobility and multimodality .......................................................................................... ....9 
2) To encourage more sustainable energy ........................................................................................... .18 
3) To promote culture and tourism, people to people contacts .............................................................26  
B) Protecting the Environment in the Danube Region........................................................ 31  
4) To restore and maintain the quality of waters .................................................................................. 34 
5) To manage environmental risks .................................................................................................. ......40  
6) To preserve biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils ..............................................47  
C) Building Prosperity in the Danube Region...................................................................... 54  
7) To develop the Knowledge Society through research , education and information technologies......58  
8) To support the competitiveness of enterprises, including cluster development ................................64  
9) To invest in people and skills ................................................................................................. ...........69  
D) Strengthening the Danube Region.................................................................................... 74  
10) To step up institutional capacity and cooperation ............................................................................77  
11) To work together to promote security and tackle organised and serious crime ...............................82  
 
Annex: 
Role of the European Investment Bank (EIB ) in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region 
 
  
 
3INTRODUCTION 
 
The ‘EU Strategy for the Danube Region’ is de scribed in two documents: (1) a Communication 
from the European Commission to the other EU Institutions, and (2) an accompanying Action Plan which complements the Communication. 
The Action Plan is one of the outputs of the Stra tegy approach. Its aim is to go from ‘words to 
actions’ by identifying the concrete priorities fo r the macro-region. Once an action or project is 
included in the Action Plan, it should be implemented by the countries and stakeholders 
concerned. The projects are considered to be  illustrative, providing examples of types of 
projects or approaches to be  more generally encouraged.  
 
Organisation of the Action Plan
 
The organisation of the Action Plan seeks to id entify priorities clearly, and make it explicit 
also who is responsible for th eir implementation and follow-up. It also aims to assign the 
responsibilities to different administrative le vels and actors within the Region, with support 
from the other partners, notably  the EU Institutions. The struct ure incorporates the following 
features:  
• Pillars : These address the headlin e issues e.g. “connecting the Danube Region”. They are 
at the core of the Strategy and are essentia l to the success of its work, and how it is 
communicated. 
 Priority Areas : These represent the main areas where the macro-regional strategy can 
contribute to improvements (either through tack ling the main challenges or through seizing 
the main opportunities). For each priority area the Action Plan will present the issue and indicate main problems. Examples: To support competiti veness of enterprises, etc.  
Coordination of each priority area will be allo cated to a Priority Area Coordinator. These 
are at the heart of making the Strategy operational, and bear a central responsibility for its 
success. They work on its implementation, in close contact with the Commission, with all 
stakeholders involved, especially other countri es, but also Regional and Local Authorities, 
Inter-Governmental and N on-Governmental Bodies.  
 Each priority area has to be considered with  other policy fields. Th e Strategy encourages 
an integrated approach (e.g. environment ' mobility ' economic development ' human 
resource development etc.). For example clim ate change mitigation and adaptation have an 
impact on transport, energy, tourism, research, etc. policies whilst the latter also have an 
impact on climate change. Therefore, for the implementation of each Priority Area, it is 
important that there is involvement of bodi es and institutions representing other policy 
fields.Actions
: An Action is an important issue requi ring intervention by the countries and 
stakeholders involved to meet th e objective of the Priority Area. It can be a new approach, 
an increased coordination in policy making, a support to a process already engaged, a 
networking initiative, etc. An action may not  necessarily require financing. All actions 
should be understood without prejudice to the existing EU competences and requirements 
of the EU acquis . Examples: New approach: “To legislat e at the appropriate level to limit 
 
  
 
4the presence of phosphates in detergents”; - Increased coor dination in policy making: “To 
develop a joint position of the region regardi ng the changes which could be introduced in 
the framework of the TEN-E Policy review”; - Objective that the countries can decide to 
achieve in their own way: “To support creativity and entrepreneurship”; - Support to a process already engaged: “To implement fully the Danube River Basin Management Plan”.  
 Projects
: A project is concrete, with a start and e nd date. In general it requires financing, a 
project leader and project part ners. The Action Plan presents projects by way of examples  
to stimulate further initiatives as the Stra tegy progresses, and as new ideas emerge. The 
aim is also to illustrate what is needed. Examples: “To remove the shipwrecks, bridges 
debris and unexploded lethal weapons from the riverbed of  the Danube”; “To implement 
the agreed infrastructure projects”; “To increa se the use of electronic signatures”; etc. 
These projects can be financed  by national/ regional funds, EU f unds such as the Structural 
Funds1, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and the European 
Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI), Internat ional Financial Institutions or private 
investors, in line with the appr opriate frameworks and practices.  
The timeframe of the actions and projects varies. Some can be implemented in a short time (1-2 
years) and some will need longer. As a gene ral rule, each project would have a lead 
organisation/ country and a dead line. When not defined by the time of adoption of the Strategy 
by the Commission, the Priority Area Coordinators would ensure that th is is decided by the 
countries. 
In identifying the actions and projects suggested  in the Action Plan, the following factors have 
been taken into account: 
• They should address identified priorities and be supported.  The need for the action or 
project should have been cl early expressed by countries, stakeholders or Commission’s 
services. In addition, the support of these partners is also cr ucial for the implementation and 
the proposals have been thoroughly discussed with  them. In general, they should reinforce 
existing EU policies such as Europe 2020, Terri torial Cohesion, Trans European Networks 
(transport and energy), the Energy and the future Transport Communities, or 
implementation of Directives. Finally they should also associate existing transnational 
bodies such as the International Conventio n for the Protection of the Danube River 
(ICPDR), the Danube Commission, the Regi onal Cooperation Council, the Danube 
Cooperation Process (DCP), the Council of  Danube Cities and Regions, the Danube 
Tourism Commission, and other such organisations as appropriate. 
• They should have an impact on the macro-region  (or a significant part of it).  Many 
projects should therefore be tr ansnational. However, if a nati onal project has a direct impact 
on the macro-region (e.g. the construction of a waste water treatment plant that improves 
the water quality of the rivers or the exte nsion of a port to enab le regional transport 
networks) or contributes to a policy objective of the strategy (e.g. the renovation of a town 
as part of a network to attract  tourists) they could be incl uded. However, most actions and 
projects having an impact on the macro-region will involve several countries who wish to cooperate. The impact should be ar ticulated in the form of an impact indicator which can be 
                                                
 
1  Structural Funds are available for Member States. They are managed through Operational Programmes agreed 
and managed by Member States, Regions and the Commission. 
 
  
 
5evaluated over time. Consideration should be given to the data which will need to be 
gathered in order to evaluate the impact (including the establishment of the baseline 
situation). 
• They should be realistic.  They should be feasible (techni cally and financially) and there 
should be overall agreement between countries , stakeholders and th e Commission of their 
worth. In particular, a realistic source of funding should be identified. Indeed proposing a 
project for the Action Plan is not a funding request, and inclusion in the Plan is no 
guarantee of funding, but the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a project should be 
established. 
• They should be coherent and mutually supportive.  Actions and projects must be 
compatible with each other and create win-win solutions. For example transport projects or 
energy efficiency initiatives cannot jeopa rdise achieving environmental targets. 
 The Action Plan should be stable  for a certain period of time . However, over the years, the 
priorities may evolve and hence, the actions  and projects may be updated, transformed or 
replaced. The Action Plan is therefore “r olling”, and will be regularly reviewed. 
 
 
A) CONNECTING THE DANUBE REGION  
 
  
 
7CONNECTING THE DANUBE REGION  
 
This pillar focuses on transport, energy and culture / tourism issues. The overall objective is to 
improve connectivity within th e Danube Region and with the re st of Europe, in terms of 
infrastructures, systems and people. This can be  done by improved coordination in infrastructure 
works, improved operation of transport and ener gy systems, exchanges of experience on clean 
energy, and promotion of Danube culture and tourism.  
It will focus on three Priority Areas: (1) To impr ove mobility and multimodality (covering road, rail 
and air links as well as inland waterways); (2) To encourage more sustainable energy (covering 
energy infrastructure, markets and clean energy) a nd (3) To promote culture and tourism, people to 
people contacts. 
This pillar strongly supports  the Europe 2020 Strategy:  
1. It aims to contribute to smart growth. Bette r transport and energy infrastructures are 
conditions for innovation (attracting skilled re searchers and workers). Innovative solutions 
can reduce costs, improve efficiency and encourage sustainabl e solutions. Modern, 
sustainable tourism also demonstrat es strong potentia l in the Region. 
2. It aims to contribute to sustainable growt h. It supports reduction of energy consumption, 
increase of renewable energy, modernisation of the transport sector to make it more 
environmentally friendly (e.g. by promoting multimodality) and more efficient, and promotion of ‘green’ tourism. This is also with the perspective to improve the business environment and hence the competitiveness of enterprises. 
3. It aims to contribute to incl usive growth. Energy can be made  more secure and affordable. 
New jobs can be created. Territorial cohe sion is supported e.g. through better connections, 
enabling people and enterprises to modernise even the more remote regions. Building on 
Danube culture harnesses the dive rsity of people in the Region. 
The priority areas have to be considered with other policy fields. The Strategy encourages an 
integrated approach. For example, whilst improving transport infrastructure has a positive impact on elements such as the business environment, the at tractiveness of cities a nd regions or the quality 
of life of citizens, it also has impacts on lands capes, on biodiversity or on air pollution. These 
cannot be taken in isolation, but have to be balanced against each other, to reach the most 
sustainable solution.  
      
 
  
 
8Examples of financing covering the Region  
Expenditures budgeted by the Structural Funds2 in 2007-20133 
Transport    EUR 24.8 b 
 
Roads and motorways  EUR 13.5 b 
Railways   EUR 8.5 b 
Ports and inland waterways  EUR 0.7 b Multimodal nodes  EUR 0.5 b 
Airports    EUR 0.2 b 
Other (urban, cycle, etc.)  EUR 1.4 b 
Energy    EUR 3.0 b 
Energy efficiency   EUR 1.5 b  
Renewable energy  EUR 1.2 b 
Other (electricity, gas, etc.) EUR 0.3 b 
Tourism    EUR 6.7 b 
Urban and rural regeneration EUR 3.0 b 
Natural & cultural heritage EUR 1.4 b  
Cultural & touristic services EUR 1.2 b Cultural infrastructure  EUR 0.6 b 
Other     EUR 0.5 b 
Other sources of financing  
Other EU programmes contribute to this pillar, in particular: th e Trans European Transport and 
Energy Networks (TEN-T and TEN-E), the 7 th Research Framework Programme, the Instrument 
for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) National, Cross-border Cooperation and Multi-beneficiary 
country programmes, several programmes of  the European Neighbourhood and Partnership 
Instrument (ENPI) (such as the Regional pr ogrammes or the Cro ss-border Cooperation 
Programmes), the European Agriculture Fund fo r Rural Development (EAFRD), the European 
Fisheries Fund (EFF) and the Competitiveness a nd Innovation Programme. National, regional and 
local policies are also financing important projects. In addition, significant financing is already 
provided to a large number of projec ts via lending and/ or co-finan cing from various International 
and Bilateral Finance Institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (E BRD), the World Bank, the Council of Europe 
Development Bank (CEB) or other lenders. More recently, for the countries of the Western Balkans, additional efforts have been made to better coordinate and blend instruments for grants and loans via the Western Balkans Investment Framework
4 (WBIF).  A similar instrument to the 
WBIF, the Neighbourhood Investment Facility opera tes for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. 
                                                 
2  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) including cross-border cooperation, Cohesion Fund and European 
Social Fund for the Member Stat es. The Instrument for Pre-Accessi on Assistance and the European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) are not included. 
3  However, the use of Structural Funds depends on the specific operational programmes, developed and agreed 
upon at the beginning of the 2007-2013 programming period in close collaboration between the European Commission and the respective Member States/ Regions. Thes e should offer opportunities for funding for specific 
actions/ projects, depending on the priorities and measur ements/ actions identified in the respective operational 
programmes. 
4    The Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) is a blending instrument for grants and loans for candidate 
countries and potential candidates. 
 
  
 
91) TO IMPROVE MOBILITY AND MULTIMODALITY  
 
Presentation of the issue  
Mobility goes beyond technical as pects and infrastructure. It includes organisational issues, 
meeting overall transport demand and seasonal/ daily  traffic peaks, spatial planning, life-styles, 
innovations, etc. Together with inland waterways, road and rail provide important international 
connections within the Region. Port s on the Black Sea and ports of th e northern Adriatic, as well 
as railway lines and airports, are immediate entry points to the basin from abroad. An appropriate 
transport policy has to take into account all th ese, promoting multimodality, while also considering 
environmental respect, economic gr owth and social development. 
Sustainable mobility overall is a clear objective of Europe 2020, as well as the common European 
transport policy. Given that inland navigation has a relatively low environmental impact (it emits 
3.5 times less CO 2 per ton-kilometre than trucks) it is an important mode of transport. Linked by 
the Main-Danube canal, the Rhine and the Danube are directly connecting eleven countries from 
the North Sea to the Black Sea over a length of 3,500 km. Hence, the Danube river represents the 
backbone of the Region5. However, the development of waterw ays as navigation corridors must go 
hand in hand with the creation of modern and e fficient intermodal ports to integrate navigation 
with rail and road. 
Danube Region specifics  
There is general agreement that good, inter-linked and sustainable transport systems are important 
for the region. The coordinated improvement of tr ansport on the basis of holistic and integrated 
development concepts accompanied by the devel opment and use of appropriate technical, eco-
sustainable solutions can increase the attractiveness of the Danube ri ver as a cost-effective corridor 
for effectively delivering regional sustainable de velopment and mobility. More specifically, a 
multidisciplinary approach for waterway infrastructure projects can ensure preservation and 
restoration of the valuable ecosystem of the Da nube. This needs to be complemented by upgrading 
of the railways. Here especially the implementation of rail freight corridors as part of the European rail network for competitive freight
6 play a crucial role. The Danube region is served by several of 
the Rail Freight Corridors to be implemen ted within the next 3 to 5 years.  
In this context, ensuring the inte roperability of the ra ilway lines in the area,  e.g. the capacity of 
locomotives to cross borders is essential to improve  the competitiveness of rail. In particular, lines 
upgraded with the support of EU fund s shall be equipped with the ERTMS7.  
                                                 
5  From Kelheim in Germany to Sulina in the river’s Romanian delta, the navigable length of the Danube totals 
2,414 km serving more than 40 ports of international importance. The annual transport volume on the entire 
Danube amounts to about 50 millions tonnes, which is equivalent to 2.5 million trucks or 62,500 block trains. 
With 10 riparian countries and 1,025 km of shared border s the Danube is also the most international river in the 
world. Together with the overland routes running thr ough the Region, it constitutes a vital link east-west, as well 
as being a crossroads for many North-South routes. 
6  Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 concerning a 
European rail network for competitive freight 
7  European Rail Traffic Management System 
 
  
 
10Interlinked with help of efficient intermodal te rminals the Danube river, the Rail Freight Corridors 
and connecting railway lines can m itigate road congestion and contri bute to an efficient transport 
system and a  more environmen tally sustainable modal-split. 
For inland navigation, the Danube River is clearly not used to its full potential. Cargo volumes 
transported on the Danube are only between 10% a nd 20% (depending on the parameters used) of 
those carried on the Rhine. This potential could be better exploited by, e.g., enhanced 
multimodality, improved infrastructure, improved logi stics management or better equipment (e.g. 
innovatively designed vessels, modern computer-b ased navigation aids). Throughout the year, the 
waterway infrastructure, on some sections of the network, partly limits the competitiveness of 
navigation on the Danube River (prima rily in case of extended low wa ter periods). Ports need to be 
modernised and adjusted to multimodal requirements . Over the last decades there has been a lack 
of investments and little innovation in the river fleet. A shortage of personnel (especially captains 
and pilots) is the result of insufficient traini ng facilities, migration tendencies and the high 
proportion aged 50+. 
For roads and railways, infrastructu re is often not efficient or si mply missing, especially regarding 
cross-border connections (to whic h national authorities do not give priority). There is a lack of 
investment on cross-border links, partly because state borders in the Danube basin have changed 
considerably in the recent past, disrupting connections (elimination of roadways, demolition of bridges and dismantling of railway lines). As a c onsequence, settlements w ith great potential for 
mutual cooperation in the enlarged  EU still lack the necessary links , and speed restrictions due to 
outmoded infrastructure is widespread. 
Airports need to be easily accessible, safe an d secure. In certain parts of the Danube Region 
airports are undergoing privatisa tion and/or management decentralisation processes and need to 
have a strong and efficient management system. The potential for regional airports is being put 
into light by point-to-point flights and the growth of air cargo. Such growth  must take place in a 
harmonious and unconstrained way. 
Problems are largely linked to a lack of coor dinated planning, funding and implementation. The 
existing inter-governmental bodies need support to  deliver sufficient concrete results. Since 
mobility and accessibility require costly investments, it is important to plan so that these 
investments are used to their full  potential (e.g. joint investment s, planned transnationally with 
shared costs and benefits).  
Multimodal nodes need to play a more significant ro le not only in terms of  accessibility but as 
optimal places for concentrating business an d industry. The Rail Freight Corridors already 
mentioned above comprise also intermodal term inals, ensuring efficient trimodal interfaces 
between inland waterways, railways and roads as logistical hubs in the Danube Region.  
Mobility and accessibility are also linked to other policy fields such as environment, and socio-
economic development. An integrated approach means overall benefits are more realistically 
assessed, to include the benefits  for all the countries and sector s concerned. Modern technological 
advances (e.g.: ICT) also allow mob ility needs overall to be re-examined. 
Actions
 
Inland waterway transport 
The EU has committed itself to pursue the goal of shifting transport to less energy-intensive, 
cleaner and safer transport modes.  Inland waterway transport can play a prominent role in reaching 
 
  
 
11these targets. 
Concrete actions are needed to exploit fully the market potential of inland navigation and to make 
its use more attractive. Given that inland navigation is mostly an international transport mode, actions at both national a nd EU level are required. 
The actions and projects of this chapter comple ment and build on already on-going activities in the 
Danube Region. They are in line with the goals set forth by the European  Action Programme for 
Inland Waterway Transport (NAIADES). The time perspective of the current NAIADES 
programme will finish in 2013. There is thus a need  to set up a follow-up programme to ensure that 
the respective long-term tr ansport goals for the Danube basin can be met. 
Improvement of infrastructure and econo mic performance of waterway navigation  
¾ Action - “To complete the implementation of TEN-T Priority Project 18 on time and in an 
environmentally sustainable way” . Work is ongoing to identify environmentally sustainable 
solutions for improved navigability in order to  eliminate existing navigation bottlenecks. This 
should also take into account likely impacts of climate change, the preservation of functioning 
ecosystems and planning guidelines contained in  the “Joint Statement on the Development of 
Inland Navigation and Environmental Pr otection in the Danube River Basin”
8 and in the 
"Manual on Good Practices in Sustainable waterway Planning"9. TEN-T projects have been 
identified in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hunga ry, Bulgaria and Romania. The objective is to 
remove existing navigability bottlenecks on th e river which shall accommodate type VI b 
vessels all year round by 201510. 
¾ Action - “To invest in waterway infrastructure  of Danube and its tributaries and develop the 
interconnections”. In order to enable economic hinterland connections, there is a need to 
improve the existing waterway network in the Danube River Basin. This should include 
consideration of infrastructure  for missing links, as well as how best to develop the onward 
links to the Black Sea and beyond.  
Ö Example of project - “To remove shipwrecks, bridges debris and unexploded weapons 
from the riverbed of the Danube”.  On some stretches of the lower Danube these create 
disruptions and have had long term reperc ussions on Danube nav igation. Although good 
progress has been made, they  are still hinder ing traffic and enda ngering safety of 
navigation on certain stretches es pecially in low water periods.  
                                                 
8  The “Joint Statement on the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube 
River Basin” was developed by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, the Danube 
Commission and the International Sava River Basin Commission. These guidelines call for an integrated planning 
team including the main stakeholders, to assess the needs for navigation and the aquatic environment on a case-by-case basis, and to include as much as possible win-win measures for both improving navigation and the 
ecological status. 
9  The manual was developed in the framework of the PLATINA initiative and aims at presenting good practises in 
sustainable waterway planning. The document provides guidelines for planning waterway development projects 
that are compatible with environmental protection requirements, creating a win-win harmony. It offers general 
advice for waterway infrastructure projects and addresses both technical planners and other interested stakeholders who want to be involved in a waterway development planning process. 
10  The international classification of European Inland  Waterways (UNECE/TRANS/120/Rev.4, p. 28/29) in the 
European Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of Intern ational Importance (AGN) classifies the parameters for 
motor vessels and pushed convoys. In the present text, category VIb uniquely refers to pushed convoys and inland 
waterways vessels with a draught of up to 2.5m. 
 
  
 
12Ö Example of project - “To build the Danube – Bucharest Canal” . The main goals pursued 
by the complex development of the Danube - Bu charest Canal system are: connecting the 
capital city of Romania with  the Danube river through a waterway, defending 11 localities 
and 30,000 hectares of farming land against floods; producing power, establishing the 
necessary conditions for leisur e and tourism, providing fa vourable ecologi cal influences 
and other similar elements; supplying the necessary water for irrigation, providing 
drinking water for the neighbouring lo calities and for aqua-farming. (Lead : Romania).  
¾ Action - “To modernise the Danube fleet in order to improve environmental and economic 
performance” . Environmental and economic performance of Danube navigation can be 
improved by means of innovation, dedicated fleet modernisation and optimised waste 
management measures. For this purpose, a comm on approach for the mode rnisation of inland 
vessels should be established. Technological developments in terms of innovative vessels, 
engines and optimised fuel consumption (e.g.: retrofitting with particle filter, using low 
emission fuel, using onshore power while docking)  and logistics operations can make inland 
navigation more attractive giving it extra advantages. 
Ö Example of project - “To build on the WAste management  for inland Navigation on the 
DAnube (WANDA) project”.  WANDA aims at establishing a sustainable, environmentally 
sound and transnationally coordinated approach in ship waste management along the 
Danube by (1) elaborating national ship wa ste management concepts, (2) implementing 
pilot actions and (3) developing a financing m odel for the operating system based on the 
polluter-pays principle (Lead : Via Donau; Deadline : March 2012).  
Improvement of the organisational framework and human resources for inland waterway 
navigation  
¾ Action - “To coordinate national transport policie s in the field of navigation in the Danube 
basin”. The European action programme NAIADES (Navigation and Inland Waterway Action 
and Development in Europe) defines a comprehens ive set of measures in order to exploit the 
full potential of inland navigation. In order to create coherent links in  the Danube region, the 
national administrations are called upon to pursue an active integration of inland waterway 
transport into their national transport stra tegies and policies, in a coordinated way. 
Ö Example of project - “To build on the Platform for the implementation of NAIADES 
(PLATINA)”. identifies the necessary policy acti ons, brings together the required 
stakeholders (working groups, expert meetings ) and develops the nece ssary knowledge and 
tools. Key experts and stakeholders elaborate te chnical proposals for policy actions in the 
five NAIADES action areas. (Lead : Via Donau; Deadline : May 2012)  
¾ Action - “To support Danube Commission in fi nalising the process of reviewing the 
Belgrade Convention”. The revision of the Convention has been almost completed, however 
has not yet been signed and ratified. The comple tion of the process woul d strengthen the role 
of the Danube Commission and will also allo w the accession of the European Commission as 
Member. 
¾ Action - “To develop ports in the Danube rive r basin into multimoda l logistics centres”.  In 
order to increase the opportunities to bundle car go flows for inland waterway transport and 
reduce negative transport externalities elsewher e. A coordinated and harmonised development 
concept for multimodal ports should be elaborated by Danube river basin countries and relevant stakeholders. As a basis for this act ivity, national port development plans shall be 
elaborated or reviewed with a view to their integration into local and regional development 
 
  
 
13strategies. 
¾ Action - “To improve comprehensive waterway management  of the Danube and its 
tributaries”. National waterway management bodies are responsible for the continuous 
maintenance of the waterway infrastructure (e .g. surveying and dredging activities), as well 
often for implementation of fl ood protection and ecological meas ures (e.g. required by the EU 
Water Framework Directive). Thes e bodies shall continue further to intensify their cooperation, 
in particular by creating common st andards for waterway management11in the Danube basin. 
Ö Example of project - “To build on the network of Danube Waterway Administrations 
(NEWADA) project” . The aim of this project is to facilitate the coordination of activities 
and future plans and the exchange of ex periences among organisations which are 
responsible for waterway admin istration along the Danube. Building on this, a second step 
will consist in the identificati on of model activities and implemen tation of pilot projects to 
increase the effectiveness of  waterway management (Lead : Via Donau; Deadline : March 
2012).  
¾ Action - “To promote sustainable frei ght transport in the Danube Region”. An intermodal 
interface should be established between Danube inland waterways freight transport and railway 
freight transport to strengthen existing econom ic ties and foster cohesion in the region. The 
project would help increase the multimodal freight transport and lead to more evenly and efficiently spread traffic acro ss the existing infrastructure.  
Ö Example of project - “To develop container transport on the Danube”.
 The goal of this 
transnational project is a strong cooperation between ports and partners of the private 
sector (e.g. logistics) in order to exploit th e potential of container navigation. Upgrade of 
the required infrastructure in order to develop the most important partner ports as well as the establishment of a network within those ports  is needed. Main activities within this field 
could comprise the preparation of feasib ility studies, the conne ction of ports, the 
development and implementation of projects. The project should also help to increase the 
use of multimodal transport (Lead
: City of Vienna/Vienna Port; Deadline : to be defined by 
the PA Coordinator).  
Ö Example of project - “To create an approach and a web platform to provide complete 
real-time information concerning Danube navi gation and connections with all modes of 
transport”.   
¾ Action - “To implement harmonised River Information Services (RIS)”. RIS contribute 
substantially to increasing the safety, efficiency and environmental-friendliness of inland navigation. Shipping operators, por ts and logistics service providers can optimise their logistics 
operations, thus reducing overall transport costs.  The full potential of RIS can however only be 
realised if they are implemente d along the entire Danube and its main navigable tributaries and 
canals. 
Ö Example of project - “To build on the IRIS Europe pr ojects - support th e co-ordinated 
implementation of River Information Services (RIS) in Europe” . The project IRIS Europe 
II aims at the further enhancement and fine-tu ning of RIS key technologies, services and 
applications such as international data exc hange. Emerging topics are the implementation 
of agreed European service levels.  
                                                
 
11  This is also in line with the “Danube River Basin Management Plan 2009” which has defined a “Joint Programme 
of Measures” to be implemented by the Danube region countries. 
 
  
 
14¾ Action - “To invest in education and jobs in the Danube navigation sector”.  Danube 
navigation is currently experienci ng a shortage of nautical personnel, which is also caused by 
limited training and education opportunities in  the Danube countries. Existing education 
institutions use different curricula . In order to facilitate labour availability and mobility at the 
European level, common education and trai ning profiles should be pursued. Within this 
framework, the Danube countries should attract and educate young people for the profession of 
Danube crewman. Companies involved in inla nd waterways transport (ports, shipping 
companies, customers, etc.) and educational an d research bodies should establish educational 
platforms and networks to increase competitiveness and competence of all actors. 
Ö Example of project - “To establish cooperation networ ks for logistics and nautical 
education focusing on Inland Waterway Tr ansport in the Danube corridor supported by 
innovative solutions (NELI)” . The main aim of the project is  the improvement of education 
and training in the field of inland waterway trans port in the Danube region. In cooperation 
with existing networks like EDINNA (nautical education in Europe) the NELI partners aim 
to facilitating the exchange and future cooperation regarding educational and training matters. Concrete results are eLearning servic es for inland navigation, the conception and 
implementation of Informati on and Training Centres and the promotion of specific 
activities among youngsters. (Lead
: Romanian Maritime Training Center; Deadline : 
March 2012).  
Rail, road and air transport 
While inland waterway transport has considerab le unused potential in the Danube Region, other 
modes of transport also need attention. Modern, we ll connected road infrastructure is essential, but 
this needs to be complemented by rail transport to avoid congestion and ensure an efficient and 
environmentally sustainable transport system, while  air transport is also crucial to ensuring the 
Region can fully play its part in a globalised wo rld. The actions and projects proposed also take 
into account mob ility needs overall. 
Improvement of access to and connectivity  
¾ Action - “To bring to completion the TEN-T (ra il and road) Priority Projects crossing the 
Danube Region, overcoming the difficulties an d the bottlenecks including environmental, 
economic and political, particularly in the cross-border sections12”. Project implementation 
should focus on completing existing projects, e liminating bottlenecks. It should identify the 
sustainable financing means, an d improve the coordination, espe cially between the different 
rail companies in order to develop and modernise the rail systems. Most of the priority projects 
                                                 
12  By way of examples: 
 -  Priority Project 22 (rail): from Nurnberg / Dresden to Constanta and Athens via Prague, Vienna, Budapest 
and Arad through the whole region. The Western part, from the Alps to the Danube valley, including the 
Vienna – Bratislava area, through rail Priority Pr oject 17, connects Paris to Vienna and Bratislava; 
 -  Priority Project 7 (road): This project runs partly in parallel to the Danube in the Eastern part through the 
motorway PP-7 which connects Budapest to Constanta on the Black Sea and the Greek cities of Thessaloniki, 
Athens and Igoumenitsa; 
 -  Priority Project 23 (rail): This project goes from  Gdansk to Vienna via Warsaw, Brno and Bratislava; 
-  Priority Project 25 (road):  This project connects the Baltic Sea to the Danube via Gda ńsk–Brno/Bratislava-
Vienna; 
-  Priority Project 6 (rail): This projects goes from  Lyon to the Ukrainian border connecting the Iberian 
peninsula with the eastern part of Europe and beyond via Trieste-Diva ča/Koper-Diva ča-Ljubljana-Budapest. 
The above mentioned Priority projects should be compleme nted by the connections to the non-EU Member States 
in order to complete the transport network in the Danube river Basin. In so doing, parts of the Corridors will be 
incorporated into the TEN-T Priority Projects Network for a homogenous development of the transport system 
 
  
 
15are already under implementation and the main  focus must now be timely completion. To 
achieve this, it could include  “To set-up a Joint Platform to coordinate the work on transport 
issues in the Danube Region with a view to accelerate th e implementation of projects”. That 
would be done in close cooperation with  the European TEN-T coordinators. 
Ö Example of project - “To construct two new bridges over the Danube” . The two bridges 
would be built on the stretch of the Danube between Romania and Bulgaria. One of the bridges would link Bechet (RO) with Oriahov o (BG) while the other one would connect 
Calarasi (RO) with Silistra (BG).  
¾ Action - “To implement the Rail Freight Corri dors forming part of the European rail 
network for competitive freight
13”. Of the nine initi al corridors four14 have direct connection 
with the Danube Region. The implementation should focus on ensuring sufficient capacity for rail freight services of high quality and reliability and to improve and harmonise rail infrastructure standards relevant for freight traffic, especially axle-loads, train-lengths and loading gauges, along the entire corridors. Speci al attention should also be given to the 
development of modern intermodal terminals connecting the Danube Ri ver with the rail 
network, laying the ground for e fficient cooperation of two transport modes with low 
environmental impact. 
¾ Action - “To enhance cooperation between air traf fic stakeholders in order to prepare a plan 
to implement shorter plane routes”. Better coordination between the ‘Functional Airspace 
Blocks’ (mainly FAB CE and FAB Danube) in the Danube Region can ensure a needed 
transition from domestic air traffic management  arrangements to a more integrated European 
dimension, with 2012 as a deadline for implementation. 
Ö Example of project - “To implement SESAR, the techno logical part of the Single 
European Sky, in the Danube Region”. Intelligent traffic systems in the air transport 
sector contribute to reduce airports' envir onmental footprint and to minimise nuisances 
like noise and air pollution. Te chnological tools can contri bute to a more efficient 
management of flights both on the ground (a irport management systems) and in the air 
(Functional Airspace Blocks)  
¾ Action - “To ensure sustainable metropo litan transport systems and mobility”. This 
contributes to the competitiveness and attrac tiveness of metropolitan regions in the Danube 
area while at the same time will make a str ong contribution to climate protection and to 
improve health in urban/ city-region areas. ICT will help to reduce information costs and make 
sustainable modes of transport easily accessible fo r all. It includes the further development of 
е-mobility by developing markets and infrastruc ture in densely populated areas in cooperation 
with enterprises. Public and private transport companies of metropolitan areas will be able to 
cooperate in public procurement for environmentally friendly ve hicles and the development of 
standardised high-quality transport and mobility internet information platforms for citizens. 
                                                
 
13  Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 concerning a 
European rail network for competitive freight. 
14  The four Rail Freight Corridors with di rect connection to the Danube region are: 
 -  The Orient Corridor connecting Pr ague via Vienna and Bratislava with Bucharest and Constanta on the Black 
Sea and with Sofia, Thessaloniki and Athens; 
 -  The Balt-Med Corridor connecting Gdynia at the Baltic Sea coast via Southern Poland, Slovakia and Czech 
Republic with Vienna and Bratislava and continuing to Slovenia, Northern Italy and the Adriatic coast; 
 -  The Central North-South Corridor connecting Sweden via Hamburg, Southern Germany and Innsbruck with 
Italy and ending in Palermo; 
 -  The Mediterranean Corridor connects Spain and So uthern France along the Mediterranean coast with 
Northern Italy, Slovenia, Buda pest in Hungary and reaches th e border to Ukraine at Zahony. 
 
  
 
16The action should enable the capitalization of a wide range EU-projects already dealing with 
urban mobility and help to implement the EU Action Plan for Urban Mobility (2009). 
Ö Example of project - “To create river-bus and other connections between urban centres 
along the Danube (Danube Express Project)”. The project aims to create river-bus 
connections between the big metropolis along the Danube and their satellites. The river-
bus should be a solution especially for the longitudinal travel needs and for the areas 
where there are no bridges across the Danube. That would improve th e mobility of people 
and could also be used for tourism purposes. The project should help increase the intermodal passengers transport leading to an optimal and sustainable utilization of 
resources  
¾ Action - “To improve the regional/ local cross-bor der infrastructure and the access to rural 
areas”.  The regional and local cross border transpor t links should be reinforced by cross border 
transport infrastructure (small bridges, crossi ng points, public transpor t connection). Another 
relevant reality is that, in th e Danube Region, the perc entage of the populati on living in rural 
areas is much higher then in the rest of Europe which makes the need for access to these areas of primary importance.  
Ö Example of project - “To extend public transport lines”. This is a programme to 
encourage the public transport companies of th e Danube valley countries (bus and rail) to 
extend their existing lines, char ging a local fare, to connect se ttlements on both sides of the 
border.  
Multimodal links  
¾ Action - “To develop further nodal planning for multimodality” . The overlap of different 
freight and person transport leads in many nodes to congestion and loss of productivity. 
Terminal infrastructure is also  missing or little developed to combine the different modes. In 
this context air transport can play a key role  in allowing access to remote regions. Beginning 
with corridor VII, the Danube axis, unbundling of types of transport by elimination of 
bottlenecks on feeder routes can lead to capacity increases in several cases. This would at the 
same time improve the conditions for locatio n development on the spot and for shifting 
transport volumes to more energy efficient and environmentally friendly transport modes like rail and water. Networks between relevant stak eholders should be set up in order to improve 
the quality of the transport system and logistic  chains between the node s and within the nodes 
– with a focus on sustainable transport modes such as railways and waterways. 
Ö Example of project - “To implement the South North Axis (SoNorA) project” : The aim of 
this project is to develop accessibility betw een the Adriatic and Baltic seas by making the 
network real through support for the completion of transport infrastructure, by activating 
and improving multimodal freight logistics services, by developing transnational action 
plans for future realisations and by suppor ting new regional deve lopment opportunities 
arising from transport network improvements.  
¾ Action - “To develop further Intelligent Traffi c Systems by using environmental-friendly 
technologies, especially in urban regions” . The quality of transport nodes highly depends on 
the capability of its transport system. Existing problems such as congesti on or bottlenecks also 
can be solved by introducing an efficient transp ort management system to optimize the existing 
capacity. For example the implementation of inte rmodal route planner in real time could be 
spread to larger parts of the Danube Region in particular its important nodes like capital 
 
  
 
17regions and major port regions. 
Ö Example of project - “To implement the European Digita l Traffic Infrastructure Network 
for Intelligent Transport Systems (EDITS)” . Better informati on about the transport 
system allows a more effici ent management of the existi ng transport infrastructure, 
reducing congestion and environm ental damage. This is the over all objective of the project 
EDITS (e.g.: traffic management, traffic pl anning and modelling, tr affic info rmation), 
using transnationally harmonised traffic ge odata. Vienna Region" can serve as a good 
practice example. Also supporting transpor t planners to manage the existing transport 
infrastructure in a more efficient way. Lo cal/ regional/ national administrations will be 
provided with technical guidance. (Lead : Public Transport Association of the Vienna 
Region) 
 
  
 
182) TO ENCOURAGE MORE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY   
 
Presentation of the issue  
The energy systems are made up of energy networks  and energy markets. The two are interrelated 
as networks are essential for the effective ope ration of the markets. The opening of the EU 
electricity markets, pursued by the third internal  market package, contributes to both competition 
and security of supply and will be facilitate d by the creation of the ‘European Network of 
Transmission System Operators15’ and the ‘Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators16’. In 
particular in the gas sector, the interconnections  between national markets have to be improved and 
countries in the region need to gain access to new external sources. Reinforcing gas transmission infrastructure will be key for preventing potential  supply disruption in the future. Well functioning 
networks, interconnections and interoperability are needed for energy security, diversification and 
effective energy operation. 
In addition, all the count ries of the Danube Region have polici es to support the use of renewable 
energies. Many have large natural potential to develop renewables  (especially solar and wind). 
They also have potential for improvement regarding energy efficiency in re sidential buildings, and 
district heating.  
The Directive on renewable energy (2009/28/EC) sets ambitious targets for all Member States in 
order to ensure that the EU w ill reach a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020 and 
a 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector. Th e Directive should be 
implemented by Member States by December 2010. The EU supports these policy goals through a 
significant contribution towards i nvestment in renewable energy
17. 
Danube Region specifics  
                                                 
15  Two ‘European Network of Transmission System Operators’ (ENTSO) have been foreseen by the third internal 
market package and subsequently cr eated: (1) ENTSO-e for electricity tr ansmission grid and ENTSO-g for gas 
transmission network. 
16 The European Union has recently set up the ‘Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators’ (based in 
Ljubljana, Slovenia) which will be operational in March 2011. The agency will coordinate the work of national 
regulatory authorities, take - under certain conditions - bi nding individual decisions on cross-border infrastructure, 
and monitor and report developments  at the European energy markets 
17 Structural and Cohesion Funds and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) are the 
European Commission's most relevant support budget (an amount of 9 billion EUR is allocated to energy 
efficiency and renewable energy projects under the Struct ural and Cohesion Funds during 2007-2013). Additional 
funding possibilities for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in existing building stock have been 
opened by the amendment of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) regulation in May 2009. This 
could make additional EUR 5 to 8 billion available for sustainable energy investments in buildings. Based on the 
amendment of the ERDF regulation, expenditure on energy efficiency improvements and on the use of renewable energy sources in existing housing sector for all Member States shall be eligible up to 4% of the total ERDF 
allocation. As all Member States are ob liged to comply with EU directives applicable to the housing sector, in 
particular the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and related requirements on the use of renewable energy in buildings included in the Renewabl e energy directive, such a reallocation would serve a 
double purpose by also creating low carbon economy related jobs in the Region. 
 
  
 
19Energy prices are high in the Region18. Much energy is imported, its  transport is costly, the 
markets are fragmented. Energy infrastructures are not well interconn ected. In addition, the 
Danube Region is specifically vuln erable regarding secur ity of supply, as demonstrated in January 
2009 when gas supplies were cut. Energy producti on and use is also a si gnificant source of 
pollution. 
Investment in infrastructure is a key priorit y. Cooperation is necessary in relation to planning, 
funding and implementation19. There are several EU policies s upporting energy, in particular the 
Trans European Energy Networks programme (TEN-E), the European Energy Programme for 
Recovery20, the third energy package, Renewable energy directive, the ‘Green  for Growth Fund 
Southeast Europe21’ and the Europe 2020 Strategy. In addi tion, the Structural and European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development pr ovide good funding opportunities for projects, in 
particular for decentralised production of energy from local renewable sources, and for research 
networks. Energy efficiency improvements and incr eased use of renewable energy are important 
for the whole area. The Danube Region has a high potential for improvement in energy efficiency, 
e.g. in residential buildings and di strict heating, as well as in co mbined heat and power facilities. 
There is also scope for a wider exploitation of  geothermal resources for heating and cooling 
purposes as well as for energy production. Some countries have built up distinctive know-how 
regarding efficiency and renewables, which could now be usefully promoted and spread in the 
Region, as there is often a lack of expertise. 
Regarding market organisation, cooperation helps to ensure security of supply, to balance supply 
and demand more effectively, and to realise econ omies of scale on investments. Regarding energy 
efficiency and renewable energy, there is potential to increase security of supply by reducing 
energy needs and increasing the share of energy produced (including small scale energy production 
at local level). Regarding nuclear  energy, there must be respect for the high levels of safety 
established, especially where the river is  an important source of cooling water. 
Actions  
Energy systems Energy infrastructure 
Regarding energy infrastructure, th e aim is to coordinate the long- term energy policies as well as 
the national investment strategies (p ower plants, grids, pipelines, in terconnectors, etc.), taking into 
account where appropriate the Strategic Environmen tal Impact Assessments”. The Strategy should 
contribute to the 10-year network development plan as proposed in the internal energy package. 
                                                
 
18  There is high diversity of the level of prices among separate markets in the Region. Moreover, especially in the 
eastern part of the Region, energy prices corr ected with the Purchasing power index are high. 
19  Reinforcement of the TEN-E network (especially in the context of the upcoming revision) and implementation of 
the Energy Recovery Plan using the Structural Funds in a coordinated manner is essential. 
20  The European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) adopted in 2009 provides EUR 1.440 m for gas projects 
of which EUR 510 m is for projects within the Danube Region. The largest single project - the Nabucco gas-pipeline which is supported with EUR 200 m, contributes to the construction of the southern gas corridor. The 
Nabucco project has a potential to bring new gas which originates from the Caspian region and the Middle-East to 
the Danube Region countries and other European gas markets. Several further gas interconnectors are supported in central and south east Europe w ith an amount of EUR 310 m. 
21  The ‘Green for Growth Fund Southeast Europe’, created in  2009 at the initiative of the European Investment Bank 
(EIB), focuses on measures for energy savings and energy efficiency in the Balkans a nd offers financing through 
the banking sector as well as direct lending accompanied by technical assistance. Until 2014, the Fund intends to 
invest around EUR 400 m. 
 
  
 
20¾ Action - “To develop a joint position of the re gion regarding the changes which could be 
introduced in the framework of  the TEN-E Policy review and the modalities of the new 
Energy Security and Infrastructure Inst rument, especially regarding the energy 
infrastructure gaps”.  It will be in the interest of the region to ensure that the instrument 
supports projects and concepts of key importa nce to the region such as a north-south gas 
interconnection, investments in gas networks, investments in supply routes benefiting the 
region, etc..  
¾ Action - “To ensure that actions are cohere nt with the general approach of the Energy 
Community22 and explore synergies between the Energy Community and the Danube 
Strategy processes”.  The Energy Community aims at extending the EU internal energy market 
to South East Europe (Parties: Albania, Bosnia  and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo23; Participants: Austria, 
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Ge rmany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherland, 
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and United- Kingdom as well as the European Union).  
¾ Action - “To enforce regional cooperation with a view to develop and implement the North-
South gas interconnection projects”.  The strategic concept of the North-South natural gas 
interconnection is to link the Ba ltic Sea area (Poland) to Adriat ic and Aegean Seas and further 
to the Black Sea, covering the following EU Member States (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, 
Romania, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic ). This would provide the overall flexibility 
for the entire Central East Eur opean (CEE) region to create a robust, well-functioning internal 
market and promote competition. The concept w ould make the best use of existing and new 
import infrastructures, such as new LNG regasi fication plants and projects of the Southern 
Corridor.  
¾ Action - “To  develop gas storage capacities”. A secure energy supply for Europe cannot rely 
on the construction of pipelines only. Additiona l flexibility through storage capacity is 
therefore necessary as well. S upport should be give n to the realisation of storage projects24 to 
ensure that all countries of Central and Eastern Europe have adequate access to such facilities. 
The regional approach to planning the storage facili ties should in particular  apply to ensure that 
the new infrastructure is develope d in the most efficient manner.  
                                                 
22  The aim of the Energy Community is to (a) create a stable regulatory and ma rket framework capable of  attracting 
investment in power generation and networks in order to ensure stable and continuous energy supply that is essential for economic development and social stability; (b) create an integrated energy market allowing for cross-
border energy trade and integration with the EU marke t; (c) enhance the security of supply; (d) improving the 
environmental situation in relation with energy supply in the region; and (e) enhance competition at regional level and exploit economies of scale. 
23  Under UNSCR 1244 
24  The new storage projects should not be limited to those included in the Euro pean Energy Programme for 
Recovery. For example, in 2010, the EU via the Neigh bourhood Investment Facility has granted €2.5 million to 
finance one project in this field in Ukraine. The project “Preparatory studies for the modernisation of Ukraine's 
gas transit corridors and underground gas storage facilities”  comprises two preparatory studies for investments in 
the gas sector in Ukraine including an environmental and social impact assessment. It will improve energy 
security for European countries while contributing to in creased regional integrati on in the field of energy, 
including cross-border linkage with the EU. After the result of the studies, the project will be lead by the European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and co-financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) with 
an estimated total cost of EUR 2 billion. 
 
  
 
21Ö Example of project -  “To implement the already agreed in frastructure projects on time, in 
particular the TEN-E and the European Energy  Programme for Recovery projects in the 
Region, especially the important  interconnectors and pipelines25”. 
Energy markets 
Regarding energy markets, the aim is to establis h an integrated and well functioning market for 
energy”. This should include bett er coordination of national ener gy strategies, measures to 
promote diversity of supplies and measures to improve the functioning of the energy market, a 
adequate legal framework, financial schemes based on public-private partnerships etc.. 
¾ Action - “To tap possible cooperation opportunities with the Energy Community” , which 
aims in particular at creating an integrated energy market allowing for cross-border energy 
trade and integration with the EU market.  
¾ Action - “To cooperate to implement the Region al network integration and the New Europe 
Transmission System (NETS) in li ne with the feasibility study”.  The harmonised operation of 
national transmission grids could alter the dynamics  of south-eastern and central European gas 
markets by the time new gas sources (e.g. through the Southern Corridor) become available. 
The initiative to create a single network involves Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, 
Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovin a. The feasibility of the concept, including 
the commercial, regulatory and management issues  possibly associated w ith NETS, is currently 
being studied.  
¾ Action - “To build a working relationship with the Central Eastern European Forum for 
Electricity Market Integration; this could be enlarged to neighbouring countries”. The 
integration of electricity markets and market platforms, as well as handling the generation 
capacity in the region, require specific harmonisation of legislation and market rules, which 
can be best coordinated at re gional level. The following ‘Centr al Eastern European Forum for 
Electricity Market Integrati on’ (Austria, Czech Republic, Ge rmany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia 
and Slovenia) – “Heptalateral Forum” should be further developed.  
Ö Example of project - “To work together towards the implementation of the Coordinated 
Auction Office”.  The Coordinated Auction Office (CAO) project implements the principles 
of Regulation n°1228/2003 on the harmonisa tion of congestion management and 
optimisation of cross-border capacity alloca tion. The Coordinated Auction Office in South 
East Europe is estimated to be operational in 2011.  This office will ma nage auctions and 
load flows for the entire region of South East of Europe. In terms of operations, the principle of a one stop shop will apply.  
Energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                                                
 
25  By way of examples: 
 - Interconnectors: Gas interconnections between Bulg aria, Romania and Serbia; Electricity interconnection 
projects between Romania-Bulgaria, Romania-Moldova,  Hungary-Croatia, Hung ary-Romania and Austria-
Hungary (Wien-Györ); Electricity transmission system connecting Slovenia and Hungary - a transmission of 
2 x 400kv between Cirkovce and Pince -; Romania - Serbia High voltage Interconnection project; Adria 
Liquefied Natural Gas terminal on the island of Krk (Croatia); Study on the feasibility of the Liquefied / Compressed Natural Gas terminals in Romania and Bulg aria; “Power Transmission Network Reinforcement” 
between Ukraine and the EU (co-financed by the Neighbourhood Investment Facility). 
 -  Pipelines: Nabucco gas pipeline; Constanta-Trieste (PEOP) pipeline including option for a parallel gas 
pipeline; Bratislava-Schwechat pipeline; gas pipeline connecting Slovenia and Austria; Modernisation the 
Druzhba oil pipeline (as well as its interconnections); Energy Community Gas Ring. 
 
  
 
22¾ Action - “To  extend the use of biomass (e.g. w ood, waste), solar energy, geothermal, 
hydropower and wind power” , especially by research and ex change of experiences / good 
practices / dissemination of information on relate d activities undertaken at national level. This 
would imply networking and cooperation between  national authorities in order to promote 
awareness on renewable energy. 
Ö Example of project - “To foster the sustainable usage  of biomass building on the 
‘4Biomass’ project” . The Danube region has a high potential for bi omass. As opposed to 
other renewable energy sour ces biomass is limited, wh ich involves a danger of 
unsustainable production. In addition, comp etition of use between food and non-food 
applications arises. The ‘4Biomass’ project will address the implementation of national 
Biomass Action Plans and bioenergy policies by  bringing together expert knowledge on the 
use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Thus, this project will contribute 
substantially to the goal of 20% share of re newable energy sources to energy supply in 
Europe. (Lead : Germany, Deadline : September 2011) 
¾ Action - “To reinforce the Carpathian Conventio n to share best practices on using biomass 
for energy purposes”. The Carpathian Convention includes  a provision that Parties shall 
pursue policies aiming at introducing enviro nmentally sound methods for the production, 
distribution and use of energy, which mini mises adverse effects on biodiversity and 
landscapes, including wider use of renewable energy sources and energy-saving measures, as 
appropriate.  
Ö Example of project -  “To create a network to exchange  experiences (and to test pilot 
projects or replicate existi ng good practices) in the fi elds of refurbishments and 
modernisation of small hydropower plants26”. Practical experience has clearly 
demonstrated that refurbishment and modernis ation of facilities in place may increase 
hydropower production while at the same time meeting modern envi ronmental standards 
by being equipped with appropriate fish passes and residual water. (Lead : ICPDR and 
Austria, Federal Ministry of Agricult ure and Forestry, Environment and Water 
Management; Deadline : December 2013) 
Ö Example of project - “To set-up a cooperation mechan ism between the regions of the 
Alpine Convention and the regions of the Car pathian Convention for the transfer of best 
practices, best available technologies , environmental and social know-how”.   
¾ Action - “To  implement the National Renewable Energy Action Plans and to prepare a 
Danube Region Renewable Energy Action Plan” . These should be prepared in light of a 
Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment where appropriate27. 
¾ Action  - “To explore the possibility to have an incr eased energy production originating from 
local renewable energy sources to  increase the energy autonomy”.  Energy autonomy not only 
diminishes dependency on energy import but cr eates also new jobs by requiring new energy 
                                                 
26 “Statement of the Water Directors - Hydropower Development under the Water Framework Directive”: 
http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/wfd/library?l=/fram ework_directive/thematic_documents/hydromorphology/
development_directivepdf/_EN_1.0_&a=d  
27  Whether or not a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) requires a Strategical Environmental 
Assessment (SEA) depends on the specific content of the pl an. It follows from the RES Directive that the aim of 
the NREAP is to pave the way as how the Member States are planning to achieve their national mandatory targets. 
In cases where the NREAP does not "s et the framework for future development consent of projects" within the 
meaning of Art. 3 (2) a) of Directive 2001/42/EC, a SEA is not required.  However, when implementing the 
NREAP, through, as appropriate, more specific plans setting the framework for future development consent of 
projects, SEAs will have to be carried out. 
 
  
 
23production systems and increases the value of re gional assets in a sust ainable way as each 
region creates long-term energy sour ces without depending on others.  
¾ Action - “To develop a comprehe nsive action plan for the su stainable development of the 
hydropower generation potential of the Danub e River and its tribut aries (e.g. Sava, Tisza 
and Mura Rivers)28”. The plan would pave the way fo r the coordinated and sustainable 
development of new power stations in the futu re and retrofitting the existing ones in the way 
that would minimise the environmental impact a nd the impact on the transportation function of 
the rivers (navigation). The options for using hydropower to respond to fluctuations in the 
electricity demand should be explored – using dams  to maintain high water level in preparation 
for the demand peak.  
¾ Action - “To develop and set up pre planning m echanism for the allocation of suitable areas 
for new hydro power projects29”. This pre planning mechanism and its criteria would pave the 
way for new hydropower plants by identifying the best sites balancing economic benefits and 
water protection. It should also take into account climate cha nge impacts (e.g. lower or higher 
water levels). This should be based on a dialogu e between the different competent authorities, 
stakeholders and NGOs. In the suitable areas, the permits process c ould be streamlined. 
¾ Action - “To promote energy ef ficiency and use of renewabl e energy in buildings and  
heating systems including by renovating dist rict heating and combined heat and power 
facilities as required by Energy Performan ce of the Buildings Directive and Renewable 
Energy Directive”. This could be done through networks of best practices  (e.g. sharing 
experience in successful use of the ERDF funds to support sust ainable energy investments in 
housing) and cooperation with International Financial Inst itutions on facilitating the 
sustainable energy investments in housing. In th at context, innovative financing instruments 
such as European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)30 as well as the recently launched Green 
for Growth Fund South East Europe (GGF ) should be promoted and used widely. 
Ö Example of project -  “To design and implement a research and development programme 
(including SMEs) for innovative, sustainable insulation material and other measures to 
improve energy performance in buildings”.  This should be done making cooperative best 
use of existing know-how in the region. Eco-innovation could stimulate economic 
development with positive impacts on local empl oyment, a wide range of industries and 
services, as well as the environment.  
Ö Example of project -  “To explore the scope for sustai nable hydropower development in 
the part of the Sava basin shared by Slovenia and Croatia” . The project will contribute to 
the achievement of the renewable energy objectives of the EU  Energy and Climate 
Package, while respecting the water and nature legislation and taking into account other 
ancillary objectives. (Lead : Slovenia and Croatia) 
¾ Action - “To encourage the Energy Commun ity members/ obser vers in adopting and 
implementing the Renewable Energy Directive”.  Negotiations are underway to include RES 
                                                 
28  The plan would build on the achievements of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River 
(ICPDR) and its Danube River Basin Management Plan (in line with the Water Framework Directive). 
29  This pre planning mechanism would be fully in line with the 2010 Statement of Water Directors and the 2010 
Danube Declaration adopted at the ministerial meeting in Vienna: http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr-files/15216   
30  Including its windows for the Neighbourhood region covering Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: the 
European Neighbourhood Fund (ENBF) co-financed by the EU with a contribution of EUR 10 million provided 
by the Neighbourhood Investment Facility. 
 
  
 
24directive in the ‘acquis comm unautaire’ to be implemented  by Energy Community members 
within the framework of  the Energy Community. 
¾ Action - “To facilitate networking and coopera tion between national authorities in order to 
promote awareness and increase the use of renewable energies (biomass, solar, hydropower 
and wind) especially by research and exchange  of experiences/ good practices/ dissemination 
of information on related activities undertaken at national level.   
Ö Example of project -  “To build on the ‘Sustainable Energy Development Regional 
Initiative’ (SEDRI) project to promote energy efficiency”.  The SEDRI project is a joint 
project of the Central Eu rope Initiative (CEI) and the Regional Cooperation Council 
(RCC). It aims to improve the legislative, institutional and regulator y frameworks for the 
development of the sustainable regional energy sector; to construct small-scale sustainable 
energy facilities in South-East and Eastern Eu ropean countries; to foster a framework for 
regional cooperation in the fiel d of sustainable energy development, including awareness 
raising, education, research and scientific cooperation. (Lead : Central Europe Initiative 
(CEI) and the Regional C ooperation Council (RCC)) 
¾ Action - “To provide local authorities, busine sses and citizens in the Danube Region 
consultative support with issues relating to  mitigation of climate change and energy 
efficiency”.  This could be done by setting up central competence and advisory centres 
(contributing to climate protec tion concepts, energy management , know-how transfer, training 
and public relations work). 
Ö Example of project -  “To set-up a cooperation mechanism of cities and villages in the 
region with the view to co mmit to greenhouse gas emission s reduction, exchange best 
practices and test pilot projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy”.  Cities and 
villages have specific energy n eeds due to the high energy re quirement per square meter. 
The aim is to reduce the air pollution at lo cal level and ultimately at the global level. 
Improvements could be e.g. dist rict heating system based on waste incineration plants and 
high efficient cogeneration plants,  development of district cooli ng technology as well as the 
implementation of innovative ge othermal projects. In this regard consideration could be 
given to a wider participation in the existing Covenant of Mayors Initiative31, in the further 
development of the network of Climate Alliance32 and in the development of a network of 
cities working on renewable technologies. D eveloping the provision and innovative use of 
renewable energy sources in rural areas should be considered as well.  (Lead : City of 
Vienna (to be confirmed)) 
Ö Example of project -  “To build on the ‘Renewable Energy Cooperation of Rural Areas’ 
(RECORA) project”.  This initiative of seven partne rs from five countries (Austria, 
Germany, the Republic Czech, Hungary and Greece) has been supported by the EU 
programme INTERREG IIIC33. The main focus lies on the economic utilisation of 
renewable energy resources and on the prep aration of projects. New jobs have been 
created, alternative use of existing agricultur al products have been processed, analyses of 
                                                 
31  The Covenant of Mayors gives a lead to Europe’s pioneering cities to mitigate climate change through the 
implementation of intelligent local sustainable energy polici es that create stable local jobs and increase citizens’ 
quality of life. Such collaboration could also contribu te to defining the “new Urban Policy for Europe”. 
32  The objective of the ‘Climate Alliance’ (1500 cities and m unicipalities from 7 Danube countries) is first of all the 
reduction of greenhouse emissions. For achieving this goal local climate strategies are developed and 
implemented, especially in the energy and transport sectors. 
33  INTERREG IIIC is an EU-funded programme that helps countries and regions from different countries to form 
partnerships and to work together on common projects (cross-border, transnational and interregional projects). 
 
  
 
25waste components (wood, grass, bio waste etc.) w ith regard to their usability in the energy 
production process have been  developed and exchanged.  
 
  
 
263) TO PROMOTE CULTURE AND TOURISM , PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACTS  
 
Presentation of the issue  
The Danube region is characterise d by a broad heritage of dense a nd diverse histories, cultures, 
ethnicities, religions, market s, societies and states.  
In line with international convent ions in the field of culture (with special reference to the 
UNESCO Conventions) culture can pr omote values of inclusiveness, openness, and acceptance of 
the other based on mutual respect. In the region, the adoption of the Ljubljana Declaration is a key 
milestone in preserving cultural heritage. It ac knowledges the value of the social and economic 
potential of heritage and its key role in the ar ea, and the countries’ commitment to preserving its 
cultural heritage. It can facilitate reconcilia tion between communities. It can reinforce socio-
economic development by strengthening of regional cooperation and interc ultural dialogue while 
ensuring sustainability and joint action. 
Related at least in part to cu lture and heritage, tourism is making an increasingly significant 
contribution to growth in the region. Sustainabili ty should overall be an important criterion in 
developing tourism in the region.  Project-oriented cooperation should act as a catalyst for 
exchange and close collaborati on between neighbours in the regi on, especially on cultural and 
heritage matters. 
The areas of developing tourism, tourism infrastr ucture and improving tourism services, cultural 
heritage and intercultural dialogue are typically inte r-related topics. They be nefit particularly from 
the integrated approach the strategy brings. 
Danube Region specifics  
As the most international river basin in the wo rld, the Danube features numerous touristic and 
heritage highlights. These include  world class cities along the Danube  River as well as attractive 
landscapes (e.g. the Delta as a UNE SCO World Heritage Site). Th ey range from the developed 
tourism destination of the Austrian Wachau to emerging destinations such as the Iron Gate, the 
Carpathians and the Delta. Meas ures should secure the l ong-term competitiveness and 
sustainability of the tourism sector- reinforced through cooperation- as well as regional benefit 
from new developments and investment.  
In terms of history and culture, people throughout the Danube regi on have a shared heritage. As 
appropriate, the strategy s hould use these ties as le vers to promote further cultural and civil society 
cooperation. The regional and local level has an important role to play in this context.  
The implementation of this priority can also fa cilitate the tourism deve lopment potential in the 
whole Danube region through the development of jo int touristic products and promotional policy.  
Actions  
Cultural heritage  
¾ Action - “To build on cultural diversity  as strength of the Danube Region”. This can be done 
 
  
 
27by: 
 Protecting the Danube region’s cu ltural values: cooperation in th e protection of values and 
heritage, joint scientific research, exchange of experiences, courses, conferences, events, 
traineeships; preservation of military memorial sites; 
 Increasing human contacts, prom oting inter-cultural dialogue , inter-religious dialogues, 
language exchanges etc.  
 Improving conditions for youth exchanges; 
 Organising joint (cultural) events, festivals, scholarship programmes; 
 Establishing a network of ‘creat ive forces’ which includes actors in the artistic field. This 
network can build on the expe rience of the various festiv als in the Danube Region; 
 Promoting cultural exchange and exchange in the arts. Cultural activities (e.g. films, 
documentaries, entertainment games/shows refe rring to the Danube Region) can contribute 
significantly to awareness-ra ising for the Danube Region; 
 Supporting contemporary art in the region; 
 Supporting modern entertainment enterprise , including contemporary TV, movie, music 
and interactive games; 
 Establishing a data-base ga thering data on cultural a ssets and cultural activities. 
Ö Example of project -  “To strengthen the Danube regional potential through cultural 
cooperation”: organising joint cultural events, progra mmes, festivals, reviving cultural 
history traditions, bringing cultural history events to heritage sites; international 
cooperation; conferences, exchange programmes, joint camps, thematic cooperation at original historical sites of the Danube.
34  
Ö Example of project -  “To ensure the restoration and main tenance of the sites of historical 
and cultural importance, conservation and pr otection of both tangible and non-tangible 
cultural heritage and providing the access to common cultural heritage”.   
Ö Example of project -  “To conclude the IRPP/ SAAH project in the context of the 
Ljubljana Process”,  jointly implemented by the C ouncil of Europe and the European 
Commission. This project underlines an inte grated approach to cultural heritage 
management. It represents an in centive to build bridges amon g various ethnic communities 
throughout the whole region, contributing to prom otion of reconciliati on, cultural diversity 
and intercultural dialogue.  
Ö Example of project -  “To develop the Balkan Incentive Fund for Culture”.  This sets up an 
information platform that would contain data on multicultural culture programmes and 
initiatives in the region, and enables exc hange of experiences and good practices.  
¾ Action - “To enhance cooperation  and contacts between people of different origins, to 
encourage creativity, and provide a driving force for cultural innovation and economic 
development, based on heritage, traditions and tourism”.  This can benefit from a good 
balance of tradition and modernis ation. A diverse intercultural ap proach also helps to enhance 
the attractiveness of a region for the loca l population and tourists. This can include: 
cooperation for promotion and publicity; internati onal exhibitions and events; exchange in the 
fields of literature, music and art; cooperation in research and innovation on heritage, cultural 
and touristic themes; and cooperation in field of  the preservation of hi storical monuments. 
                                                 
34  E.g.  Cooperation within the International Associ ation of Music Schools and the DANUBIANA visual arts 
project. The latter aims to introduce particularly tale nted young artists from the region every second year. 
 
  
 
28Ö Example of project -  “To strengthen centres for tolerance and reconciliation35”.  
Ö Example of project -  “To further support actions for specific demographic groups, e.g.  
Danube-Networkers”. This facilitates joint activities of  older adults from the neighbouring 
states along the river Danube and seeks to  develop links to other groups working on 
similar themes.  
Tourism 
¾ Action - “To develop the Danube region as a European brand”  – the strategy for the Danube 
region should utilise positive perceptions of the region. The regional and local events celebrating Danube Day on 29 June are demonstrations of this potential. For many of these 
events an overall framework as well as a focus fo r mobilising resources in the tourism sector is 
needed.  
Ö Example of project - “To develop a Quality label for Danube Tourism” - In order to 
support the competitiveness and sustainab ility of Danube tourism (destinations, 
accommodations, tour operators, services li ke cruises, excursions, etc.) define criteria for 
high quality tourism. For destinations th e new Sustainable Tourism Criteria of DG 
Enterprise and Industry could be used. A ccommodations could use the EU eco-label 
(‘flower’). Special communication instrument s, e.g. a web-based booking platform, image 
campaigns, etc. should especially highlight quality tourism products.  
¾ Action - “To establish the Danube Region as  important European tourist destination”  by 
developing an environmentally-fr iendly tourism strategy for the w hole of the region (including 
cities and communities, cultural heritage, nature and economy)
36. In particular, it could be 
interesting to develop a Danube Region label ( building on the "brand" being developed more 
generally) which could open up the international tourist markets (e.g. in the USA, Asia). This 
could also include managing tour ist destinations jointly through  joint marketing, joint events 
and internationally recognised qua lity certification (especially in ecological terms). It can 
promote international tourist projects such as cy cle and hiking trails from the Black Forest to 
the Black Sea. Using modern m eans of communication such as th e Internet can help to make 
the Danube better known as a tourist destina tion and to develop it fo r a new clientele of 
tourists. The Carpathians should al so be promoted as a destinat ion with tourist infrastructure 
and services to be further developed.  
Ö Example of project -  “To create transnational touris t packages e.g. for combined rail-
cycle-boat trips along the Danube”.   
Ö Example of project -  “To improve sustainable mobility through traffic and 
interconnectivity of train, bus an d shipping in the Danube countries” (Project “Danube 
Traffic”)  through the achievement of a political cons ensus for the adaption of timetables 
and an adequate fare policy taking into account the needs of bi kers (transport of bikes) and 
hiking tourists. The aim is a traffic and c lient-friendly Danube Region, allowing for a 
strategic touristic positioning of the Danube Region featuring soft mobility.  
                                                 
35  E.g. the Vukovar Centre for Peace and Tolerance as an institution to foster peace and tolerance in a multi- ethnic 
Europe. It seeks to develop peace processes and tr ansition from open conflicts to consolidation. 
36  An example of best practice is the cooperation of the Working Group Danube Austria (ARGE Donau Österreich 
consisting of tourist organisations of Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Vienna) in the marketing of the Austrian 
Danube Region. 
 
  
 
29Ö Example of project - “To monitor tourism in emerging destinations/ sensitive areas, 
especially the Danube Delta” - Develop monitoring methodologies to collect data about 
tourism statistics, activities, motives etc. and visitor management systems especially in the 
ecological hot-spots such as the Danube Delta.  
Ö Example of project -  “To hold and organise an annual Danube Culture and Tourism 
Day" in different places of the Danube bas in aimed at promoting the Danube as an 
attractive tourism destination and discu ssing various topics with experts”  
¾ Action - “To promote short-stay weekend touris m and recreation, as well as longer stays”. 
¾ Action - “To further develop the navigation and port system for Danube river cruise ships 
and private yachts”  by securing an uninterrupted and secu re navigation with certain standards 
for ports and other navigation-related infrastruc ture. This action should be cross-linked with 
actions under the pillar connectivit y. It should also include bette r berthing facilities, better on-
shore welcome and recreational facilities. Enviro nmentally friendly waste management systems 
are needed. The integration of the Danube and the Black Sea into  a "synergised" cruise ship 
destination would also establish a link to the EU Black Sea Synergy. 
¾ Action - “To further develop an d intensify Activity Tourism” . Establish travel  chains along 
the Danube with attractive stations  and tourist itinerary offers fo r several days (by train, car, 
ship, bike and hike).  
¾ Action - “To further enhance interconnection and cooperation in education and scientific 
and research activities for tourism”  (modernisation of the curricula of occupational and 
university education for professions  in tourism; development of cooperation in the exchange of 
lecturers, students, pupils and st aff in the programs for the edu cation and training in tourism; 
creating, organising and implementi ng the programme of lifelong lear ning for jobs in tourism / 
tourist industry). 
¾ Action - “To improve planning and infrastructure for tourism”. This should include 
accommodation and hospitality facilities, port touris m infrastructure, walkways and paths, info-
centres, cycling routes and their networking in  the Danube area including their linkage to the 
network of routes along the rive rs Sava and Drava. It should also emphasise protected areas 
and locations of natural and cultur al heritage as well as theme pa rks, wine roads, view towers, 
grounds and equipment for sports and recreation.  
Ö Example of project -  “To improve cruise tourism on the Danube” (Harmonisation and 
coordination of time schedules of buses, tr ains and ships for tourism; Danube and Black 
Sea – destination for cruise ships.   
Ö Example of project -  “To realise the Danube walking path, proposed by the Danube 
Tourism  Commission”.  
¾ Action - “To support the improvement of  the quality of tourism products”  and the supply 
chain by the development of regional sustaina ble tourism strategies and the definition of 
quality criteria, and by the deve lopment of eco-labels and certifi cation schemes. This can also 
include development of tourism associations and campaigns. 
¾ Action - “To promote sustainable tourism” for example by promoting train / bus /cycle / ships 
options and combining this with tourism attrac tions which encourage visits to natural and 
 
  
 
30cultural sites.  
Ö Example of project - “To support green ways and cycle tourism”  - Cycling tourism is a 
form of sustainable tourism and often a cont ribution to cross-border development of 
European regions. This project aims at usi ng the growing importance of cycle tourism – 
e.g. along the Danube cycle trail or other long distance cycle tra ils within the region, such 
as the planned Iron Curtain Trail. There are already a number of su ccessful regional and 
international cycle routes in  the region, includin g e.g. the Prague-Vienna Greenway or the 
Amber Trail from Budapest through Slovakia to  Krakow in Poland, as well as national and 
sub-national routes, such as the Wine Tr ails of Southern Moravia and the Austrian 
Weinviertel.  
¾ Action - “To promote wellness tourism in the Region”.  
Ö Example of project - “To support health and wellness facilities, including spas, 
improvement and marketing”.   
¾  Action - “To collect existing data on cultural activities and establishing a comprehensive 
data base giving an overview of cultura l activities in the Danube Region”.  
¾ Action - “To promote cultural exchange and exchange in the arts”.  Cultural activities (e.g. 
films, documentaries, entertainment games/shows referring to the Danube Region) can contribute significantly to awaren ess-raising for the Danube Region.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the Cultural route Danube”:  Protection, restoration 
and utilisation of cultural heritage in m any Danube countries par tly lacks awareness, 
financial means and administra tive/legal framework. R econstruction, protection, 
development and promotion of physical and non-physica l heritage is needed with a view to 
developing tourism. Joint cultural projects n eed to be supported (reconstruction of palaces 
and castles and the traditional building heritage, ship cruises, reviving old trades, making souvenirs, reviving the traditional and creating new manifestations and feasts, activities to 
promote the spirit of togetherness of the population in the Danube area. A modern cultural 
map of the area could be prepared.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the Cultural Danube Card”. To build on the existing 
material and expand it where appropriate  and necessary (ARGE Donauländer).   
Ö Example of project -  “To implement a Danube Media Network” . This concerns media-
centres, radio and TV stations, professionals, gov ernmental institutions, some NGO-s, etc.  
Ö Example of project -  “To further develop the Danube Theatre Festival”.  
Ö Example of project - “To promote the Danube Limes
37 as an UNESCO world heritage. 
Proposed by the Danube Commission (already existing project financed under ETC 
Central Europe programme)”.   
 
                                                 
37  This programme, realised through the cooperation of the heritage preservation organizations of Hungary and four 
other countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland), as well as other partners, has made it its goal to prepare a World Heritage nomination for one of the important and certainly remarkable parts of the border of the Roman 
Empire. 
 
  
 
31B) PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DANUBE REGION  
 
  
 
32PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DANUBE REGION  
 
The environment is an under-pinning element of all human activities.  As such it is taken into 
account in many sectors covered by this Strategy, eith er voluntarily or, when that is not the case, 
through legislative requirements (e.g. Environmen tal Impact Assessment Directive, Birds or 
Habitats Directives, etc).  Nevertheless, a specifi c pillar dedicated to the environment in the Danube 
Strategy is essential for this ecologically rich and often fragile Region, to ensure that progress on 
environmental actions and projec ts can be closely monitored.  
The actions proposed will make a direct contribution to the Europe 2020 Strategy. They address 
specifically the goals of tackling climate change  challenges, of devel oping sustainable use of 
resources (which include water, nature and land for instance) and of securing quality of life. 
Additionally, they will contribute  to achieving the EU 2020 target and 2050 vision for biodiversity 
and to implementing the EU post-2010 biodiversity strategy once adopted. 
The pillar focuses on three Priority Areas: (1) To re store and maintain the quality of waters; (2) To 
manage environmental risks and (3 ) To preserve biodiversity, lands capes and the qual ity of air and 
soil.  
These priority areas have to be considered with other policy fi elds. The Strategy encourages an 
integrated approach. For example, whilst improving transport infrastructure has a positive impact on the business environment, on the attractiveness of cities and regions or on the mobility of citizens, it can also have negative impacts on landscapes, biodiversity, quality of air, soil and 
water. In the energy se ctor, it is desirable to increase the production of en ergy from renewable 
sources, but this cannot be done at the expense of biodiversity. All th ese matters need to be looked 
at together, with a view to the most sustainable solution.  
Examples of financing covering the Region
 
Expenditures budgeted by the Structural Funds38 in 2007-201339 
Environment    EUR 19.5 b 
Biodiversity   EUR 1.1 b 
Waste water treatment  EUR 5.7 b Drinking water    EUR 3 b 
Solid waste   EUR 2.6 b 
Risks    EUR 1.9 b Other    EUR 5.2 b 
Other sources of financing  
Other EU programmes contribute to th is pillar, in particular: the 7 th Research Framework 
Programme, the LIFE programme, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) National, 
Cross-border Cooperation and Multi -beneficiary country programm es, several programmes of the 
European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument  (ENPI) (such as the Regional programmes or 
the Cross-border Cooperation Programmes), th e European Agriculture Fund for Rural 
                                                 
38  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) including cross-border cooperation, Cohesion Fund and European 
Social Fund for the Member Stat es. The Instrument for Pre-Accessi on Assistance and the European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) are not included. 
39  The use of Structural Funds depends on the specific operational programmes, developed and agreed upon at the 
beginning of the 2007-2013 programming period in close collaboration between the European Commission and the respective Member States/ Regions. These should offer opportunities for funding for specific actions/ projects, 
depending on the priorities and measurements/ actions identified in the respectiv e operational programmes. 
 
  
 
33Development (EAFRD), the European Fisheries F und (EFF) and the EU Civil Protection Financial 
Instrument. National, regional and local policies are also financing important projects. In addition, 
significant financing is already provided to a la rge number of projects via lending and/ or co-
financing from various International and Bilateral Finance Institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank fo r Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the 
World Bank, the Council of Europe Deve lopment Bank (CEB) or other lenders. 
More recently, for the countries of the Western Ba lkans, additional efforts have been made to 
better coordinate and blend instruments for grants  and loans via the Western Balkans Investment 
Framework
40 (WBIF).  A similar instrument to the WBIF, the Neighbourhood Investment Facility 
operates for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. 
The candidate and potential candidate countries ar e also assisted in their environmental by the 
Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RE NA) which assists them in the exchange of 
information and experience related to preparation for the environmental aspects of accession, including the field of strate gic investments and planning.  
As an illustration, in the water sector there has b een significant investment.  The EIB for instance, 
already provides substan tial support to a large number of pr ojects which contribute to the overall 
water quality improvement of the Danube River Ba sin.  In Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, 
Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia Herze govina, Croatia, Serbia on-going projects in the 
fields of waster water treatme nt, sanitation or drinking wate r are supported financially and 
technically by the EIB.  In c ooperation with the European Comm ission, the EBRD and KfW, the 
EIB is also involved in managing the Joint Assi stance to Support Projects in European Regions 
(JASPERS) initiative which curren tly supports the prepara tion of 36 major wate r sector projects in 
EU Member States of the Danube River Basin. 
                                                
 
40   The Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) is a blending instrument for grants and loans for candidate 
countries and potential candidates. 
 
  
 
344) TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF WATERS  
 
Presentation of the issue  
The availability and quality of freshwater resources is vital.  We need drinking water, water for 
irrigation, industry, power generation, transport a nd tourism.  Ecosystems need good quality to 
function properly and mainta in or restore biodiversity. 
The Danube Region has at its heart the second longest river in Euro pe and the most international 
river basin in the world.  The Danube River stre tches over 2,800 km across Europe and flows into 
the Black Sea, after crossing 10 count ries and settling into a vast delta which c onstitutes the richest 
biodiversity area in Europe. 
The Danube Basin covers an area of over 800,000 km2, stretches over 19 countries, 1441 of which 
are contracting parties to the Danube River Pr otection Convention (DRPC)  signed in Sofia in 
1994.  Besides the Danube itself, the Basin includes other major European rivers such as the Sava, 
Tisza, Drava and Prut as well as smaller ones such as the Inn, Morava, Váh, Velika Morava and 
Siret.  The drainage area of th e Danube is also infl uenced by two major mountain chains: the Alps 
and the Carpathians.   
Water management is therefore a central issue to the Danube Regi on, especially since water does 
not recognise borders and its ma nagement requires strong coordi nation and cooperation across 
countries and across sectors. This  is a key practical as pect, illustrating the territorial cohesion 
objective now enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty. 
Such coordination is already fac ilitated through the Inte rnational Commission for the Protection of 
the Danube River (ICPDR) which is the Steeri ng Body of the DRPC, established in 1998 and 
supported by a Secretariat to implement the C onvention, and, more recently, to implement the 
transboundary aspects of the EU Water Framework Di rective (WFD).  Major tributaries have also 
started to work on enhanced cooperation, with th e establishment of e.g. the International Sava 
River Basin Commission (ISRBC) wh ich aims at establishing sust ainable water management and 
navigation for the Sava. Tisza ri ver basin cooperation is coordi nated by the Tisza Group of the 
ICPDR. 
In addition, water management across the EU must  respond to a number of legislative acts which 
lead to concrete actions and inve stments in the Member States.  All these are aimed at improving 
the quality of the waters, also of special impo rtance in the Danube Region.  In particular, the 
implementation of the WFD, the Urban Waste Water Treatment (UWWT) Directive or the Nitrates Directive should in themselv es guarantee a subs tantial water quality improvement. 
Danube Region specifics
 
Recent extensive analytical work carried out  principally in the framework of ICPDR42 has 
provided a reliable and s ound picture of water quality and mana gement issues across the Danube 
                                                 
41  Countries with basin territories greater than 2,000 km 2 are formally considered as part of the Danube Basin 
according to the provisions of th e Danube River Protection Convention 
42  See Joint Danube Surveys information : http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr-pages/jds2.htm  and Transnational Monitoring 
Network : http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr-pages/tnmn.htm   
 
  
 
35Basin.  This is set out in the Danube River Basin Management Plan (DRMP), adopted by all 
contracting parties in December 200943. It is clear from this Mana gement Plan that significant 
challenges exist throughout the ri ver basin. Impetus for further re search and identification of 
remedial and preventive actions is  provided by EU legislative acts such as the WFD, the Birds and 
Habitats Directives, the Floods Directive, etc. 
The action underlined will address in particular ke y issues related to wa ter quality in the Danube 
Basin and its main sub-basins (tri butaries).  However, water issues need to be addressed in an 
integrated way which means that equally critical  are issues such as floods and water scarcity 
(which are addressed in the chap ter dedicated to environmental ri sks) or solid waste management 
(which is addressed in the chapter de dicated to biodivers ity and landscapes). 
Of particular importance for the Region is the quality of the water which is discharged into the 
Black Sea. Although data for other rivers flowing into the sea are scarce, it can be reasonably 
assumed that an important part of the pollutant s come from the Danube, accounting for a large part 
of the river-borne phosphate loads entering the s ea.  Therefore, positive action to reduce Danube 
pollution will have a direct beneficial effect on th e Black Sea and its marine environment. From a 
legal point of view, as the Black Sea is a sensi tive area under the Urban Waste Water Directive, all 
urban waste water treatment plants for EU aggl omerations of more than 10,000 p.e. upstream have 
to ensure more advanced (tertiary) treatment. 
The Danube River Management Plan and its underp inning research, monitoring and analysis have 
identified four main challenges in relation to  the quality of water (b oth surface and groundwater, 
both chemical and ecological st atus) across the Danube Basin: 
1.  Organic pollution:  caused by the emission of pa rtially treated or untre ated wastewater from 
agglomerations, industry and agriculture.   Organic pollution causes imbalances in the 
oxygen levels of surface waters and has a dir ect negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem 
2.  Nutrient pollution: caused by the emission of phosphates and nitroge n from agriculture 
(both land cultivation – mineral fertilisers and animal husbandry – livestock manure) and untreated discharge of wastewater from the industry and urban areas.   Nutrient pollution 
mainly causes eutrophication and therefore pr ovokes accelerated growth of algae and other 
undesirable plants which affect  other organisms and ultimate ly decreases th e quality of 
water. The Nitrates Directive should be fully implemented in the region. 
3.  Hazardous substances pollution: caused mainly  by industrial effluents, discharges from 
mining operations and accidental pollution.  Hazardous substances pollution can cause severe damage to the ecosystems (aquatic and te rrestrial) and directly affect the health of 
the human population.   
4.  Hydromorphological alterations to rivers and lakes:  the interrupti on of river and habitat 
continuity, the disconnection of adjacent we tlands/floodplains and hydrological alterations 
have a significant impact on water quality. River continuity is also crucial to ensure that 
flagship endangered species like the sturge on can maintain self-sustainable populations. 
Furthermore, impact on the ecological status of the water and its sediment balance for instance must be considered. 
Actions
 
                                                 
43  See : http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr-pages/danube_rbm_plan_ready.htm   
 
  
 
36¾ Action - “To implement fully the Danub e River Basin Management Plan” - in the field of 
water management, cooperation between Danube c ountries is already well advanced mainly 
through the inter-governmental work which take s place under the umbr ella of ICPDR and 
ISRBC.  This Action Plan fully supports all th e measures which have been agreed by the 
countries in the framework of their endorsement  of the Danube River Basin Management Plan 
(DRBMP) and its accompanying Joint Programme  of Measures.  Therefore the Danube 
Declaration adopted by the Mi nisters of Environment on 16 February 2010 entitled "Danube 
Basin: Shared waters – Joint responsibilities"44 is an integral part of this EUSDR Action Plan 
and is seen as the key information source for the identification, priori tisation and financial 
support of agreed measures in th e countries of the Danube Region.  
¾ Action - “To greatly strengthen cooperation at sub-basin level”.  The Danube has a number of 
important, international tributaries.  For those, it is particularly important to develop specific 
river basin management plans (T isza, Sava and Prut rivers).  Where institutions are already 
established (e.g. the Sava Commi ssion, Tisza Group), cooperation a nd exchange of information 
should be strengthened. Where this  is not sufficiently the case (e .g. Prut), the process should be 
initiated or promoted. This also applies to n ecessary work in the Danube Delta where joint 
management agreements are necessary.  
Ö Example of project  - “To complete and adopt Danube Tributaries' River Basin 
Management Plans” – this project is currently on-going for the rivers Tisza and Sava.  
For the Tisza, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Uk raine and Serbia are currently cooperating 
on the basis of the Memorandum of Underst anding signed in 2004 and coordinated by the 
Tisza Group established in the framework of th e ICPDR. The first draft of the Integrated 
Tisza River Basin Management Plan is under public consultation and should be finalised 
by the end of 2010. As regards the Sava, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia have signed a Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin and established the International Sava River Basin Commission (I SRBC).  A full River Basin Management Plan 
is under preparation, with financial support from the European Commission, and should be 
completed by the end of 2011 (Lead
 : relevant river management body; Deadline  : end 
2011)   
Ö Example of project -  “To complete and adopt a Management Plan for the Danube Delta” 
– the delta is one of the sub-basins identified  within the wider Danube area.  Much still 
needs to be done to develop joint data collec tion, joint research and joint initiatives in 
terms of delta water management.  Despite co mplex socio-economic and political issues 
affecting the area, the three countries c oncerned (Romania, Moldova and Ukraine) have 
started cooperating more closel y, with the support of the ICPDR.  A full management plan 
should be prepared and agreed, possibly with th e support of a project to be funded by the 
ENPI CBC Programme Romania-Ukraine-Moldova.  (Lead : Romania, Ukraine and 
Moldova) 
¾ Action - “To continue to invest in and suppor t the information collection systems already 
developed by ICPDR”, activities such as th e Transnational Monito ring Network, the Danube 
Joint Surveys or the GIS (Geographic Inform ation System) databases provide essential 
information necessary to identif y key problems and take action in  order to meet the objectives 
of the Water Framework Directive.  Such tool s need to comply to the measures, rights and 
obligations of the INSPIRE directive45, be further supported by the countries involved and 
developed to meet new challenges and questions  such as those connected to climate change 
                                                 
44  See: http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr-pages/mm2010.htm   
45  Directive 2007/2/EC - Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community 
 
  
 
37scenarios or the migration of fish.  There shou ld be improvement in the standardisation of 
sampling and analysing methods and clear co mmitments to meet sampling and analysing 
targets. 
Ö Example of project -  “To carry out the next Joint Danube Survey by 2013 and to 
complete the development of the existing Danube GIS Database” . In the field of water 
management, collecting and analysing data, fu rther harmonization of other national 
monitoring and assessment methods, is of the utmost importance.  To this effect, the 
existing work already completed needs to be  further developed and monitoring of water 
quality needs to be a permanent feature.  As far as the GIS system is concerned, it will be 
critical to make it compatible  with the WISE system developed by the EU and to make 
results available to other key actors. (Lead : ICPDR; Deadline  : 2013)   
Ö Example of project -  “To establish and complete the Sava GIS”  - the Sava GIS Strategy 
was adopted by the ISRBC in 2008. The main aim of the Sava GIS Strategy is to establish an effective and efficient (geo) information system and spatial data infrastructure to 
support a wide range of water management pl anning activities.  In December 2009, a grant 
was received from the European Commission to support the ISRBC in preparing and implementing its river management plan. In this  way, collected national data sets will be 
refined and verified and initial ac tivities in the est ablishment of the Sava GeoPortal core 
functionalities will be performed. (Lead
: ISRBC; Deadline  : December 2013) 
¾ Action - “To continue boosting major invest ments in building and upgrading urban 
wastewater treatment facilitie s across the Danube Basin, including measures to build 
capacity at the regional and local level for the design of such infrastructure”.  Requirements 
under EU environmental legislation need to be fully met and EU funding possibilities need to 
be used effectively  in order to ensure full prim ary, secondary and tertiary  treatment as foreseen 
in EU legislation.  In addition, the Danube countri es which are not members of the EU are also 
being urged to speed up their i nvestments in WWTP, as they pl edged to do when adopting the 
DRBMP at the end of 2009. This need is particular ly acute in large agglomerations such as the 
city of Belgrade.  A full list of the facilities needed is available from ICPDR46.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the Blue Danube cooperation project to exchange 
technologies, experience and personnel in the field of urban waste water treatment”. The 
project initially invol ves the Danube cities of Ulm and Vi din and looks in particular at new 
technologies aimed at removing waste from pharmaceutical products.  (Lead  : University 
of Ulm; Deadline  : 2014) 
¾ Action - “To establish buffer strips along the rivers to retain nutrients and to promote 
alternative collection and treatment of  waste in small rural settlements”.  This is an important 
action which should be seen as complementi ng the effects of completing the network of 
WWTP.  Other, less costly and heavy, methods of reducing pollu ting discharges into rivers 
(alternative sanitation) should be explored wherever possible. For examples of projects, please 
consult the "Environmental Risks" priority. 
¾ Action - “To foster and develop an active pr ocess of dialogue and cooperation between 
authorities responsible for agriculture and enviro nment to ensure that measures are taken to 
address agricultural pollution”. It is vital that key stake holders from environment and 
agriculture (ministries but also farmers' associat ions and civil society) cooperate in order to 
jointly re-enforce concrete measures in reduc ing pollution from fertilis ers and manure, using 
instruments such as Best Agri cultural Practices and Green Fa rming. This work should expand 
                                                 
46  See: http://www.icpdr.org/participate/sites/icpdr. org.participate/files/DRBMPmaps_all.pdf   
 
  
 
38to comply with the Nitrates Directive and lead  to the full implementation in the region of a 
holistic/overarching plan to reduc e nutrients discharge. In Memb er States, it can be supported 
by the 1st and 2nd pillars of the Common Agricultural Poli cy where such interventions already 
exist.  
¾ Action - “To legislate at the appropriate level  to limit the presence of phosphates in 
detergents”.   This key action is seen as a very cost  effective pollution control initiative which 
can quickly and effectivel y reduce the nutrient pollution in the Danube region. 
¾ Action - “To treat hazardous substances and contaminated sludge with the newest and best 
available technology and to develop and pr omote remediation measures for hazardous 
producing or abandoned industrial sites and waste deposits”- Important to invest in research 
and innovation to reduce risks connected with th e production of hazardous substances and their 
disposal, which can have disastrous conseque nces on the quality of ground and surface waters. 
¾ Action - “To assure the proper control and progr essive substitution of substances that are 
considered problematic for Danube Region”,  and which are identified under REACH47 as 
substances of very high concern, through  the preparation of Annex XV dossiers for 
identification of those substances  and their with a view to thei r eventual inclusion in Annex 
XIV of REACH.   
¾ Action - “To reduce existing water continuity in terruption for fish migration in the Danube 
river basin”.  ICPDR has identified 900 spots where wate r flows are discontinued to the point 
of preventing fish migration.  In  the current DRBMP it is agreed that 108 migrati on aids will be 
built, which is a good start but which needs to be expanded in the coming years. It is also vital 
to implement fully the jointly agreed Sturgeon Action Plan48 and to invest into further research 
on fish migration rout es and behaviour.  
Ö Example of project -  “To make the feasibility study fo r restoring continuity at the Iron 
Gates” . The sturgeon and other fish  population are decreasing b ecause of the existence of 
big dams that prevent the fish migrating and thus  reproducing. One of the biggest obstacles 
is the Iron Gate hydroelectric dam between Romania and Serbia. A feasibility study on the 
possibilities of fish migration through the dam should be carried out.  (Lead : Romania and 
Serbia; Deadline :  end 2012) 
Ö Example of project - “To carry out an assessment for restoration of the sediment balance 
in the Danube”. Trans-boundary solutions need to be f ound for the problem  of riverbed 
incision and the lack of sediment. Hydropower  dams and dredging activities on the Danube 
cause serious problems in the balance of the sedi ment of the river system, which drives the 
deepening of the riverbed on free flowing ri ver sections. Co-ordination within the 
framework of the Strategy will help ensu re identification and implementation of best 
solutions. This is also an important pr oject in relation to flood prevention.  
Ö Example of project - “To examine biodiversity and envi ronmental status of sediment, 
water and biota in the Sava River Basin” - The project should focus mainly on integration 
of EU environmental directives in Sava river countries. A system for efficient exchange of 
data will be established and know-how tran sfer between project partners and other 
relevant institutions in the Sava River Basin w ill be provided. The eco logical status of the 
Sava River Basin will be evaluated on the basis of data collected. Outcomes of the project 
will serve as the basis for application of the EU directives and sustainable water 
                                                 
47  Regulation 1907/2006 
48  See : http://www.iad.gs/docs/reports/SAP.pdf   
 
  
 
39management activities which are crucial fo r the Sava River Basin Management Plan, as 
well as the management of natural a ssets and protected areas. (Lead:  ISRBC, Deadline :  
2014 ) 
¾ Action - “To promote measures to  limit water abstraction”-   As there is competition for water 
for various purposes (drinking wa ter, irrigation, industry, ener gy) and in view of possible 
reduced levels of water available in the future, actions should be developed to establish a water abstraction management concept with special attention to water demand management, e.g. the 
promotion of efficient irrigati on techniques in agriculture, th e reduction of water usage in 
industry and the fostering of a water-saving culture, as per the European Commission's 
Communication on Water Scarc ity and Droughts in the EU
49.  
¾ Action - “To strengthen general awareness an d facilitate exchange of good practice in 
integrated water management issues in th e Danube Basin among d ecision-makers at all 
levels and among the population of the Region” - It is very important that the population at 
large, and in particular  young people, are aware of the chal lenges facing the region in terms of 
water quality and management.  Existing initia tives such as Danube Day or the Danube Box 
should be built upon and expanded. 
¾ Action - “To promote measures aimed at reducing knowledge  deficits, developing and 
transferring tools, methods and guidelines co ncerning the safeguarding of drinking water 
supply” . Drinking water supply is a challenging issue in the region, and there are great 
disparities between the existing infrastructures , with some networks suffering from above-
average leakage rates and below-average quality assurance levels.  This could be improved by 
fostering intense cooperation between drinking water suppliers.  Ways in which to implement 
the cost recovery principle and general water pr icing issues should be discussed and experience 
exchanged. 
¾ Action - “To further strengthen Integrated C oastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Maritime 
Spatial Planning (MSP) practices on the Western shores of the Black Sea”- Human activities 
tend to develop together in coas tal and marine areas, coming into conflict with each other and 
with protection needs of habita ts and landscapes. ICZM and MSP,  as planning instruments to 
allocate the spatial and temporal  distribution of huma n activities in coastal and marine areas 
should be encouraged and exchange of experien ce should be put in pl ace, building also on the 
pilot projects developed under the PlanCoast proj ect. Considering that many issues transcend 
national borders, ICZM and MSP can yield their full benefits only if all coastal regions 
introduce such systems, use compatible and comparable systems and learn from each other's experience. Such activities will be carried out taking into account the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the EU ICZM Reco mmendation and the ICZM activities of the 
Bucharest Convention for the protection of the Black Sea Environment. 
                                                
 
49  COM(2007) 414 final 
 
  
 
405) TO MANAGE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS  
 
Presentation of the issue  
Climate change poses major challenges to all part s of the European Union and will require specific 
responses as outlined in the European Commi ssion's White Paper of April 2009. Extreme weather 
phenomena are likely to occur more frequently across Europe and therefore also in the Danube 
Region.  Since water plays a crucial role in th e region (as the territory coincides with the 
hydrological basin of the second larg est river in Europe), we can anticipate that these phenomena 
will lead to increased water level variations which will have direct consequences on the citizens and businesses of the region.   
The frequency and severity of floods on the one hand, but also of drought, forest fires, storms, 
erosion, icing and water scarcity on the other hand, are likely to present major ch allenges in the 
coming years.  Excessive heat and lack of water also pose substantial problems, both in everyday 
human terms, but also with impact on agri culture, industria l and leisure activities.   
Additionally, the Danube Basin Re gion is characterised by the presence of a high number of 
industrial risks sites which present a constant danger to the environment and citizens.  Past 
examples of severe pollution have shown that accidents do happen, and that knowledge of the risk potential, preparedness as well as ra pid response mechanisms are essential to prevent, be prepared 
or reduce damage. 
At European level, the European Civil Protectio n Mechanism was establis hed in 2001 to support 
the mobilisation of emergency a ssistance in the event of major disasters, by Council Decisions 
2001/792/EC Euratom
50 and 2007/779/EC, Euratom51. The Mechanism can be activated in 
response to any type of natural or  man-made disaster, such as ear thquakes, floods, forest fires, 
technological or radiological accid ents, accidental marine pollution or terrorist attacks. Currently 
31 countries participate, being:  the 27 Member States plus Ic eland, Liechtenstein, Norway and 
Croatia. The Mechanism is open to candidate countri es and also cooperates  with other regional 
organisations and third countries.  
In the area of civil protection the European Co mmission and Participating States are taking an 
integrated approach to disaster management in cluding prevention, preparedness and response. In 
the area of prevention, the agreed priorities incl ude: the development of knowledge based disaster 
prevention policies (spreading be st practices, devel oping common guidelines on risk assessment 
and mapping); and linking the actor s and policies throughout the disaster management cycle 
(developing lessons learnt, rein forcing early warning tools). 
Danube Region specifics  
At present, only limited work has been done to  examine the various possible climate change 
scenarios and even less to devel op meaningful and effective respons es at basin level.  The Danube 
Strategy will provide a timely opportunity to put in  place the required elements on which to build a 
Danube Adaptation Strategy in the nearest possible future.  It will be essential that there is a full 
                                                 
50  See : http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/2001/l_297/l_29720011115en00070011.pdf   
51  See :  http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/prote/legal_texts.htm   
 
  
 
41cross-cutting, integrated approach to climate cha nge, as it can impact on a large number of sectors 
(drinking water, agriculture,  navigation, tourism, etc). 
In the meantime, all the countries of the Danube  Region expressed their common intention to 
strengthen cooperation in preventing, preparin g for and responding to natural and man-made 
disasters such as massive floods or industrial accidents. These ev ents have a negative impact on 
natural landscapes and biodivers ity, but also result in loss of life and damage to economic 
activities and social infrastructures.  Flood pr evention is of particular importance.   
The EU Floods Directive provides a legal framewor k for a coordinated appr oach to assessing and 
managing flood risks.  This means that Flood Prot ection Action Plans need to be formulated at 
sub-basin level, ultimately to lead to the adoption of a sing le Danube-wide Flood Management 
Plan.  The Ministerial Declara tion adopted by the Danube countries in the framework of their 
cooperation on water management states that "fl ood prevention and protecti on are not short term 
tasks but permanent tasks of the highest priority ". The Declaration comm its the signatories to 
"develop one single international Flood Risk Management Plan or a set of Flood Risk Management 
Plans based on the ICPDR Action Programme for Sustainable Flood  Protection". This work is 
currently ongoing.  Flood Action Plans ar e already adopted for the 17 sub-basins52 and will be 
followed by Flood Risk Management Plans which s hould be finalised for 2015 in accordance with 
the Floods Directive. 
Many regions throughout the Danube  Region are particularly subject  to high flood risks, as was 
illustrated by the disastrous events in 2006. Th is flood disaster affected the upper (Germany, 
Austria), middle (Slovakia, H ungary, Serbia, Croatia) and lowe r reaches (Romania, Bulgaria, 
Moldova) of the Danube, as well as some of its tributaries (Czech Republic). The floods cost ten 
lives, made 30,000 people temporarily homeless a nd caused damages amounting to € 500 million. 
Alongside extraordinarily high precip itation, the disaster was also due  to the loss of  flood retention 
areas such as floodplains and wetlands.  Furthe r flooding has been widespread more recently, 
particularly in Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Repub lic, Romania, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, 
Slovenia and Croatia in 2010. 
The balance between water demand and availability has reached a critical level in many areas of 
Europe (water scarcity). In addition, more areas are adversely affected by changes in the hydrological cycle and precipitatio n patterns (increasing aridit y and frequency of droughts). 
Climate change will almost certainly exacerbate th ese adverse impacts in the future, with more 
frequent and severe drought s expected across Europe a nd the neighbouring countries. 
Over the past thirty years, droughts have dramatica lly increased in number and intensity in the EU. 
It is estimated that the number of areas and people affected by droughts went up by almost 20% 
between 1976 and 2006 and that at  least 11% of the European popul ation and 17% of  its territory 
have been affected by water scarcity to date.  The total monetary cost of droughts over the past 
thirty years has been estimated to € 100 billion. However, the cost estimates are based on self-
reported damages and costs cover only direct costs, excluding ecological and social cost. 
As the industrial accident spills  (arsenic, cyanide, alkaline sludge ) of 2000 in Baia Mare and Baia 
Borsa and of 2010 in Ajka show, severe pollution incidents are a concern. In particular, various 
mining activities which take place in the Carpathi ans present serious danger. Leakages from old 
industrial installations or cont aminated sites are also occurring.  Working on preventing these 
                                                
 
52  The 17 sub-basins are : Upper Danube – Inn - Austrian Danube - Morava, Vah, Hron and Ipel – Pannonian 
Central Danube – Drava and Mura – Sava – Tisza – Pannonian Southern Danube – Banat – Velika Morava – Bulgarian tributaries – South-Central Romanian tributaries – Lower Danube corridor – Prut and Siret – Danube 
Delta Liman 
 
  
 
42events and on dealing with them rapidly and efficiently, is a necessity throughout the Danube 
Region. An inventory of high-risk and contaminated sites already exists.  This inventory needs to 
be extended and continuously upda ted and could contribute to the development of a risk mapping 
and assessment process in the region in conjunction with the enhancement of the early warning monitoring infrastructure identifying and documen ting threats. The ICPDR monitors this process
53.   
The European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated several times in emergencies in the 
Danube region, including the recent floods in Hunga ry (May-June 2010), H1N1 severe respiratory 
infection in Bulgaria and Ukrain e (2009), potential tailings dam collapse in the Kalush region 
(Ukraine, 2010), gas shortage cr isis in Moldova (2009), floods in Ukraine (2008), floods in 
Romania and Republic of Moldova  (2008, 2010), and the industrial acc ident at Ajka in Hungary 
(October 2010).  
Actions  
¾ Action - “To develop and adopt one single over arching floods manageme nt plan at basin 
level or a set of flood risk ma nagement plans coordinated at the level of the international 
river basin”- This overarching plan or set of plans should set a basin-wide common 
understanding regarding the planned measures a nd joint solutions in order to avoid that 
problems are "exported to the ne ighbours". The action should prom ote Green Infrastructure and 
ecosystem based approaches providing long-ter m, sustainable solutions often at a lower 
investment and maintenance cost, ensuring sp atial and functional c onnectivity and providing 
win-win solutions. 
Ö Example of project -  “To complete and make full use of the outputs of the DANUBE 
FLOODRISK project currently underway (European Territorial Cooperation 
Programme South-East Europe)”- Many Danube authorities, at national, regional and 
local levels, as well as civil society, have highl ighted the importance of  this existing project 
and have urged the relevant decision-makers to make full use of the futu re project outputs.  
As a result of cross-country c ooperation, a set of unified hazar d and flood risk maps will be 
produced for the Danube floodplains, which will provide the basis for adequate risk management and planning activities.  This can only happen through increased 
harmonisation of data.  The met hodology will be tested via th ree pilot projects for the 
implementation of concrete measures at loca l level, based on the maps produced.  (Lead
: 
Ministry of Environmen t, Romania; Deadline : April 2012). 
Ö Example of project - “To promote transnational conservation of the remaining 
floodplains along the entire length of the Danube by completing existing initiatives and 
promoting new ones, including along tributaries” – there are already in various parts of 
the Danube Basin excellent examples of flood plain conservation or restoration, which 
should be either completed or expanded.  Ex amples include the s ection between Neuburg 
and Ingolstadt or the Blue Ribbon of Biodi versity promoted by Bund Naturschutz in 
Bavaria or the Green Corridor in the Lower Danube. (Lead : Bavaria and Bulgaria)  
¾ Action - “To support wetland and floodplain restor ation as an effectiv e mean of enhancing 
flood protection, and more generally to analyse and identify the best response to flood risk 
(including “green infrastructure”)”.  Protection against flood requi res taking specific measures 
which can vary across the Region according to  a series of geographi cal or hydromorphological 
elements.  Building reinforced dykes and banks is not always the most sustainable way to protect an area from potential floods.  Wetlands and floodplains (giving the rivers space) also 
contribute significantly to protect ing and preserving biodiversity and eco-systems, they have a 
                                                
 
53  See : http://www.icpdr .org/icpdr-pages/accide ntal_pollution.htm   
 
  
 
43positive impact on water filtering and prevent eros ion.  In addition, they offer great potential 
for green tourism.  This approach should be explored more systematically within the 17 
Danube sub-basins. 
Ö Example of project -  “To support the Morava-Thaya Basin initiatives”- The Danube-
Morava-Dyje wetlands are the only trilatera l Ramsar site worldwide. An important 
cooperation project is underway to ensure  the protection of the ‘Donau March-Thaya-
Auen’ wetland leading to the lowering of flood risks in the flooding areas and to the 
improvement of water courses channels in urba n areas. It also include the development of 
a platform that would prepare a trilateral m anagement plan and a strategy for promoting 
environmentally benign, soft, quality tourism,  including leisure navigation. Some elements 
of the project are already supported by th e Austria-Slovakia cross border cooperation 
programme (Lead : Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia)  
¾ Action - “To extend the coverage of the Europe an Floods Alert System (EFAS) system to the 
whole Danube river basin, to step up preparedne ss efforts at regional level (including better 
knowledge of each other's national systems)  and to further promot e joint responses to 
natural disasters and to flood events in particular, including early warning systems” -.   A 
number of initiatives already exist in the fiel d of cross-border or transnational emergency 
prevention and response, in addition to the Euro pean Civil Protection Mechanism.  The EFAS 
system is an early warning system for floods, and one of the "basin-wide" measures in the 
current ICPDR's Flood Action Plan.  It will be operational soon. However, there is a need to 
upgrade warning systems and coordinate civil pr otection from local to transnational/European 
levels across the area.   
Ö Example of project -  “To deploy a set of sensors and actuators all along the river and 
network them through the broadba nd infrastructure, allowing  for events surveillance 
and risk prevention” . Wireless identifiable devices and the u tilization of Internet of Things 
Technologies in green related applications and environmental conservation are one of the 
most promising application scenarios for networked and broadband-based modern 
communication networks in the future, and there will be an increased usage of wireless identifiable devices in environmentally frie ndly programmes worldwide. This can be built 
on the experiences of the SENSEI, WISEBED, IoT-A, SmartSantander projects and the IERC – Internet of Things European Research Cluster. The Cluster is also connected to 
similar approaches and projects to Asian c ountries like China and Japan, where due to 
huge national catastrophes and zones with a potential earthquake risk a strong 
implementation practises exists. At the same time two European Internet of Things support 
actions are also concerned to  inform and involve local aut horities and business about the 
potential of a set of sensors and actuators netw ork. While small test environments exist and 
results were achieved in similar mobile devi ces networks, support is needed for a wide 
range deployment and the development of the corresponding computer systems. (Deadline
: 
2013) 
¾ Action - “To strengthen operational cooperation among the emergency response authorities 
in the Danube countries and to improve the in teroperability of the available assets”-  For 
risks that are common to an important number of  countries in the region (i.e. floods), it is 
important to strengthen cross-bo rder cooperation and to ensure th at civil protection authorities 
have a good understanding of each other's systems, available assets and potential gaps, working 
procedures, and that teams can also function smoothly in case of  major emergencies involving 
bilateral, European, or intern ational response. The developmen t and use of common guidelines/ 
procedures for risk mapping and assessment, early warning message and emergency response 
 
  
 
44should also be considered. It is also impor tant to address development of capacity for 
surveillance and response to Public Health Emerge ncies of International concern as well as to 
health threats of cross-border relevance. This issue is one of the requirements under the 
provisions of the new International Regulations (IHR)54. 
Ö Example of project -  “To develop strategies for resilien ce of local communities to natural 
disasters through the existing MONITOR II project currently underway (European 
Territorial Cooperation Programme South-East Europe)”- Management of natural 
hazards constitutes a common challenge in the SEES. Until now, neither hazard mapping nor contingency planning has been transnationally coordinated and defined in a sufficient manner. These gaps will be tackled in MONI TOR II with the development of a common 
methodology and a "Continuous Situation Awaren ess" system, allowing for periodic update 
of hazard maps and contingency plans and t hus making them usable in real-time for 
disaster situations. Stakeholders include th e public, politicians, emergency services and 
experts. (Lead
: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agricu lture, Forestry, Environment and Water 
Management; Deadline : May 2012). 
¾ Action - “To continuously update the existi ng database of accident risk spots (ARS 
Inventory), contaminated sites and sites used  for the storage of dangerous substances” – this 
requires to work with the institutions/organisat ions concerned to reduce the risk to minimum 
levels and should include harmonisation of safety  standards, increased awareness and capacity 
in accident response and joint crisis management. 
¾ Action - “To develop rapid response procedures an d plans in case of industrial accidental 
river pollution”- this should include the strengthening of the existing early warning system 
Danube AEWS, the availability of intervention- specific equipment such as spill-sorb, floating 
dams, etc, the harmonisation of contingency planni ng and the promotion of joint exercises.  All 
this should be based on the inform ation already collected by ICPDR55 which should be further 
expanded to establish the effectiveness of exis ting measures and take action where those prove 
to be insufficient. The work on this action sha ll be closely linked to the work under the EU 
Civil Protection Mechanism (i.e. in terms of mobilisation of rapid intervention equipment and assets, harmonised contingency planning and response procedures, joint exercises and 
training)
56. 
Ö Example of project -  “To implement a comprehensive transboundary risk management 
project in the Danube Delta” -   Joint responsibility for pr otecting people, the environment 
and the climate before, during and after industria l incidents in the D anube Delta is a vital 
concern. Technology and information transfer into Eastern and South-Eastern European countries should help to substantially reduc e the risk of incide nts and contribute to 
transboundary emergency preparedness. The Ge rman-lead project with Romania, Moldova 
and Ukraine is geared towards establishing transnational incident management, improving 
industrial risk potential prevention, developing har monised safety standards for industrial 
plants and minimising impacts in case of an in cident through joint crisis management. To 
meet these goals, measures are being take n to prepare the introduction of safety 
technologies in these countries, in particular with a view to  the experience gained in this 
field in Germany. (Lead
: Germany and Romania; Deadline : 2013). 
                                                 
54  See: http://www.who.int/ihr/en/  
55  See : http://www.icpdr .org/icpdr-pages/accide ntal_pollution.htm   
56  See : "Towards a stronger European disaster response : the role of civil pr otection and humanitarian assistance" – 
COM(2010) 600, 26.10.2010. 
 
  
 
45Ö Example of project - “To strengthen operational coope ration between the emergency 
response authorities in the Danube countries and to improve the interoperability of the 
available assets in order to reduce damages, protect citize ns and ensure an appropriate 
response to emergencies”  –To achieve these goals, the project shall include the 
identification of risks of common intere st and characterization of their national 
specificities, inventory/ mapping of  assets available at national  level and identification of 
potential gaps, general and specific traini ng,  development of common interoperable 
working procedures (including for earl y warning messages and response operations), 
exercises (accompanied by lessons learnt meetings).  
¾ Action - “Anticipate regional and local impacts of climate change through research”. 
Initiatives in this research field should a ddress specific concerns in the Danube Region. 
Research projects on the impacts of climate cha nge on infrastructure, health, food security and 
the environment should be initiated.  Furthermore, the international scientific cooper ation in this 
field should be supported, while ensuring close coor dination with overall action at EU level. A 
preparatory action "Climate of the Carpathian Basin" will be la unched before the end of 2010. 
This action will contribute to regional climate variability and change studies, and applied 
climatology. It will also encompass an analysis of the vulnerability of water and ecosystems of 
the region to climate change impacts and ot her man-made pressures and on identifying 
potential adaptation measures, focusing on adap tive water management and ecosystem-based 
approaches. This work should be used at basin level. 
Ö Example of project -  “To foster transnational cooperati on via ICPDR in order to develop 
a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the Danube Region”, including drafting and 
implementation of Political commitment has b een expressed via ICPDR for a full climate 
change adaptation strategy for the Region, to be prepared unde r the leadership of ICPDR.  
This strategy should be based on a step-b y-step approach and encompass an overview of 
relevant research and data collection, a vulnerability assessmen t, and ensure that 
measures related to navigation, agricult ure, energy are climate proof. (Lead : ICPDR; 
Deadline : 2012). 
Ö Example of project - “To draft and implement a Water and Climate Adaptation Plan for 
the Sava River Basin”  - According to the last findings on climate change, the Sava River 
Basin is predicted to experience higher te mperatures and more severe precipitation events 
and droughts. These changes will impact wate r resources management, water supply, 
hydropower, agriculture, navigation and flo od control. Climate impacts will have 
significant consequences on investments in wa ter systems associated with water services 
and managing water. To fill the knowledge ga p on the impact of climate change on water 
sector and to inform decision making se ctor (e.g. governments and other national 
authorities) how to increase the climate resilience of th e critical water management 
infrastructure investments and integrated wa ter resource management, the World Bank has 
initiated the project Wate r and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Sava River Basin 
(WATCAP). (Lead : ISRBC; Deadline : July 2011). 
¾ Action - “To develop spatial planning and constr uction activities in the context of climate 
change and increased threats of floods”. Flood prevention activities imply the cooperation of 
national, regional and local author ities in terms of land-use and physical planning.  Spatial Data 
Infrastructure for the Danube Region needs to  be developed through increased cooperation, 
coordination and data exchange, as required under the INSPIRE Di rective.  Adequate land-use 
needs to be identified and agreed in an integr ated way, and priority actions such as the 
promotion of sound forest and pasture mana gement, the minimising of plough lands on the 
 
  
 
46slopes of hills or the protection of biodiversity and re storation of ecosystems and natural river 
courses need to be taken across the Danube Ba sin area.  Urban and housing development need 
to take account of climate change  factors.  Cities and towns in  the Basin should be encouraged 
to share experience and best practice in this field. 
Ö Example of project - “To evaluate impacts of climate change on the availability and 
safety of public drinking water supply thro ugh the existing CC-WaterS project currently 
underway (European Territorial Cooperati on Programme South-East Europe” - 
Transnational action is needed to prepare S EE for the challenge of ensuring water supply 
for society for several decades. Policy makers and water suppliers are required to develop sustainable management practices for water resources, considering existing and future 
Climate Change influences. In CC-WaterS, SEE governmental bodies, water suppliers and 
research institutions work together and implement jointly developed solutions. The complementary knowledge of the partners, enha nced by further applicable results of past 
projects, will provide a strong background. (Lead
: Vienna City Waterworks, Austria; 
Deadline : April 2012).  
Ö Example of project - “To prepare and implement a Water Pollution Contingency 
Management Plan for the Sava River Basin”  - The project is aimed at efficient provision 
of measures in the case of accidental spills of substances which might affect the use of 
water for different purposes (drinking wa ter, breeding waters, irrigation, industry, 
navigation etc.), as well as the quality of rive rs and aquatic eco-syste m, especially the 
areas of special importance. For the purpos e of efficient and effective management, the 
modelling and information exchange platform w ill be developed by which all responsible 
authorities and institutions will be alerted on the eventual spill of harmful substances, 
follow the development of the situation and co-ordinate a concerted response to it. Watercourses as transport media for accide ntal pollution, with intensive transboundary 
dimension, are directing the proj ect to include all the countries in th e Sava River Basin. 
The project is seeking financing from the European Territorial Cooperation programme 
"South-East Europe". (Lead
: ISRBC; Deadline : 2014). 
 
 
  
 
476) TO PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY , LANDSCAPES AND THE QUALITY OF AIR AND SOILS  
 
Presentation of the issue  
The Danube Region is one interrelated and interd ependent ecosystem, incorporating a rich and 
unique flora and fauna57. It is diverse, including not onl y the immediate river Danube, its 
tributaries, lowlands and the remarkable delta, bu t also the major part of the Carpathian Mountains, 
the Balkans and part of the Alps.  
Nature and ecosystems in the Danube area provid e invaluable environmental goods and services 
(food, fibre and fresh water, regulation of climat e and quantity of wate r in a terr itory, soil 
protection, nutrient recycling, wa ste assimilation). Moreover, di verse landscapes with intact 
wetlands and forests can buffer the effects of clim ate change. They can also absorb some of the 
pollution and waste. This is indispensable for the socioeconomic development and human 
wellbeing. It is thus a key task for society to  care for environmental health. Given value and 
potential fragility of the Danube Region, protection and restoration of  its natural assets, as well as 
building of green infrastruc ture, is a high priority. 
The pollution from contaminated sites or waste dis posal in this region has major impact on water 
quality. In addition, erosion from arable lands is the main source  of the agricultural diffuse 
pollution in the Danube river basin. Th ere are several principles to be  observed in the preservation 
of biodiversity and landscapes.  
To be effective, the environmental measures s hould be planned in connection with the potential 
development e.g. of tourism, construction, energy, transportation and agricultural sectors. Human 
migration, cultural differences, urban / rural deve lopment and regional security should also be 
taken into consideration. The improvement of cu rrent infrastructure effi ciency (energy, household 
consumption, transport) should be examined before new infrastructure is built. Landscape (spatial) 
planning is key to developi ng good local strategies for rural/urban development.  
Compliance with EU environmental legislation is crucial and will clearly improve the environment 
in the EU countri es of the Danube58. The EU acquis , to the extent possible or  at least along similar 
principles, should provide the environmental frame work in the candidate and potentia l candidate 
countries, as well as in other third co untries participating in the Strategy. 
Danube Region specifics  
                                                 
57  The Danube region is home to over 2,000 plant species and over 5,000 animal species. It hosts over half of the 
European populations of bears, wolves and lynx as well as important bird sanctuaries for species like Dalmatian 
pelican. The delta of the Danube River is one of the world’s largest wetlands featuring rare fauna and flora, as well as thirty different types of ecosystems. This rich natural heritage resulted in the creation of 2,860 Natura 
2000 sites in the Danube River Basin (including 230 sites along the Danube itself). In addition, among the eight 
Member States participating in the strategy, two of them (Slovenia, Bulgaria) have the highest terrestrial rate of 
Natura 2000 sites coverage in the whole EU.  
58  In particular, the Water Framework Directive, the Wast e Water Directive, the Habitats and Birds Directives, the 
Waste Framework Directive and the Envi ronmental Impact Assessment Directiv e are key factors in preserving the 
ecosystems.  Moreover, the Marine Fr amework Directive is important for th e Danube Delta and the coastal areas 
of the Black Sea. 
 
  
 
48The natural heritage of the Danube region is of European importance. The region contains a large 
share of Europe’s remaining great wilderness areas, as well as rich cultural landscapes. The 
Danube and its tributaries are vital to the wi ldlife ecosystems and indeed provide ecological 
connections that are essential for ove rall European environmental health. 
This unique natural asset is under growing pressure. The biodiver sity and variety of ecosystems of 
the region are being gradually reduced - species  and living spaces, wetlands and floodplain areas 
disappear. In addition, deforestation, land an d air pollution grow. Rural areas suffer from 
depopulation and land abandonment. 
 Much of this is due to the rapid industry, urba n, transport and agriculture  development and sprawl 
during recent years: natural resour ces are over exploited. The environment infrastructure necessary 
is not yet well developed. Land pollution is worsened by non-compliant municipal landfills and numerous contaminated sites.  The public awarene ss about the ecological needs in the eastern part 
of the region is not sufficient, as well as th e knowledge and use of best available practices. 
Actions
 
Many of the actions to preserve  the biodiversity and landscapes  of the Danube river basin are 
already included in the Joint Programme of M easures of the Danube River Basin Management 
Plan, prepared by ICPDR (see the chapter on water qua lity for details). This Strategy fully supports 
the implementation of these measures, as well as the implementation of other Danube region-related, European and international legally binding environmental initiatives.
59 The actions listed 
below should be perceived as compleme ntary to the already existing ones. 
In addition, when it comes to preserving biodivers ity or maintaining and improving the quality of 
soils and landscapes, coordination should be ensure d between actions fores een at national level. 
Full use should be made of the existing networ king, coordination and cooperation instruments, 
notably those available under the European Agricu ltural Fund for Rural Development such as the 
National Rural Networks and the Europ ean Network for Rural Development. 
Preservation of biodiversity and landscapes” 
¾ Action - “To contribute to the 2050 EU vi sion and 2020 EU target for biodiversity”.  In 2010, 
EU Heads of State and Government at the Spri ng European Council adopted a long-term vision 
and a headline target for European biodive rsity beyond 2010. The European Commission is 
currently developing a strategy outlining the way to achieving the 2020 biodiversity target. 
Actions under the Danube Strategy will fully co ntribute to the implementation of the post-2010 
EU biodiversity strategy to halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem s services' degradation and to 
restore them in so far as feasible.  
¾ Action - “To manage Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas effectively”-  Natura 2000 
sites designated under the Birds and Habitats dire ctives, as well as other protected sites should 
in principle have their own ma nagement plans or some other kind of contractual framework. 
But in practice, they often work in isolat ion and not efficiently enough. The effective 
management helped by transnational cooperation (networking) is necessary.  The action should 
include exchange of experien ce and capacity building for pr otected areas/Natura 2000 sites 
administrations; community involvement; vis itor management and tourism development; 
coordinated management planning, implementation and evaluation. It is also indispensable to 
increase public awareness about Natura 2000 sites a nd protected areas, with the help of e.g. the 
                                                 
59  To be mentioned: Ramsar Convention, Alpine Convention, Carpathian Convention or Convention on long-range 
transboundary air pollution. 
 
  
 
49National Ecological and Rural Networks or the European Network for Rural Development. The 
action could be implemented e.g. through the ex isting Danube Network of  Protected Areas and 
the Carpathian Networks of Protected Areas. ALPARC60  can serve as successful examples.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the Danube Rive r Network of Protected Areas 
(DANUBEPARKS)”. This project, supported by the South East Europe transnational 
cooperation programme, aims at cooper ation, coordination,  consultation and 
strengthening of the links between and compet ences of the national administrations of 
protected areas of Danube countries. Th e links and synergies between DANUBEPARKS 
project and the Bavarian proj ects such as "Green Danube " should be established and 
exploited.  (Lead : Auen Park, Austria. Deadline : 2012)  
Ö Example of project - “To establish fully the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve”  – 
Once established, this could be  Europe’s largest trans-bound ary riverine protected wetland 
area, and a strong candidate for UNESCO-recogni zed site. Promoters of  the project should 
focus on finding support for the reserve among five reverine countries61 (AT, HR, HU, SRB 
and SI) for management of the protected are a, capacity building, public awareness raising 
and promotion as well as s upport for related local developm ent activities, including 
promotion of tourism and local products.  
Ö Example of project - “To provide expertise related to the Danube Delta and similar 
protected areas”.  This initiative would be targeted at staff and experts from the Danube 
Delta and similar protected areas, in orde r to develop knowledge, models and simulation 
processes related to the Danube Delta pheno mena, as well as the Black Sea interface 
phenomena. It would include training activ ities and support doctoral and post-doctoral 
studies.  
¾ Action - “To protect and restore  most valuable ecosystems and endangered animal species”.  
Enhanced protection of the remaining natural ecosystems, such as the Danube Delta or the 
Carpathians, wetlands restoration, afforestatio n of non-arable land, protection of marginal 
forests, bioremediation of highly impacted ar eas, supported by enviro nmental research, are 
desirable. This is also crucial for endangere d animal species protection, such as the Danube 
sturgeon62, brown bears, wolves, lynx and wild hor ses living in the Danube Delta. Research, 
inventory, and monitoring of species and habitats  of European and national importance is an 
important part of this action. C onflicts with humans and illegal trade in wild animals should 
also be addressed.   
Ö Example of project -  “To restore the natural environment, wildlife and vegetation along 
the Danube” - The project should build upon the ex periences gained from the upper-
Danube related projects, such as "Swabian Danube River Valley" or "The Danube's sun-
favoured sides". (Lead : Bavaria) 
Ö Example of project - “To identify and protect old growth forests of the Danube basin”  - 
The Danube region contains Europe’s largest remaining areas of virgin and old growth 
forest outside of Russia. Alt hough they provide a host of ecosystem goods and services, 
many of them have uncertain status and are be ing felled. Activities of the project would 
include identification an d evaluation of current status of old growth forest s in the region; 
                                                 
60  Platform for protected ar eas in the Alpine Region. 
61  So far only Croatia and Hungary have signed a joint declaration to establish the reserve. 
62  Biodiversity issues directly linked to the aquatic ecosy stems are treated in more de tail in the Priority area 3 
 
  
 
50development of measures for preserving them and education and awareness raising as well 
as capacity building.  
Ö Example of project - “To promote the conservation of th e genetic pool and gene bank co-
operation along the Danube” -  The project consists in identifying and studying crop, fruit 
and vegetable species and varie ties typical to the Danube floodplain area s in ex situ gene 
banks and collections as well as  in their original  (in situ) habitats. Furthermore, the 
collection, conservation/maintenance and revi val of traditional agricultural methods 
related to these species and varieties are n eeded. In order to achieve these objectives, 
trans-boundary cooperation is n eeded among the gene banks de aling with the conservation 
and maintenance of plant genetic resour ces for food and agricu ltural purposes.  
¾ Action – "To explore together the appropriate ness of reviewing the Convention Concerning 
Fishing in the Waters of the Danube" .  A Convention on fishing in  the waters of the Danube 
river was signed in 1958 and has been in force since then.  However neither recent geopolitical 
changes in the area nor policy developments rela ted to the protection of the environment or to 
sustainable fishing have been reflected in the Convention.  The parties to the Convention 
should examine this.  
¾ Action - “To develop green infrastructure in  order to connect different bio-geographic 
regions and habitats”.  The habitats (including Natura 2000 sites) can better keep and enhance 
their value, if they are interconnected and this is  the way to ensure that ecosystem services are 
being kept provided. The action could include scientific research to find new ways for 
connecting habitats, consultati ons with relevant communities and stakeholders, careful and 
integrated spatial planning to develop and a pply practices and technologies for economic 
investments and infrastructural development be nefiting biodiversity. Construction of e.g. eco-
bridges, eco-ducts and ecological "stepping stones" should be part of a planning of 
infrastructure building. 
Ö Example of project -  “To complete the Lower Danube Green Corridor” -  This is the 
Europe’s most ambitious wetland protec tion and restoration project, supported by 
Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. Activ ities include enhancing the protected area 
management; preparation and implementation of  wetland restoration, consultations with 
local stakeholders and measures  to reconnect floodplains to the river system; support for 
related local development activities, including development of tourism and local products.  
Ö Example of project -  “To develop the Alpine-Carpathian Corridor” -  This project aims to 
reconstruct and improve the function and perme ability of the traditional wildlife corridor 
within the urban agglomeration Vienna-Bratislava  for red deer, lynx, wolfs or bears by 
means of “traverse support” and green bridge s. A cross border project in cooperation 
between Austria and Slovakia is alre ady in the implementation phase (Lead : Upper 
Austria) 
¾ Action - “To reduce the spread of invasive alien species (IAS)”.  The action would assess the 
impact of IAS on the ecosystems in the Danube  region, identify environmentally friendly ways 
to control their development, promote research to identify ecologically sound ways to keep 
their population under control or eliminate them and raise public awarenes s about the danger of 
IAS.  
¾ Action - “To decrease the input of pesticides  into the environment of the Danube Region”-  
To reduce the contamination of the Danube Region  with pesticides, the countries of the Danube 
 
  
 
51Region should use efficiently the possibilities of the Pesticide Framework Directive (PFD)63 
establishing a framework for Community action to  achieve the sustainable use of pesticides. 
PFD outlines aims and effective ways to reduce both the total amount of used pesticides and 
the toxicity of pesticides. Th e action should especially be fo cused on the development of 
ambitious programs and concepts fo r a reduction of pestic ides in general or in specific areas as 
well as on the initiation of hot spot management or  restrictions for the application of pesticides, 
e.g. by establishing buffer stri ps or compensating areas. 
¾ Action - “To remove safely obsolete pesticides and other obsolete chemicals in the area of  
Danube Region”  and implementing the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Resolution on 
Improvement of health through sound management  of obsolete pesticid es and other obsolete 
chemicals, adopted at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) which  took place in May 2010 
in Geneva. 
¾ Action - “To prepare and implement transnatio nal spatial planning and development policies 
for functional geographical areas (ri ver basins, mountain ranges etc.)”. The conservation of 
ecosystems and natural assets, along with the a ssertion of a sustainable growth perspective 
contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life and employment opportunities for local 
population. The  aim is the development of coordinated spatial planning policies focusing on the 
protection and at the same time sustainable de velopment of the functio nal geographical areas, 
based on its strengths and potential.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the VASICA - Vi sions and Strategies in the 
Carpathian area” , including the BIOREGIO  Carpathians project.  VASICA is the first 
transnational spatial de velopment document for the enti re Carpathian Space. Its main 
objective is to support the Carpathian Space as an area of economic, social and 
environmental progress and sustainability. BIOREGIO Carpathians will promote the 
regional development and improve the ecologi cal connectivity in the Carpathian region. 
(Lead : Carpathian Convention UNEP Office) 
Preservation and improvement  of the quality of soils 
¾ Action - “To ensure appropriate treatment of solid waste”. Integrated waste management 
systems should be established and implemente d on national, regional and local level. The 
development of waste management centres for municipal and non-hazardous waste is needed, 
as well as rehabilitation and closure of incompliant landfills and highly polluted and contaminated sites and wild dumps. The action should also include awar eness-raising about the 
needs of reducing and recycling waste. 
¾ Action - “To create standardised and compatible information on land cover on transnational 
basis”.  Within the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) framework
64, one 
of the main services that will be available is a land monitoring service. However rather limited 
information on land resources is available for the Danube Region. Actions should thus focus on 
the possibilities to collect harmonised land cove r information from national sources and to 
create standardized and compatible inform ation on land cover on transnational basis.  
¾ Action - “To raise awareness about soil protection”. This action could be achieved in 
cooperation with the European Land and Soil  Alliance (ELSA), including more than 100 
                                                 
63  Directive 2009/128/EC 
64  Global Monitoring for Environment and Se curity (GMES) is a joint initiative of the European Commission  and 
European Space Agency , which aims at achieving an autonomous and operational Earth observation capacity. 
 
  
 
52members from 7 Member States65. Further partnerships in the Danube Region should be 
initiated on communal level and in the educational domains66.  
Ö Example of project -  “To implement the strate gy for soil protection” -  Responsible, 
multifunctional use of land and soil and interlinkage s to the regional development, as well 
as new governance tools and the "learning region" concept would be developed. The project should link to the work already undertaken by the Academia Danubiana
67 in this 
field.  
Improvement of air quality 
¾ Action - “To decrease air pollutants ”- All Danube region countries have signed the 
Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. In compliance with this Convention, there is a need to report a bout the level of air pollutants in the region. The action should 
concentrate on data collec tion and reduction measures. 
Ö Example of project -  “To use GIS databases to establish critical loads of air pollutants for 
the Danube region ecosystems” - This project is being developed by the Romanian 
Ministry of Environment and Fore sts. It will determine the cri tical loads, caused by the 
deposits of air pollutant em issions with acidification, eu trophication and ground-level 
ozone formation effects.  
Education of people on the value of natural asse ts, ecosystems and the services they provide  
¾ Action - “To raise awareness of the general public, by acknowledging and promoting the 
potentials of natural assets as drivers of sustainable regional development”.  It would increase 
the perception of preserved nature  as a valuable asset. Promoti on of green, soft and eco-tourism 
is envisaged as a part of this action. 
Ö Example of project -  “To connect people with the Danube”- The objective of the project is 
to increase people's awareness about the Danube benefits and their concern and support 
for the river values. The project would include  a communication campaigns, with elements 
such as a Danube Ship Tour, Danube Exhibiti on Tour, Danube Film, Danube Day event, 
visiting of protected areas on the Danube etc. (Lead
: ICPDR; Deadline : 2014) 
¾ Action - “To educate children and young people”.  Since there is a growing pressure on 
biodiversity and natural resources become scarcer, there is a particular need to educate the young generation. This should cover the services  provided by ecosystems, value of natural 
assets and benefits for conservation of biodivers ity. Part of the action could be devoted to the 
introduction of environmental education into th e educational curricula of the Danube countries. 
Ö Example of action - “To build a network of Danube ‘forest’ schools” - Forest schools are 
proving an educational success e.g. for Hungar ian children and could be further expanded. 
The project would designate the Danube sectio ns possessing particular environmental and 
cultural worth, and  develop various levels of traini ng/programme for primary and 
secondary schools, ecotourism, folk traditions  etc. A series of programmes using the 
                                                
 
65   UK, NL, DE, CH, IT, AT, SK, some municipalities of the CZ 
66  The cooperation could be enhanced via the already existing working group “Ecology with a focus on soil 
protection” operating within the ARGE Donauländer. 
67  Academia Danubiana is an institution that focuses on a scientific and educational network of universities and 
other institutions of the Danube Region. 
 
  
 
53network elements, as well as a pilot project would be  developed, followed by best practice 
presentation.68 (Lead : Hungary; Deadline : 2014) 
¾ Action - “To build capacities of local author ities in the environment-related matters”.  Local 
authorities are primarily respons ible for the implementation of  environment related matters, 
such as waste or protected areas management . Often, they lack knowle dge and capacities to 
develop projects in the environmental area.  U nder this action, the local authorities would be 
provided with training, an expert  group helping regions and citi es resolving problems would be 
established, and networks for exchange of good practices.  
                                                 
68  Synergies should be found with the project "The Danube treasure chest: children and young people experience the 
world's most international river", developed by Naturschutz Bayern e.V 
 
  
 
54C) BUILDING PROSPERITY IN THE DANUBE REGION  
 
  
 
55BUILDING PROSPERITY IN THE DANUBE REGION  
 
This pillar focuses on innovation, information society, competitiveness of enterprises, education, 
labour market and marginalised communities. The ove rall objective is to improve the prosperity of 
the Danube Region. This can be done by improved cooperation in order to reduce the pronounced divide across the Region in many of the fields covered by these actions. Th is cooperation can cover 
legislative improvements, exchange of experi ences and implementation of joint projects. 
It will focus on three Priority Areas: (1) To  develop the knowledge society through research, 
education and information technologies; (2) To s upport the competitiveness of enterprises; and (3) 
To invest in people and skills (education a nd training, labour market and marginalised 
communities). 
This pillar strongly supports  the Europe 2020 Strategy:  
1. It contributes to smart growth as it reinforces all the three topics of th is objective:  innovation 
by improving the framework conditions to transf orm ideas into marketable products or 
services; education by improving the human capita l of the Region; and the digital society by 
improving the access to internet and the availability of e-content. 
2. It contributes to sustainable growth as innovation and new tec hnologies will contribute to 
fighting climate change, to increasing the ener gy efficiency and to reducing the pollution 
from transport. In addition the priority area  on the competitivene ss of enterprises will 
improve the business environment, especially for SMEs. 
3. It contributes to inclusive gr owth as it reinforces the human  capital through education and 
training. This will be complemented by bett er functioning of th e macro-regional labour 
market. It also emphasises the fight against poverty, especially agai nst the marginalised 
communities. 
These priority areas have to be considered with other policy fi elds. The Strategy encourages an 
integrated approach. For exampl e, improving the competitiveness of enterprises has a positive 
impact on the economy and the labour market, bu t must be balanced in relation to the 
attractiveness of cities and region s, the quality of life of citizen s and the environment. All these 
impacts cannot be taken in isolati on, but have to be addressed in a holistic way, to reach the most 
sustainable solution.  
 
      
 
  
 
56Examples of financing covering the Region  
Expenditures budgeted by the Structural Funds69 in 2007-201370 
Research, innovation, entrepreneurship EUR 13.9 b 
 
Innovation in enterprises  EUR 5.1 b 
RTD infrastructures  EUR 2.6 b 
Technology transfer   EUR 1.4 b RTD activities in research centres EUR 0.9 b 
Other    EUR 3.9 b 
Information Society    EUR 3.6 b 
Services and applications  EUR 1.8 b  
Technologies and infrastructures EUR 1.4 b 
Other    EUR 0.4 b 
Human capital    EUR 13.0 b 
Adaptability of workers  EUR 3.0 b  
Access to employment  EUR 3.4 b 
Education and education systems EUR 3.5 b 
Life-long learning  EUR 1.6 b Other     EUR 1.5 b 
Inclusion     EUR 7.6 b 
Social inclusion   EUR 1.6 b  Health infrastructure  EUR 2.2 b 
Education infrastructure  EUR 1.8 b 
Other     EUR 2.0 b 
Other sources of financing  
Other EU programmes contribute to th is pillar, in particular: the 7th Research Framework 
Programme, the Instrument fo r Pre-Accession Assistance (I PA) National, Cross-border 
Cooperation and Multi-beneficiary country progra mmes, several programmes of the European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership In strument (ENPI) (such as th e Regional programmes or the 
Cross-border Cooperation Programmes), the Europ ean Agriculture Fund for Rural Development 
(EAFRD), the European Fisheries Fund (E FF) and the Competitiveness and Innovation 
Programme. National, regional and local policies al so finance important pr ojects. In addition, 
significant financing is already provided to a la rge number of projects via lending and/ or co-
financing from various International and Bilateral Finance Institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank fo r Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the 
World Bank, the Council of Europe Deve lopment Bank (CEB) or other lenders. 
                                                
 
69  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) including cross-border cooperation, Cohesion Fund and European 
Social Fund for the Member Stat es. The Instrument for Pre-Accessi on Assistance and the European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) are not included. 
70  However, the use of Structural Funds depends on the specific operational programmes, developed and agreed 
upon at the beginning of the 2007-2013 programming period in close collaboration between the European 
Commission and the respective Member States/ Regions. Thes e should offer opportunities for funding for specific 
actions/ projects, depending on the priorities and measur ements/ actions identified in the respective operational 
programmes. 
 
  
 
57More recently, for the countries of the Western Ba lkans, additional efforts have been made to 
better coordinate and blend instruments for grants  and loans via the Western Balkans Investment 
Framework71 (WBIF).  A similar instrument to the WBIF, the Neighbourhood Investment Facility 
operates for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. 
 
 
                                                 
71   The Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) is a blending instrument for grants and loans for candidate 
countries and potential candidates. 
 
  
 
587) TO DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY THROUGH RESEARCH , EDUCATION AND 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES  
 
Presentation of the issue  
A society's ability to create a nd exploit knowledge is a key fact or for progress  and growth. A 
society based on knowledge needs competitive resear ch and education infrastructure, innovation 
supporting and facilitating inst itutions, and high performing information and communication 
technologies. These framework conditions differ remarkably throughout the Danube Region but remain, overall, below the level of EU27. Here, th e European Social Fund (ESF) could be more 
widely used to support actions and projects. 
The European Innovation Progress Report classifies some countri es in the Region as "innovation 
leaders", but others only as " catching up innovators". In terms of  tertiary education quality and 
competitive standing within the globalised educa tional environment, a similar divide can be 
observed. Studies on researchers’ mobility (student s, graduates and higher education staff) show 
south-east European countries at  a disadvantage compared to othe r EU countries, es pecially in  
international research mobility, as well as in the ability to at tract bilateral R&D cooperation. 
However, even though diverse, the Region is also  linked through long standing and intensive trade 
links and shared historical and political deve lopments, which provide a good basis for cooperation. 
The application of information and communication technology may particular ly advance growth in 
the Danube Region. There is an opp ortunity to modernise quickly, using cutting edge technology 
and by-passing intermediate steps. The privat e and public sectors coul d progress rapidly, to 
provide services more effectively and efficien tly, for example through e-government, e-business, 
e-education and e-health, or th rough intelligent co-modal use of tr ansport infrastructure supported 
by technologies such as river information servi ce systems or e-freight. There could be much 
improved information and knowledge exchange be tween business, academia, administration and 
citizens. Acknowledging this, the Europe 2020 strategy therefore stresses the importance of 
making full use of information and communication technologies
72 to ensure that innovative ideas 
can be turned into new products and services th at create growth, quality jobs and help address 
European and global societal challenges. Healt hy and Active Ageing ha s been selected by the 
European Commission as the first challenge to be tackled through the European Innovation 
Partnership, introduced by the Innovation Union comm unication on 6 October 201073. However, 
this must be set against the reality that indi cators on information and communication technologies, 
such as internet access by households or broadba nd penetration show low values for parts of the 
Danube Region, underlining the need for inve stment and cooperation in this field.74  
                                                 
72  Participation of citizens and enterprises in the information society depends on easy availability to of Information 
and Communication Technologies. People need access to computers, to good  internet connections and to e-
content / e-services. In the frame of  EU2020, the EU has set the following targets: (1) Everybody should have 
access to broadband by 2013; (2) Everybo dy should have access to high speed in ternet by 2020 (> 30Mbps); and 
(3) > 50% of European households have subscribed to internet connections > 100 Mbps by 2020.  
73  http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/pdf/innovation-union-
communication_en.pdf #view=fit&pagemode=none 
74  In 2009 internet access by households in the European Union (measured as a percentage of the total population) 
was 65% but much lower in the Danube Region (e.g. 30% in Bulgaria and Romania). Regarding broadband, 
whilst fixed broadband penetration was 23 % in the EU (number of fixed broadband lines per 100 inhabitants, 
 
  
 
59Danube region specifics  
Given the polarisation within the Danube Regi on concerning innovation and ICT indicators, 
diffusion mechanisms as well as targeted support fo r research infrastructure should be promoted. 
To stimulate excellence in research and deve lopment, cooperation between knowledge providers, 
companies and the public sector should be e nhanced and incentives for stronger cooperation 
developed. A better coordination of national and regional funds is ne eded to stimulate research and 
development in the Region and to benefit full y from the European Research Area. Existing 
bilateral agreements should be  used and improved through mu ltilateral coordination. Such 
cooperation could either be driven by geographic pr oximity or by fields of  excellence. Cooperation 
should build on already existing structures , such as the Danube Rectors conference75 and should 
draw on experiences developed for sub-re gions, such as the SEE-ERA net plus76 research 
programme. 
Actions  
The actions proposed here are in line with s everal pillars of the Digital Agenda for Europe, 
especially pillars n°4 on ’Fast and ultra fast In ternet access’, n°5 on ’Research and Innovation’, 
n°6 ’Digital literacy, skil ls and inclusion’ and n°7 on ’Information and Communication 
Technologies - enabled benefits for the EU society’.  
¾ Action - “To cooperate in implementing th e flagship initiative “Innovation Union77 of the 
Europe 2020 Strategy” in the Danube Region countries” and ultimately, monitor the process 
in reaching the targets of Europe 2020 with rega rd to R&D, innovation, entrepreneurship and 
education. 
Ö Example of project - “To establish a peer-review mechanism of regional smart 
specialisation strategies”78, in order to enhance regiona l co-operation and to avoid 
overlaps and dispersion of policy effort s and financial resources. Experts of Danube 
Region research and development/ educational institutions and policy-makers from Danube Region administrations could take part to  the review. The issue of the “critical 
mass”, one of the core points of smart specialisation, could be assessed, where 
appropriate, at the Danube Region level. (Lead
: proposed by Joint Research Centre).  
¾ Action - “To coordinate better national, regional and EU funds to stimulate excellence in 
research and development, in research  areas specific for the Danube Region”.  Innovation 
policies, instruments and funding program mes should foster excellence and smart 
specialisation, i.e. focus on key challenges of  the Danube Region and develop key research 
strengths in areas important for the long term competitive development of the Region. Best use 
should be made of existing natio nal, regional and EU programme s, such as Structural Funds 
                                                                                                                                                                
including both households and enterprises), it was much lower in the countries of the Danube Region (e.g. for 
Bulgaria and Slovakia it was 11% and for Romania 12%).  
75  The Danube Rectors Conference (comprises 51 member  institutions from 13 count ries, which however lacks 
common resources, both financially and institutionally).  
76  SEE-ERA-Net plus is a networking project aimed at integrating EU member states and Southeast European 
countries in the European Research Area by linking res earch activities within existing national, bilateral and 
regional RTD programmes. ( http://plus.see-era.net/start.html )  
77 The "Innovation Union" – turning ideas into jobs, green growth and social progress 
(http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleases Action.do?reference=IP/10/1288&f ormat=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&
guiLanguage=en ) 
78  Communication from the European Commission on Regional Policy contributing to smart growth in Europe 2020 
(http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ sources/docoffic/official/communic/ smart_growth/comm2010_553_en.pdf) 
 
  
 
60programmes, Rural Development Funds, the 7th R&D Framework Programme, the 
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme a nd the Strategic Energy Technology Plan. 
Coordination is needed with initiatives in  candidate countries and potential candidates.  
Ö Example of project - “To create a Danube research area through coordination of funds”. 
The project will draw its funds from existing national and regional research funds to create 
a Danube Research Area. Already existing initia tives, such as SEE-ERA- net plus will serve 
as good examples. The project commonly identifies research areas79 of particular 
relevance for the Danube Region and develops calls for projects. The project will furthermore identify regional centres of excelle nce. Particular emphasis will be given to 
raising the institutional capacity and research capacity of potential research partners in 
Member States and Non Member States. The work will build upon and  make best use of 
already existing initiatives and institutions.
80 (Lead : proposed by DG Research, Hungary). 
¾ Action - “To strengthen the capaciti es of research infrastructure”.  The aim is to upgrade 
regional innovation systems throughout the Regi on, to reinforce the cap acity of research 
infrastructure and to link bett er existing science foundations in order to improve innovation 
conditions. Where competitive research infrastruct ure is lacking, new infr astructure should be 
established. Existing EU and national programmes and initiatives in the Region should be used 
as a basis.  
Ö Example of project - “To establish joint internationa l research centres for advanced 
studies” . Centres will attract world class scientists  and provide research infrastructures in 
areas where this is missing. A pilot project is  proposed by Romania on a research centre 
focusing on research topics rela ted to the Danube river. (Lead : Romania).  
¾ Action - “To strengthen cooperation among uni versities and research facilities and to 
upgrade research and education outcomes by focusing on unique selling points”.  
Universities and research in stitutes in the Danube Region should engage in stronger 
cooperation in various fields, such as analysi ng existing education and research programmes in 
the Region and developing joint programmes of common interest, mobility schemes for students and researchers, common research proj ects, exchange of best practices (e.g. in 
implementing the Bologna process), or developi ng innovative education programmes for target 
groups new to universities (e.g. life long lear ning programmes for older citizens). Future 
cooperation should build on exis ting programmes, such as the EU programmes Erasmus and 
Erasmus Mundus, Leonardo da Vinci or the Jean  Monnet Programme and make best use of 
existing structures like the Danube Rector's Conference.
81 
Ö Example of project - “To promote the exchange of studen ts and scientists in the Danube 
Region”. The project BAYHOST82 promotes, identifies and c oordinates the exchange of 
                                                 
79  Areas with key research interest in the Danube Region could include, among others, sustainable transport 
solutions, risk prevention and risk management, water, climate change, forestry or eco-efficient and renewable energy, green technologies or ICT. 
80  Existing FP7 activities such as ERA-WIDE, WBC steering platform, Marie Curie Fellowships, IRSES or Euraxess 
Service Centres.  Activities should also build upon capaci ty building programmes like "Regions of Knowledge & 
Research Potential" and their related cluster networks, e.g. the "Food Cluster Initiative" . Initiatives under the 
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistan ce to strengthen research capacities in candidate countries and potential 
candidates should be used where appropriate.  
81  Example of existing institutions and initiatives: the Danube Rectors Conference, linking universities in the 
Danube Region ( www.d-r-c.org ), the Rectors Conference of the Alps-A driatic Universities, the Regional Network 
for Central and South-East Europe of the Association of  European Life Science Universities (ICA – CASEE), or 
the Salzburg Group. 
82  BAYHOST stands for Bavarian Academic Centre for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.  
 
  
 
61students and scientists in Central, Easter n and South-Eastern Europe through scholarship 
programmes and projects. Furthermore, the BAY HOST Danube Forum is dedicated to the 
exchange between the career services in the countries of the Danube Region, exchanging best practices and success stories. (Lead
: Bavaria) 
Ö Example of project - “To emphasise Danube Region specifics in the curricula of 
university programmes”. A pilot project is being proposed by the Andrassy University 
Budapest.83 A specific added value may lie in the development of study joint programmes 
with other universities of th e Region, on topics of particula r Danube Region relevance. EU 
programmes such as TEMPUS or Jean Monnet should be used.  (Lead : Andrassy University 
Budapest) 
¾ Action - “To develop and implement strategies to improve the provision and uptake of 
Information and Communication Technologies in the Danube Region”.  Special emphasis 
should be given to improve the coverage and pe netration of broadband in rural areas. Certain 
parts of society are in particul ar need for targeted  ICT policies, such as groups with a low 
uptake, those excluded from access or others with  particular training needs. Considering that 
more that 30% of Europeans do not  use the internet at all or no t regularly, Europe 2020 and the 
European Digital Agenda identify di gital literacy as a key priority.84  
Ö Example of project - “To build upon the existing proj ects to promote the Information 
Society in lagging or in rural areas85”. This could be done by encouraging stakeholders of 
the Danube Region to join existing EU projects86.  
Ö Example of project - “To build upon the existing proj ects to promote the Information 
Society for SMEs87”. This could be done by encouragi ng stakeholders of the Danube 
Region to join or build upon existing EU projects88.  
Ö Example of project - “To provide ICT based training for the general public, especially for 
prioritized target groups such as low-income, elderly or disabled”. The e-Hungary Public 
Internet Access Points, setting the frame for several projects, could serve as an example. 
Among others, the programme e-Consultants, pr ovides educational ICT training and thus 
fosters the digital competences of the general public. (Lead : Hungary)  
¾ Action - “To draw up internet strategies”.  These strategies would address issues such as the 
availability of internet access, the freedom of  expression on the web, and the protection of 
critical infrastructures. 
                                                 
83  The German speaking Andrassy University in Budape st features a Danube Institute (www.andrassyuni.hu). 
84  In particular excluded groups to  be targeted include the low-income, low-education, elderly, disabled, 
marginalised youngsters, migrants and other groups, such as the Roma. 
85  The CADSES programme (INTERREG IIIB) has financed two important projects in this fields: TELEACCESS 
(creation of telecenters to support access to the Information Society in ru ral areas) and EMBRACE (network of 
SMEs providing tools to their memb ers such as e-co mmerce facilities). 
86  In particular, the Competitiveness and Innovation Progra mme foresees the possibility to have partners joining an 
existing project. 
87  The CADSES programme (INTERREG IIIB) has financed two important projects in this fields: EMBRACE 
(network of SMEs providing tools to their members such as e-commerce facilities) and ELISA (e-learning 
platform for SMEs). Also, the CIP-ICT Policy Support Programme is supporting the RFID-ROI-SME project 
which aims at raising awareness of European SMEs on the po tential of RFID to foster their integration into global 
competition while enhancing their productivity. 
88  In particular, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, PROGRESS and LLL foresee the possibility to 
have partners joining an existing project. 
 
  
 
62¾ Action - “To use e-content and e-services to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 
public and private services”.  Information and Communication T echnologies in general, and 
more specifically e-government, e-education, e-cu lture, e-health, e-business and e-inclusion,  
addressing active and healthy agi ng as well as independent livi ng, can make public services 
faster, more effective, more efficient and more  accessible thus saving resources on the side of 
the provider and user. Emphasis needs to be put on the availability of technical infrastructure such as broadband and technical equipment, on capacity building and on the exchange of best practices regarding the design and implementati on of e-content, e.g. through Information and 
Communication Technologies Competence Centres’  at national and regional level. Best use 
should be made of EU Funds (Structura l Funds or the EU Recovery package
89, European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). In particular, satellite co mmunications could be 
used in dispersed remote regions thanks to  the ‘Galileo Advanced Innovation Services 
(GAINS)’90 project. There should also be better s ynergies between the building of energy, 
transport and telecom networks, in order to  reduce the cost of broadband installation.   
Ö Example of project -  “To increase the use of electroni c signatures/ e-identification for e-
commerce and e-administration”  in cooperation with authoritie s in the Danube Region, in 
line with the November 2008 Action Plan on e-signatures and e-authentication91. This also 
aims to ensure that electronic signature and authentication applications are interoperable 
across borders, following the Large Scale Pilo t project STORK where many of the regions 
Member states are partners92. It should enable a cost-eff ective and a more expedient 
conduct in the provision of pub lic services across the regio n. Experiences of the project 
S.A.F.E could be useful, especially w ith regard to the implementation phase.93(Lead : 
proposed by Slovenia) 
Ö Example of project - “To promote the availability of e- Government services across the 
region”. This can act as a catalyst for the development of the w hole region via e.g. projects 
designed to promote and facilitate cross-bor der e-Procurement such as the PEPPOL (Pan-
European Public Procurement On-Line) project.94 An overall vision for this project can be 
obtained through the Ministeria l Declaration on e-Government95 and the forthcoming EU 
e-Government Action Plan. (Lead : proposed by Slovenia, Baden Württemberg) 
Ö Example of project - “To promote the availability of  e-Health services across the 
Region”.  The Danube Region should aim at replic ating and scaling up the preliminary 
results of the Large Sc ale Pilot project epSOS96 aiming at developing, testing and 
validating interoperability of patient su mmaries and e-prescription across national 
                                                 
89  The EU Recovery package has earmarked around EUR 360 m for the development of broadband communications 
in rural areas (for EU-27). This package is aimed to boost broadband coverage to 100% throughout the Union by 2010 or 2013 at the latest.  
90  ‘Galileo Advanced Innovation Services (G AINS)’ is a project (co-financed by the 7th EU Research Framework 
Programme) that aims to implement an “innovation highway” as a seamless process of coordinated Galileo downstream application innovation services, in the three main phases: idea recognition, product and services 
development, and new ventures creation. 
91  COM(2008) 798, 28.11.2008 
92  www.eid-stork.eu  
93  S.A.F.E. - Secure Access to Federated E-Justice/E-Government 
94  www.peppol.eu  
95  November 2009, http://www.egov2009.se/wp-content/uploads/M inisterial-Declaration-on-eGovernment.pdf  
96  www.epsos.eu  
 
  
 
63borders, as well as of the Netc@rds project 97 aiming at facilitating access to and 
reimbursement of unplanned heal thcare services received ab road. This would contribute to 
ensuring patient safety, increa se efficiency of healthcare  and support the economy. This 
action would be particularly relevant due to the high touristic nature of the Danube Region 
and the high mobility of citizens in the area (Lead : to proposed by DG Information Society) 
¾ Action - “To stimulate the emergence of innova tive ideas for products an d services and their 
wide validation in the field of the Informatio n Society, using the concept of Living Labs”.  
Through Living Labs, businesses, universities a nd public administration are jointly developing 
new products by involving customers/users from very early stages, including design. Openness 
to new research and market developments in a public and people oriented approach could be 
targeted initially at parts of the Region with si milar needs or characteristics, and later employed 
more widely as appropriate. 
Ö Example of project - “To promote innovation and busi ness' success in new markets”.  The 
project aims to foster and support the deve lopment of a more widespread innovation 
culture in and for new markets, including the initiatives to stimulate the creation of new 
markets, the diffusion of new technologies, enhancement of intellectual property protection 
and standards and impact assessments of new legislative or regulatory proposals on 
innovation.  
 
                                                 
97  www.netcards -project.com  
 
  
 
648) TO SUPPORT THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES , INCLUDING CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT  
 
Presentation of the issue  
Some of the top-performing regions in Europe can be found in this macro-region, but others 
considerably lag behind. The leading regions  exhibit strong and we ll established innovation 
support systems, while in other regions instituti ons and framework conditi ons are lacking, are only 
newly established or reformed. Ag riculture, rural and traditional enterprises have a strong base and 
presence standing to benefit from technological a nd organisational modernisation. To draw the full 
benefits from the Region's growth potential and to support the competitiveness of sectors, framework conditions need to be improved and ma de more coherent. There are many possibilities 
to achieve this.  
Long term, transnational cooperation networ ks between innovation and business supporting 
institutions need to be developed for the different sectors, also utilising th e opportunities within the 
framework of the European Research Area (ERA).  The development of cl usters and centres of 
excellence should be fostered and cluster coopera tion across borders and across sectors should be 
facilitated. Links to education and research pol icy should be established. Existing cluster mapping 
studies conducted in the Region and through Eur opean initiatives should be exploited and built 
on.
98 To improve the conditions for enterprises, es pecially SMEs, the institutional capacities of 
business support agencies and indus try associations should be stre ngthened throughout the Region.  
The Danube Region also has great potential to advance towards the completion of the Single 
Market. Due to the most recent EU enlargement pr ocesses, implementation gaps, especially related 
to the service industry, tax competition and migra tion flows still exist. The existing trade links 
among companies in the Danube Region however sugge st a large potential fo r future growth and 
economic integration, if barriers for doing busin ess across borders could be brought down and 
existing rules could be simplified.99 Furthermore, transport bottlen ecks in the region (hampering 
regional and even more international m obility and trade) need to be removed. 
Danube region specifics  
For the Danube Region, being composed of different  countries and innovation milieus of different 
levels of maturity, it is  crucial to strengthen transnational co -operation. This has to happen both at 
the policy and business level, t hus achieving higher regional c oherence and sustainable economic 
growth. Greatest added value will be achieved if priority is give n to sectors where the Region has 
existing strengths.  
Actions  
¾ Action - “To foster cooperation and exchange  of knowledge between SMEs, academia and 
the public sector in areas of competence in the Danube Region”. This can be achieved 
through developing clusters, thr ough the construction of new a nd the use of existing technology 
parks and through linking of existing networks. Cooperation should be fostered in areas where 
there is particular knowledge in the Danube Region. Cooperation and knowledge exchange on 
                                                 
98  European Cluster Observatory; C EE-ClusterNetwork for Central and Eastern Europe; European Cluster Policy 
Group 
99  European Innovation Scoreboard 2009/ Socio Economic Analysis for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region 
 
  
 
65smart specialisation strategies co uld steer specialisation choices to make them consistent with 
the development perspectives of the whole Danube Region100. Emphasis should be laid 
specifically on actions supporting the internat ionalisation of SMEs and facilitating 
interdisciplinary cooperation. Existing initiativ e like the European Cluster Observatory, the 
European Cluster Excellence Initiative, the Science and Industry Network, the CEE-
ClusterNetwork, or the project ACCESS shoul d be used as bases on which to build. 
Ö Example of project - “To develop a Danube Region programme for clusters and SME-
networks”.  The objective is to foster cluster development and transnational cluster 
collaboration including innovation systems an d SME networks in order to strengthen 
economic growth. As a first step the project should roll out the support instruments of the 
European Cluster Excellence Initiative101 into the Danube Region area, notably the 
training scheme for cluster organisations, the quality indicators and benchmarking scheme 
on cluster management and the online Eu ropean Cluster Collaboration Platform102. 
Secondly the project should foster cluster c ooperation and joint cluster branding in the 
Danube Region. To this end, the project can ta ke use of the Europe an Cluster Managers’ 
Club by setting up a decentralised pl atform in the Danube Region. (Lead : DG Enterprise 
and Industry).   
Ö Example of project - “To facilitate the transfer of creative knowledge in the Danube 
Region”.  This can be achieved through the cons truction of new design centres, including 
craft design, that aim at supporting local or  regional industries in  all sectors on the 
development of new products and services. Furt hermore, new forms of innovation support, 
such as innovation vouchers, could be consider ed that facilitate knowledge transfer from 
creative services to traditional businesses." (Lead : DG Enterprise and Industry).   
Ö Example of project - “To promote services innovation in the Danube Region”.  The 
project has three main objecti ves: (a) to collect high quality statistical data from Danube 
Region countries to analyse the current stat us and potential of innovation in knowledge-
intensive services; (b) to id entify the scope and objectives for trans- national cooperation 
between clusters operating in the service sub-se ctors such as ICT, creative industries and 
the cultural sector in general, eco/green-inno vation, mobility industrie s, tourism, transport 
and energy; (c) to harmonize small-scale national and regional f unding for cooperative 
innovation projects; (d) to improve the fram ework conditions needed to support cluster 
cooperation in the domain of services in a su stainable way, as well as to facilitate the 
internationalisation of high growth service busin esses. This work will liaise with relevant 
existing initiatives, like EU INNO-Net project funded under the PRO INNO Europe 
initiative for the period 2009-2012. (Lead : DG Enterprise and Industry).   
Ö Example of project - “To utilise better the performing, heri tage and cultural assets of the 
Region by developing strengths in the crea tive, cultural, entertainment and tourism 
industries”.  Where possible this proj ect should focus on existi ng initiatives on local and 
EU level and should foster the cooperation between them. Strong potential in enhanced cooperation can for example be found in th e media industries (TV, radio, movies) in 
festivals, popular music and sports.  
                                                
 
100  Smart specialisation strategies are aimed at maximisi ng the impact of Regional Po licy programmes for reaching 
the goals set in the Europe 2020 Strategy, as laid out in the Commission Communication “Regional Policy 
contributing to smart growth in Europe 2020”. 
 ( http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ sources/docoffic/official/communi c/smart_growth/comm2010_553_en.pdf ) 
101  See more at www.cluster-excellence.eu  
102  See more at www.cluster-excellen ce.eu/collaboration  
 
  
 
66Ö Example of project - “To establish a Danube Region network for innovative 
environmental technologies” in order to foster the development of an attractive, 
competitive and sustainable infrastructure in the Danube region.  The network links 
companies, research facilities, regional and local authorities and aims at implementing 
innovative environmental technologies in th e Danube Region, such as state-of-the-art 
waste and sewage treatment facilities, innovat ive (primarily renewable energy and high 
efficiency) energy systems and air and wa ter purification technologies. Existing 
cooperation in the Danube region could be  integrated as part of the Danube Region 
network. (Lead : Germany/ Baden Württemberg) 
Ö Example of project - “To support the implementation of eco-efficient production 
processes in SMEs”. The project "actclean" supports SME in increasing their 
environmental performance, reducing costs and increasing sales through consulting, matchmaking and exchange of knowledge. Prom oting environmental technologies and 
management systems by connecting dem and and supply will provide SMEs with 
technological and managerial know-how on one side and it facilitates the marketing of 
already existing solutions  on the other. (Lead
: Federal Environment Agency and Federal 
Ministry for the Environment Germany) 
¾ Action - “To improve business support to streng then the capacities of SMEs for cooperation 
and trade”.  The cooperation should link relevant business support agencies, cluster 
organisations, chambers of comm erce or industry associations in  the Danube Region to develop 
business support services related to cross border R&D co operation, trade and 
internationalisation.103 A key element of the cooperation s hould be the strengthening of the 
institutional capacity of the involved busine ss support agencies through  targeted support and 
the exchange of experiences and best practice. Be st use should be made of existing forums and 
institutions, like the Enterprise Europe Network or  already established netw orks of chambers of 
commerce, such as the Danube Chambers of  Commerce Association. Where possible and 
appropriate, the special situation of SMEs in candidate countrie s regarding financing should be 
considered.  
Ö Example of project - “To hold annual business forums bringing together Danube Region 
businesses, governments, regional  organisations and the academia”.  The aim is to 
enhance cooperation and business opportunities for SMEs in the Danube  Region within the 
private sector, but also with academia and  the public sector, to stimulate growth, 
innovation and competitiveness in the Danube Region. Existing initiatives upon which to 
build include those of Chambers of Commerce, the Central Europe Initiative, Enterprise 
Europe Network or the Vienna Economic Foru m. Where appropriate, best practices could 
be exchanged with e.g. the Baltic Development Forum. (Lead : Austrian Chamber of 
Commerce, IEDC-Bled School of Management) 
Ö Example of project - “To strengthen Danube Region entrepreneurs and SMEs”.  This 
project develops in a coherent manner the opportunities and challe nges for SMEs doing 
business and research in the Danube Regi on. It coordinates work of chambers of 
commerce, industry associations, cluster organisations and government agencies to 
identify the specific needs of (potential ) growth sectors and or sectors of key 
competence.104 In particular, it identifies and im plements innovative approaches to 
                                                 
103  Such services could relate to information and advice on EU  legislation, language training, consultancy services for 
R&D cooperation, joint business trips in the Region, cooperation/ network meetings. 
104  Such areas of strengths include mechanical engineer ing, mechatronics, eco-energy,  environmental technology, 
environmentally-friendly mobility, plastic s technology, material technology, health, life science, ICT, creative 
industry, food and biotechnology. 
 
  
 
67knowledge transfer from universities and resear ch institutes to busin esses, especially 
SMEs.105 It makes best use of exis ting initiatives such as the South East European Centre 
for Entrepreneurial Learning – SEECEL106.  
¾ Action - “To support enterprises through high performing training and qualification 
schemes”.  The shortage of skilled workers and the high unemployment of unskilled workers in 
the Region has implications on the competitiveness of enterprises and can be addressed by improving the qualification schemes in the Da nube countries thus raising the overall 
qualification levels and opportun ities of the labour force. Th rough closer cooperation of 
relevant labour market institutions and chambers of commerce, existing best practices could be exchanged thus supporting the "European Qua lifications Framework". Support instruments 
should be developed for enterprises engaged in increasing the capacity and productivity of their 
workforce. Full use should be made of existing institutions and bodies in the Region.
107   
Ö Example of project - “To develop joint programmes for professional education and 
vocational training together with enterprises”  with the aim to impr ove the efficiency of 
training and qualificatio n programmes in the Region. This c ould bring together the private 
sector, public administration in the fields of  education and labour market, and civil society 
such as chambers of commerce to develop and coordinate professional and language training programmes, coordinate curricula and exchange of guest l ecturers and students. 
Furthermore the need for new pilot training ce ntres should be analyse d. The creation of a 
centre for professional education in the electro-technical industry in Bratislava is proposed 
as an example. (Lead
: Slovakia; Danube Chambers of Commerce Association). 
¾ Action - “To prioritise the effective implemen tation of measures provided for under the 
Small Business Act for Europe108”. Administrative simplification for starting a business, for 
obtaining business licenses or for filing for bankruptcy should be improved. Emphasis should 
also be given to secure access to capital for SMEs  by promoting existing and where appropriate 
introducing new and innovative  financing instruments for the Region, particularly for 
enterprises in the start up phase.109 Existing EU financial instruments should be used in the 
most effective way in order to secure finan ce to SMEs where current market conditions are 
difficult.110 Best practice examples of one-stop-sh ops should be exchanged and implemented. 
To help SMEs wishing to set up trade in the Western Balkans, existing business support centres 
in the Region should be used, cooperation betw een them reinforced, and services extended.  
¾ Action - “To improve the competitiveness of rura l areas and in particular  of the agricultural 
sector” by facilitating rural entrepreneurship, supporting innovation and cooperation in the 
                                                 
105  Existing institutions and networks, such as the Southeast Europe Management Forum Bled – Kopaonik should be 
best used.   
106  With regard to Third Countries, coordination with the European Training Foundation, the initiatives of OECD and 
Regional Competitiveness Initiative for the Western Balkans should be facilitated.  
107  Coordination should also be sought with the European Training Foundation, which contributes to the development 
of the education and training systems of the EU partner countries.  
108  Small Business Act for Europe: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/small-business-act/  
109  Examples could involve cross-border venture capital funds, cross-border guarantee schemes or cross border small 
grant funds that would make it possible to exploit economies of scale and scope when investing in SMEs or 
guaranteeing their lending. 
110  Among others, existing EU programmes with the possib ility to address SME financing are: Competitiveness and 
Innovation Programme (CIP), Framework Programmes, Stru ctural Funds, the JASMINE initiative, the European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and IPA-multi beneficiary programmes. Furthermore, the "Practical 
Guide" for potential beneficiaries of CIP and Framework Programmes should be promoted: 
http://cordis.europa.eu/eu-funding-guide/home_en.html  
 
  
 
68agricultural industry and supporting the divers ification of rural economies, including the 
exploitation of mobility industries. This can be achieved through training and education 
programmes, enhanced cooperation in producti on, distribution and marketing e.g. through 
clusters, and through jointly developing and impl ementing best practices in agricultural product 
quality. Mutual exchange of good practices by co mpetent authorities, food business operators 
and farmers along the entire f ood chain should be fostered and close cooperation with the 
European Food Safety Authority should be sought. In this respect, best use should be made of 
the training initiative "Bette r Training for Safer Food" fo r Member States and third 
countries.111 Urban rural links and the po tential of IT to facilitate relocation of formerly 
predominantly urban enterprises, jobs and activ ities should be fully exploited. Full use should 
be made of funding available in the European  Agricultural Fund for Rural Development via 
national support programmes and trans-na tional cooperation (Leader approach).   
Ö Example of project - “To support the development of fish eries areas with the involvement 
of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS)”  for promoting diversi fication of economic 
activities and creating new employment opport unities in fisheries areas. FLAGS are 
tripartite partenerial structur es (economic actor, local au thorities and ci vil society), 
covering both rural and small urban communities with a high percentage of economic activities related to fisheries. They are aff ected by the scarce av ailability of fishing 
resources, water pollution or limited economic efficiency of these economic activities. 
Funding under the European Fisheries Fund is  available for the implementation of 
integrated sustainable local development in fis heries areas aimed at  valorisation of the 
artistic and cultural patrim ony, promoting innovation, diversification of economic 
activities especially (eco)tourism, traditiona l crafts and bringing value added to fisheries 
products, at the same time with th e protection of natural habitats. 
¾ Action - “To eliminate cross border barriers and bottlenecks to people and business - 
Seamless Europe for a livable Danube Region.”
112 Specific attention is needed where 
implementation gaps in the Single Market still ex ist, such as those related to services, tax 
competition and migration flows. Activities s hould build upon well established instruments, 
such as SOLVIT-centres, which can help citizens and businesses to make use of their EU rights 
to move and do business across border. Where a ppropriate, attention shoul d also be given to 
physical infrastructure to facilitate th e free movement of goods and people.  
¾ Action - “To improve framework conditions for SMEs in areas where competitive 
infrastructure is missing”. This could be done through the cons truction of joined or networked 
industrial and technol ogical parks, as well as  transportation, logistics and exhibition centres. A 
specific focus should be put on rural and border regions, where competitive infrastructure for 
SME is often weakly developed or missing. 
 
                                                 
111  Better Training for Safer Food Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/food/training_strategy/index_en.htm  
112  Initiatives to incorporate candidate countries and potential candidates into the European Single Market should be 
could furthermore contribute to this action. Countries of the Central European Free  Trade Agreement (CEFTA), 
which are addressing these issues be tween the candidate countries and pote ntial candidates, may consider to 
contribute to this Action. 
 
  
 
699) TO INVEST IN PEOPLE AND SKILLS  
 
Presentation of the issue  
By investing in people and making best use of its human capital, the Danube Region can progress 
and grow in a smart and inclusive way. To arrive  at a knowledge based a nd inclusive growth it 
requires empowering people through high levels of employment, investing in skills, fighting 
poverty and modernising labour markets, tr aining and social protection systems.  
Making best use of its human capital, the Danube  Region can build on several opportunities but 
also needs to address certain challenges113. The Danube Region's population is younger than the 
average of EU 27, although the over all population has started to de cline due to a negative birth 
balance. Indicators on early schoo l leavers are considerably bette r in the Danube Region than in 
EU 27, despite the fact that the share of population with te rtiary education is lower. 
Unemployment is less pronounced in the Danube Region, but less people are in employment and 
the shares of employment in traditional sectors,  such as agriculture, are still high. On the job 
market, mobility of workers needs attention. This is to give people real op portunities to work near 
where they live, and to make well informed choices on mobility that benefit all. Better 
opportunities to live and work clos e to family and place of or igin require be tter local job 
opportunities, also important so that the Region does not suffer brain drai n and its accompanying 
loss of return on skills investme nt. Mobility issues are especi ally in relation to legal and 
administrative factors, linked to social security and the recognition of qualifications. In addition 
indirect obstacles linked to accommodation, language , the employment of partners and spouses 
and the “psychological” obstacles, in  particular the issue of returni ng to the country of origin and 
the lack of recognition of mobilit y, need to be addressed. Work induced migration flows follow an 
east-west pattern, motivated by considerable income dispari ties in the Danube Region, thus 
resulting in brain drain in so me parts and excess supply in ot hers. The opening of German and 
Austrian labour markets to the Czech Republic , Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia may also 
reinforce this development. Mobility of research ers and students, and thus knowledge, is lower in 
most of the Danube Region than in other pa rts of Europe and n eeds special attention.114 
To make use of the full potentia l of the labour force and to fight poverty, the Danube Region's 
labour market also needs to be more inclusiv e. Regarding equal opport unities between men and 
women, inequalities are more pronounced in upper pa rts of the Region than in lower parts. The 
general employment rate for women and men is lower than in EU 27. In addition, a healthy 
population is a critical factor be hind sustainable economic developm ent, and severe disparities in 
health conditions still prevail in the Region. About one thir d of EU's population in risk of poverty 
live here, many of them coming from marginalised  groups, and including 80%  of Roma in Europe. 
Apart from poverty, Roma communities especially  suffer from social and economic exclusion, 
spatial segregation and sub-standard living c onditions. While their inclusion is many times 
approached only from the point of discrimination, the socio-econom ic aspects and environmental 
consequences of improper living conditions and in frastructure are equall y important. Failing to 
address adequately the Region's ten million Ro ma has implications for the whole EU.  
                                                 
113  Sources: Eurostat, European Innovation Scoreboard 2009, DG Education and Culture, Socio Economic Analysis. 
114  Low levels of inbound mobility of students in large parts of the Region, except for Austria and Germany; High 
levels of outbound mobility in Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Germany and Austria. (EUROSTAT and DG 
Education and Culture) 
 
  
 
70Danube Region specifics  
This analysis calls for actions acr oss a whole range of fields, with  emphasis on more coherence. 
Policies in the fields of education, labour mark et, integration, research  and innovation should be 
mutually reinforcing. Prominence should be give n to capacity building on all levels, whether 
individual, organisational, regiona l, national or macro-regional. It  should include developing key 
competencies and organisational skills, promoti on of innovative partners hips, and governance in 
the regional/ national context. Stronger joint effo rts are needed to enhance performance by shared 
European benchmarks in education and training.  
Stronger cooperation of labour mark et institutions regarding polic ies, measures and information 
exchange is needed. To encourage mutual exch anges of employees, researchers, students and 
practitioners and to reduce one-way migration flows, cooperation between bodies in primary, 
secondary and tertiary education needs to be strengthene d and the mutual recognition of 
professions and diplomas accelerate d. Specific added value lies in th e greater participation of the 
Western Balkan countries and other third countr ies in the Region in existing programmes and 
cooperation structures. Existing cooperation between  Member States and third countries could 
serve as a base. 
There is also much scope in the Danube Region to  work together to fight  the social and economic 
exclusion of marginalised communities, especially  Roma. Funding needs to be targeted. Policies 
need to be developed together based on best intern ational practice. Actions need to be enlightened 
and effective. On the level of gov ernance, it is often at the leve l of ordinary interventions in 
regions and cities that human ri ghts need to be further emphasi sed. Local, regional and national 
authorities have a key role to play  in their day-to-day application. As noted, pa rticular attention has 
to be paid to the situation of the Roma communities115. Projects that open community boundaries 
and bring together Roma and people from other communities are particularly important.  
Actions  
¾ Action - “To enhance performance of educatio n systems through closer cooperation of 
education institutions, systems and policies”. Fostering efficiency, innovation and good 
governance in education and training is cruc ial in the face of the challenges posed by 
globalisation, demographic change s, rapid technological developm ents and increasing pressure 
on public budgets. This should be done in particular  through the exchange of best practices of 
different education and traini ng systems through transnational cooperation, joint development 
of programmes and materials, promotion of research on the economic s of education, peer 
learning, and capacity building, i.e. for evidence -based policy and practice and for facilitating 
the policy learning process, strategy formulati on and policy action. Specif ic added value lies in 
the inclusion of third countries and best use should be ma de of already existing programmes 
and cooperation structures.116  
                                                 
115 Ten basic principles for Roma inclusion have been established in the conclusions of the EU Council on 
Employment, Social policy, Health and Consumers affairs of 8 June 2009. Some of them were used as baseline for the amendment of the ERDF regulation on housing. The amendment will allow explicitly though not exclusively 
to invest in new housing or renovate existing stock in both urban and rural areas if part of an integrated approach – 
coordinating education, housing, employment, and health policies. It is also important to develop linkages with, and reinforce actions undertaken as part of the Roma Decade (2005-2015). 
116 The main aim is to reinforce the European Area of  Education (EAE) thus contributing to the success and 
sustainability of the EU integration process. Country sp ecific needs and the demands of the EAE according to the 
EU Work Programme "Education and Training 2020" need to be taken into account and follow up. Work should 
build upon already existing bilateral cooperation projects and multilateral initiative. 
 
  
 
71Ö Example of project - “To support sustainable education reforms in the Danube Region”.  
Cooperation platforms for sustainable educ ation reforms can improve educational 
outcomes and the quality of e ducation systems in the Danube Region. Well established 
platforms include CECE117, focusing on mutual learning, capacity building and joint 
projects between EU Member St ates of the Region, and ERI SEE118, focusing in particular 
on capacity building and know- how transfer between EU Member States and non Member 
States and acting as an interface to deve lopments in relevant EU, European and 
international initiatives in education. Both projects take into account the strategic 
framework for European cooperation in  education and training (“ET 2020“).119 (Lead : 
Proposed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture). 
Ö Example of project - “To strengthen the networks of schools in the Danube Region”. The 
Academy of Central European Schools (ACES)120 aims to support the establishment of a 
Central European network of schools in the cu rrently fifteen partner countries. The aim is 
to foster dialogue and cooperation of young pe ople and to create a sustainable network of 
shared knowledge, mutual learning and innov ation. Best practices should be exchanged 
with other ongoing internati onal school partnerships, such as the project PASCH121 (Lead : 
Proposed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture). 
¾ Action - “To foster cooperation between key stakeholders of labour market, education and 
research policies in order to devel op learning regions and environments”. To increase 
innovative capacities of the labour force in th e Danube Region, new forms of partnerships and 
cooperation among key stakeholders (labour ma rket, education and training, research and 
employers) need to be further developed. Empl oyers (private, public and voluntary) have an 
important role to play in identifying the knowle dge, skills and competences needed in working 
life. To increase the employability and entreprene urial potential of all learners, communication 
and active cooperation should be further develope d between education and training institutions 
on the one hand and employers on the other.   
Ö Example of project - “To reinforce the Danube Region labour market, in the context of 
the EU labour market”.  While national labour markets in the Danube Region are subject 
to different framework conditions, economic ties and worker migration have started to 
dismantle borders between countries and markets. This project aims to build on existing bilateral cooperation projects, enlarging them to the Danube Region. It could emphasise 
mutual recognition of professions and qualific ations, as well as targeted labour market 
policies (women, youth, long-term unemployed, minorities etc.) thus reinforcing a Danube 
Region labour market.  
Ö Example of project - “To develop joint Danube Region  labour market statistic”. To form 
the basis for common labour market strategies the project aims at producing sound 
statistical data on the Danube Region labour  market, including da ta on specific labour 
market demands, workforce flows, drivers and barriers of transnational labour mobility, 
differences in working conditions, dispos able income and social security systems.  Specific 
added value lies in the inclusion of Non-EU Me mber States in this cooperation. Existing 
                                                
 
117  Central European Cooperation in Education: www.bmukk.gv.at/europ a/bibildung/cece.xml  
118  The Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe: www.erisee.org  
119  ET 2020 http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc36_en.htm  
120  http://www.aces.or.at/sta rt.asp?ID=120245&b=829  
121  http://www.pasch-net.de/deindex.htm  
 
  
 
72bilateral cooperation projects should be used to develop cooperation on the macro-
regional level.  
¾ Action - “To support creativity and entrepreneurship”.  A reorientation towards 
entrepreneurship and creativity is important as a prerequisite for businesses, in particular for small and medium sized enterprises, and thus for Europe's competitiveness. This could be 
achieved through the introduction of innovative teaching methods to support creativity and 
entrepreneurship at all levels of education, through the promoti on of intercultural dialogue or 
through language training, making use of the li nguistic and cultural diversity of the Danube 
Region. Specific attention should be drawn to rural areas and to developing alternative 
employment opportunities and economic diversif ication for people occ upied in traditional 
sectors where restructuring is stil l under way such as agriculture. 
¾ Action - “To support the mobility of worke rs, researchers and students through 
implementing the European Qualification Framework”. Countries in the Danube Region will 
coordinate on the development of National Qu alification Frameworks. Specific added value 
lies in supporting non-EU Member States in drawing up their National Qualification Frameworks.
122 
Ö Example of project - “To enhance capacities of key stakeholders in education, science 
and research”. The project Mobility programme fo r Capacity Building in Regional 
Cooperation in Education, Science and Research123 aims at fostering relevant capacities 
through peer-learning and exchange of expertis e and know-how within ministries 
responsible for education, sc ience and research in managi ng regional and international 
activities and programmes in the sectors concerned. As a meas ure of stakeholder 
empowerment, the project contributes to the strengthening of sustainable regional 
partnerships and consists of short-term placemen ts at key institutions and networks in the 
area of cooperation for building human capital. (Lead : Proposed by the Austrian Federal 
Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture). 
¾ Action - “To jointly analyse implementation gaps  in life long learning (LLL) policies and 
exchange best practices in implementation”.  Comprehensive LLL strategies and their 
implementation have been identified as a priori ty for the development of knowledge societies. 
Making these effective and increasing their impact  for individual learners remains a critical 
challenge. Institutional capacity building of LL L bodies is a prerequisite for implementing 
these policies.   
¾ Action - “To improve cross-sector policy coordi nation to address demographic and migration 
challenges”. Enhanced efforts should be pursuit to  develop knowledge on the status quo, on 
drivers and impacts of migration flows and de mographic change, so to  develop a basis for 
enhanced cooperation of different policies at all levels of governance.  Cross-sector policy 
coordination between relevant gove rnment departments, education authorities, social services, 
healthcare services, cultural policy authorities, housing and spatial planning authorities as well 
as asylum and immigration services at local, regional and national level, as well as dialogue 
with civil society are es sential to ensure an adequate level of support. Spatial consequences of 
migration-induced social, economical and cult ural changes and possi ble responses in the 
framework of urban and rural development shou ld be considered. Cooperation with existing 
organisations, such as the Inte rnational Organisation for Migrat ion (IOM), with their existing 
analysis and recommendations, w ould be particularly useful.  
                                                 
122  Coordination should be sought with the European Training Foundation.  
123  http://www.taskforcehumancapital.info/filead min/documents/TF_Mobility_Programme_2010.pdf  
 
  
 
73¾ Action - “To fight poverty and social exclusio n of marginalised communities in the Danube 
Region, especially the Roma communities”. To make full use of the Danube Region's 
population specific focus needs to be put at empow ering in particular groups in risk of poverty 
and ensuring them access and opportunities. Childre n, old people, ment ally and physically 
disabled, immigrants, homeless, representatives of marginalis ed ethnic groups are the most 
vulnerable. Roma communities, whose conditions ar e often especially dire and with no place in 
21st century Europe, need special attention. Actions  to reduce the number of people in risk of 
poverty need to complement each other, applying an integrated approach124.  
Ö Example of project - “To improve the living conditions of Roma communities”. In the 
Danube Region, Roma are often living in enviro nments with no drinking water, no sewage 
systems, no access to energy and no access to telecommunication services. In addition to these third world standards, they face natural risks such as floods, ground instability or 
proximity to dangerous waste. Projects need to  focus on basic infrastructure needs, but 
also on creating sustainable rural livelihoods,  especially for Roma populations, combining 
poverty alleviation and sustainable resource m anagement. Much better use needs to be 
made of funding opportunities, espe cially e.g. Structural Funds.  
Ö Example of project - “To implement the Roma dialogue with non-Roma” is a long-term 
commitment to improve the situation of Ro ma in European society by giving Roma 
opportunities outside their own co mmunities in social, environmental and cultural projects. 
The objective should be to broaden k nowledge and skills and to support their 
entrepreneurship skills. It also includes non- Roma involvement in lo cal community projects 
involving Roma, followed by engagement e.g. in public education. Initiatives could be built 
on existing mechanisms– the EU Roma pla tform and the Roma Decade and could be 
implemented through existing grant sche mes and in cooperation with NGOs.  
¾ Action - “To implement the actions undertaken in  the Roma Decade and to establish further 
actions to be implemented”. The coordination of efforts between existing initiatives and actors, 
such as the Roma Decade (2005-2015), EU  Roma platform for Roma Inclusion
125, EU-Roma 
network and NGOs active in this field in the Danube Region is indispensable for improving the 
situation for Roma. The particip ation of non-EU Member States in the EU Platform for Roma 
inclusion should be encouraged. Activities of the Platform shoul d improve the coordination of 
the implementation and the use of the resources at EU level, but also among candidate and potential candidates in the Danube Region, which w ill result in increased impact and effective 
utilisation of available resources. There is a particular need to capit alise on best practice 
elsewhere, applying enlightened approaches from the rest of Europe and the world to a chronic 
and dramatic social and cultural issue. Roma  pride and dignity must better prosper.  
 
                                                
 
124  In particular such actions could focus on the eradicating of child poverty, improving equity in education programs 
(from early childhood to postgraduate training), reducing the number of early school leavers124, providing access 
to health care, promoting active incl usion in the labour market, making ef forts to provide decent housing for 
everyone, tackling indebtedness or on providing conducted training programs for local officials on governance of 
multiethnic communities. 
125  The Roma inclusion Platform was endorsed and launched during the Czech Presidency in October 2008. Its main 
objective is to call governments and main stakeholders to debate Roma inclusion, on topics such as education, 
health and housing, meeting on a twice-yearly basis. 
 
  
 
74D) STRENGTHENING THE DANUBE REGION  
 
  
 
75STRENGTHENING THE DANUBE REGION  
 
The pillar on “strengthening the Danube region” a ddresses two priority ar eas: 'Institution Building 
and Cooperation' and 'Security Issues'. 
The actions and projects aim at strengthening the functioning of democratic institutions, public 
administrations and central, regional and local  level organisations, with special focus on 
cooperation in the region. Special emphasis is also needed on making the Danube region a safer 
place to live. Better political, civil and administ rative structures and better security are key 
conditions for smart, sustai nable and inclusive growth. 
An active and well organised civil society needs also to be more  widely encouraged. Stronger 
participation of civil society ca n improve public services and stre ngthen public c onfidence towards 
them. It also facilitates commonly agreed solu tions for problems through a regular dialogue. The 
inclusion of civil society in impl ementing the strategy and the associ ation of civil stakeholders is 
crucial to the success of the Strategy.  
In this respect, territori al cohesion stresses the added valu e of partnership with a strong local 
dimension. This ensures that policies are design ed and implemented with local knowledge, which 
should help their success. 
As examples, this includes re flections on improving ownershi p and participation in the 
implementation of the Strategy by parliaments and at regional and local level with an emphasis on 
cooperation. 
Mobility and a more integrated region also bear the danger of downsides in terms of lack of 
security. In order to address th e risks of greater mobility accompanied by rising cross-border trade 
and growing economic integration, security and coope ration on security measures needs to be in 
focus. 
The pillar therefore also addresses the fight ag ainst corruption and organi sed and serious crime, 
practical cooperation in the field of political as ylum and the prevention of illegal border crossings 
in the Danube region. Concrete  actions involve moving from pure information, and strategic 
agreements with countries, to operational ag reements with a view to clear results.  
The pillar contributes to EU2020. Only a safe and well governed region can genuinely become 
prosperous and attractive within wh ich to live. Coordination of efforts at all levels of government 
and non-governmental organisations is needed  to achieve the goals of the Strategy.  
      
 
  
 
76Examples of financing covering the Region  
Expenditures budgeted by the Structural Funds126 in 2007-2013127 
Technical Assistance   EUR 3.4 b 
 
Preparation, implementation EUR 2.5 b 
Studies and communication EUR 0.9 b 
Other sources of financing  
Other EU programmes contribute to this pillar, in particular: the Instrument for Pre-Accession 
Assistance (IPA) National, Cross-border Coope ration and Multi-beneficia ry country programmes 
and several programmes of the European Neighb ourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) (such 
as the Regional Programmes or the Cross-border  Cooperation Programmes). National, regional and 
local policies are also financing important projects. In addition, significant financing is already 
provided to a large number of projec ts via lending and/ or co-finan cing from various International 
and Bilateral Finance Institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (E BRD), the World Bank, the Council of Europe 
Development Bank (CEB) or other lenders. 
More recently, for the countries of the Western Ba lkans, additional efforts have been made to 
better coordinate and blend instruments for grants  and loans via the Western Balkans Investment 
Framework128 (WBIF).  A similar instrument to the WBIF, the Neighbourhood Investment Facility 
operates for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. 
 
                                                 
126  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) including cross-border cooperation, Cohesion Fund and European 
Social Fund for the Member Stat es. The Instrument for Pre-Accessi on Assistance and the European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) are not included. 
127  However, the use of Structural Funds depends on the specific operational programmes, developed and agreed 
upon at the beginning of the 2007-2013 programming period in close collaboration between the European Commission and the respective Member States/ Regions. Thes e should offer opportunities for funding for specific 
actions/ projects, depending on the priorities and measur ements/ actions identified in the respective operational 
programmes. 
128  The Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) is a blending instrument for grants and loans for candidate 
countries and potential candidates. 
 
  
 
7710) TO STEP UP INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND COOPERATION  
 
Presentation of the issue  
The countries in the Danube region are characterised  by different backgrounds in relation to rule of 
law, transparency, democracy, the market ec onomy, and general political stability. The 
governments show varying degrees of decentralis ation. There are different funding structures, 
policy mandates, political competences, territorial sc opes, and different stages in their relation with 
the EU. 
There are also differences of political barg aining power and institu tional capacity among the 
countries, among different le vels of public administration and ins titutions and civil society, as well 
as between urban and rural areas. The instituti onal capacities are affected by differences of 
economic performance.  
The importance of cities to the Danube Region must be empha sised. The Danube river itself has 
more capital cities than any other river. Howeve r, not only capital cities are important for the 
territory, but also a grea t number of other large and medium si zed cities, smaller towns and regions 
present a relatively polycentric structure. The bala nced urban and regional structure offers much 
potential for sustainable developmen t, if adequate use is made of strengthened regional and local 
authorities. 
Full use of this potential requires efforts impr oving transnational, national, regional and local 
governance systems. They should focus on ad ministrative capacity and optimisation of 
management practices. In the cont ext of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region they should assist 
in intensifying cooperation.  
Common challenges in the Danube region can be best addressed by multilevel cooperative 
structures. Shared experience and know how leading to real results will be  facilitated by genuinely 
effective multi-level governance. This is a key pr actical aspect of the te rritorial cohe sion objective 
now enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty. Cooperation optimises governance by a better use of urban 
and regional potential and it also  contributes to a more balanced development in the region.  
Existing initiatives and forms of cooperation are valuable and should serve as a starting point for 
action before creating new mechanisms129. In addition, the European Social Fund (ESF) could be 
more widely used to sup port actions and projects. 
Danube Region specifics  
The Region has a heritage of deep political tran sformation, including post-communist transition, 
national separatism and the foundation of new states.  
This makes bridging political divides particularly important as well as improving institutional 
capacity and management mechanisms at su pranational level. A good relation with the 
neighbouring countries is crucia l. Although accession or prospe ctive accession to the EU has 
improved the situation, new systems take time to be implemented. They require changes in 
                                                 
129  E.g. existing governance structures in the framewo rk of the Visegrad Group Cooperation since 1991.  
 
  
 
78mentalities, building confidence amongst stakeholders and improvement of skills130. Many aspects 
of this can best be done together by transf erring knowledge and exchanging experiences. 
This is especially true when the challenges requir e cooperation across borders. As the recent crisis 
shows, this also extends to financial governance, which needs reinforcing in  all countries of the 
region, as part of EU wide efforts. 
In addition civil society in some countries rema ins relatively weak. Cooperation with authorities, 
and even communication remain limited. The capacity  of civil society to influence region-wide 
decision making processes, policy-making and imple mentation needs to be developed further. 
One manifestation of these weaknesses is that th e capacity for absorbing development funds in an 
efficient and effective way varies throughout the region. In practical terms, this needs to be 
strengthened and better coordinated, through know -how transfer and other measures e.g. by 
providing assistance to strengthen skills in design ing and implementing projects with cross border 
impact. 
Actions  
¾ Action - “To combat institutional capacity and pu blic service related problems in the Danube 
region”  – This action aims at improving the quality of public services and optimising 
governance mechanisms for international cooperati on at all levels of government. National or 
international partnerships of diffe rent national, regional or local authorities play a crucial role 
in achieving this target. The institutional capacity  building role of civ il society organisations 
should also be strengthened. Cutting excessi ve bureaucracy, improving the quality of 
legislation and administrative procedures should be a focus. E-government practices and 
exchange of experience on major infrastructure projects of mutual inte rest should also be 
addressed. Measures against corruption need to  be reinforced. Activi ties involved could take 
the form of trainings and capacity building on good practices and know how  covering efficient 
decision making, transparency requirements, information flow, consultation methods and 
proactive policy planning. Financial engi neering, financial schemes, design and 
implementation of public finance reforms, pr oject preparation, impa ct assessments, and 
implementation arrangements also need comm on attention. Networking activities should 
contribute to improve skills, competence and motivation of staff in the public sector. 
Innovative and sustainable regional and urban development and sustainable agriculture should 
be encouraged through common learning and good practice including e.g. green urban 
technologies. Social inclusion can be addresse d through new and better approaches being more 
widely shared. In this relation the interactio n with interregional orga nizations, such as the 
Danube Countries Working Group, the Europ ean Regions Assembly, the International 
Association for Danube Research, the Eur opean Regions Institute are crucial. 
Ö Example of project - “To increase knowledge of pu blic finance management” – Training 
and exchange of experience is needed to share knowledge in the design and implementation 
of public finance reforms. Guidance will be pr ovided for current and future tasks in 
reforming public financia l management, streamlining central banking, and adopting 
international standards by involving relevant training and research institution (e.g. Centre 
of Excellence in Finance, Ljubljana, Slovenia).  
Ö Example of project - “To build on the experience of th e Council of Ministers of Culture 
of South Eastern Europe” –  Recognising that sharing cultural values, exchanging 
                                                 
130  The European project of the newly established Regional School for Public Administration for the Western 
Balkans in Danilovgrad, Montenegro contributes to this goal. ( http://www.respaweb.eu ) 
 
  
 
79experiences and patrimony constitutes a uni que instrument for maintaining peace, 
prosperity and harmony in the Region Al bania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, 
Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, The Former Yougoslav Republic of Macedonia 
and Turkey are cooperating also in the framework of the Council of Ministers of Culture of 
South Eastern Europe (Austria has observer status)131. This could be reinforced, especially 
in respect of its joint action plan, adopted in April 2009.  
Ö Example of project - “To implement the Acta Danubiana - a proposal for international 
harmonisation of scientific studies of the Danube” - There is a need for harmonised basic 
studies. A concerted effort is al so required to synthesise the various studies, investigations, 
designed and built investments of the count ries along the Danube, harmonizing data and 
monitoring.   
Ö Example of project - “To use European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) 
in the Danube Region” - EGTCs can support the implementa tion of the Danube Strategy. 
They can complement and link up with the existing intergovernmental cooperation initiatives and facilitate the c ooperation of local players.  
¾ Action - “To improve the trust of citizens an d stakeholders in political authorities” – This 
action should open up a discussion about the role  of civil society in this respect. An open 
dialogue with different authorities and instit utions, and a better ack nowledgement of civil 
society expertise and views in public service is  needed. The communication skills of civil 
society should be reinforced to promote conf idence building measures (inc. post-conflict 
management) in the region.  There is a need to strengthen a networking culture (e.g. regional, 
local or city networks, links with the privat e sector as well as religious and cultural 
communities)
132.  
¾ Action - “To establish a Danube Civil Society Forum”  – promoting the idea of a Danube Civil 
Forum as a pillar of civil society participatio n in the Strategy. Such projects could offer 
experience within the field of ci vil society-state dialogue as we ll as cross-border and trans-
national networking. “To establish a Danube Civil Society Forum” – promoting the idea of a 
Danube Civil Forum as a pillar of civil society part icipation in the Stra tegy. Such projects 
could offer experience within the field of civ il society-state dialogue as well as cross-border 
and trans-national networking. The European Ec onomic and Social Committee (EESC) and its 
equivalents in partner countri es should play a key role, especially regarding business, 
employment, labour and social issues. 
¾ Action - “To ensure sufficient informa tion flow and exchange at all levels”  – Improvement 
of the capacity of administration to share in formation and know how needs to be addressed 
(inc. new mechanisms for sharing scientific  know how and knowledge). Strengthening inter-
disciplinary and inter-institutional working and c onsultation mechanisms also at international 
level will help to address cross cutting issues an d to take into account cross sectoral linkages. 
Examples can also cover networ ks of cities, regions, urban and rural areas. The Council of 
Danube Cities and Regions133 can be a strategic partner participating actively in the 
                                                 
131  www.culturesee.org  
132  “Education Twinning for European Citizenship, Heading for Excellence in  the CENTROPE Region (EdTWIN)”  - 
is implemented under the lead partnership of Vienna (Vienna Board of Education). This project aims (1) to raise awareness for the cultures and the language s of the neighbours, (2) to build up pos itive attitudes and (3) to set the 
relevant measures in order to improve the necessary competence standards for opening doors and widening 
pathways to CENTROPE, a region of excellence in Central Europe. 
133  Final Declaration of the IVth European Conference of  the Danube Cities and Regions in Budapest on 11th June 
2009. 
 
  
 
80development of joint projects. Such networks can promote coope ration in urban revitalisation, 
support for modern urban technolo gies, housing projects  and organise knowle dge transfer etc. 
European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation (E GTC) may be especially useful in this 
respect. Cooperation is also needed between pl anning institutes and the institutions dealing 
with authority-related tasks, through the de velopment and implementation of cross-border 
cooperation in settlement and region al planning and licensing procedures134. 
Ö Example of project - “To build on the Danube Environmental Forum” – one of the 
largest environmental networks in Europe . This and similar organisations could be 
supported in order to reach th eir potential to participate ef fectively in environmental 
governance, public education, and other important civil society functions  in the region.  
Ö Example of project - “To establish a cooperation map” –  of the Danube Region. Such a 
map could help to measure and map the curren tly existing, planned or merely suggested 
cooperation projects of the set tlements and regions along the Danube.   
Ö Example of project - “To establish common guidelines fo r improving spatial planning” –  
This would be useful to advise the local authorities on best practices for the human 
settlements in the Danube Region and on the wa y to prioritise infrastructure and other 
investments. Integrated spatial planning s hould ensure that development balances 
infrastructural and economic as pects on the one hand with environmental and social 
aspects on the other. 
Ö Example of project - “To transfer knowledge and e nhance urban technologies and 
strategies” –  Agglomerations of the Danube regi on need to exchange and transfer their 
know-how, and to develop and implement modern  technologies and strategies. There is a 
need for innovative and sustai nable solutions for example in the housing sector, in 
mobility, in coping with economic structur al changes, and in upgrading public services. 
There are environmental-friend ly technologies and strategies for cities and municipalities, 
which should be better shared.  
¾ Action - “To facilitate the administrative c ooperation of communities living in border 
regions”  – Eliminating and overcoming administrative  and legal obstacles for cooperation and 
adjusting regional competences to local needs would strengthen cooperation between 
institutions and local municipa lities both at local, regional a nd international levels. Direct 
regional and local cooperation acr oss borders should be promoted. One of the Danube Region’s 
features is that different nati onal minorities live in the border areas. This also points to a need 
for easier crossings and better cooperation. Indeed, minorities have repeatedly expressed 
proposals aimed at improving cross-border re lationships. Citizens,  entrepreneurs and 
municipalities of border areas need better inform ation and services. The countries participating 
in the Danube Region Strategy could agree to revise internal legal standards and other 
administrative prescriptions that obstruct the de velopment of economic and social cross-border 
ties. A discussion on and an overview of possibl e multilateral reconciliation mechanisms could 
also contribute to improve political c ooperation and good neighbourly relations. Certain 
difficult issues need mutually acceptable solutions for common prosperity.  
                                                 
134  A cooperation exercise in this area is in progress in  the countries of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, 
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) together  with Romania and Bulgaria resulting in the coordination of spatial 
development measures. Ministerial Conclusions of the meeting of Ministers responsibnle for regional development of the Visegrad Four countries, Bulgaria and Romania held in Budapest (Hungary) on 29 March 
2010. 
 
  
 
81¾ Action - “To build Metropolitan Regions in the Danube Region”  – A platform of existing and 
emerging metropolis regions should be initiated in order to esta blish a framework for learning 
and development of common ideas in all areas relevant to metropolitan development. City 
networks should promote cooperation and exchange  of information and experience among e.g. 
administrative experts, municipal and regional parliaments. There is a scope for knowledge 
exchange of agglomeration development strategies. This will lead to faster dissemination of good practice and the detect ion of promising fields of concre te cooperation on public authority 
level and for business. 
¾ Action - “To review bottlenecks relating to th e low absorption rate of EU funds and to 
ensure better coordination of funding” – The use of different f unding opportunities in the 
region should be improved. Support to potential be neficiaries in their pr eparation, and in order 
to address better the target groups is needed. The JASPERS
135 initiative is a form of assistance 
to the Central and Eastern EU Member States  in the preparation of major projects which 
efficient use will gear toward s accelerating the absorption of the available funds. Linkages 
between “internal“ EU funding instruments (S tructural Funds programmes including European 
Territorial Cooperation programmes, etc.) and “external“ EU funding instruments (European 
Neighbouring Policy Instrument (ENPI), Instrume nt for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) should 
also be improved.  
¾ Action - “To support the development of loca l financial products for business and 
community development”  – To encourage entrepreneurship and development of SMEs, 
empower local stakeholders and foster communities, while encouraging future-oriented businesses. Rural or lagging behi nd areas need special  attention. Activities  include technical 
assistance, e.g. training in identifying opportuniti es for “green business“, business development 
and planning; micro-and soft credit schemes, e.g. in cooperation with  commercial lending 
institutions, or via unbureaucrat ic small grants. Such product development should not mean 
creating new funding sources. The efficient and harmonised use of existing financial 
mechanisms is recommended. 
¾ Action - “To examine the feasibility of a Danube Investment Framework”  – Using or 
expanding the experience of the ‘Western Balk ans Investment Framework (WBIF)’ without 
creating parallel structures, this could bring together the Institutions which finance projects submitted by the Priority Area Coordinators, representatives of the European Neighbourhood 
Partnership Instrument (ENPI), the national funding sources and International Financial 
Institutions. The projects would be presente d by each Priority Area Coordinator. Projects 
would be examined several times a year, fo r example during meetings with all parties 
concerned. The aim is to propose a funding possibility  to the project appli cants (grant, loan or 
blend of both). 
 
                                                 
135  JASPERS offices are located  in Vienna and Bucharest 
 
  
 
8211) TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE SECURITY AND TACKLE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS 
CRIME  
 
Presentation of the issue  
Preconditions for further development of the Danube states in peace, freedom, security, justice and 
economic prosperity are the further strengthening of  the rule of law, the fight against corruption 
and organised and serious crime, cooperation in the field of asylum and the prevention of irregular 
border crossings in the Danube region.  
Growing economic integration and rising cross-border tr ade bear the danger of rising organised 
and serious crime in the region (smuggling, traffi cking in human beings, black market). Besides 
the social damage it causes, organised crime can also hinder business development and limit further economic growth. The recent history and th e different stages of EU integration of the 
Danube Region make this issue a particular problem. Differences  in the national legislative 
frameworks can make cross-border law enforcem ent lengthy and cumbersome and facilitate 
organised and serious crime. Therefore, framew orks of international cooperation and existing 
initiatives should be reinforced.  
In most countries of the Danube Region public admi nistrations had to be radically modified after 
regime change in 1989 and  after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Although accession to the EU (or 
the prospects for accession) has improved the situ ation, new forms of cooperation take time to be 
implemented as they require chan ges in mentalities, building conf idence amongst stakeholders and 
skills improvements. This is crucia l especially in relati on to security and crime. Europol as one of 
the EU agencies offers new possibilities  to reinforce actions in this area.  
Danube Region specifics
 
Many challenges in this respect are shared (o r have effects) across the region. Although the 
cooperation within the region has improved, certain di screpancies and disparit ies still need to be 
addressed. This requires both common ac tions and exchange of experience.   
The area is characterised by increased mobility of people within the EU and across its external 
borders. Therefore, better trans-border cooperation is necessary to guarantee high level of security 
in the whole region without compromising the prot ection of human rights. The common efforts to 
enhance the cooperation at different  levels of law enforcement s hould have a clear impact for the 
citizens living in the Danube Region 
The EU is gradually liberalising its visa policy in the Western Ba lkans and is making progress in 
discussions on visa-related  issues with its close neighbours. Moldova has started its own dialogue 
with the EU on visas. These positive developments  are widely welcomed in the Region and show 
that the EU and its close nei ghbours increasingly shar e interests in the wa y the movement of 
people is managed.  
Actions  
¾ Action - “To support the Danube states in th e administrative coopera tion and improvement 
of qualifications of law enforcement, judicial authorities and other services”.  The existing 
 
  
 
83programmes promoting cooperation between the Danube countries in  this area should continue 
and expand wherever possible. The common actions against tra fficking in human beings are 
crucial. The development of the criminal organisati ons and the trends of their activities need to be 
better monitored. The following forms of criminal activities are common threats for the watercourse and surrounding area of the Danube: smuggling of goods; misuse  in circulation of 
goods by ship crews; commercial crime; smuggl ing of and trafficking in human beings.  These 
need to be tackled together.  The achievement in this area is crucial for the development of the 
region and its economic potential. 
Ö Example of project - “To improve information flows between Member States and non-
Member States in the Danube Region”. Exchange of know-how, best practice and 
information between countries upstream and downstream the Danube River is essential. 
Quality training and development of concepts to improve transparency both in administrations and business are elements of this project. This could also include an 
excellence network of existing public training institutions for training administrative 
officials from the Danube Region.   
Ö Example of project - “To set up a Europol Platform fo r Experts (EPE) on corruption in 
cooperation with the EU contact-poi nt network against corruption (EACN)
136, to 
improve information flows between Member States and non-Memb er States in the 
Danube Region”. A pragmatic approach to the fight  against corrup tion. The EPE would 
provide experts from police force bodies and anti-corruption authorities at national and 
local level with a platform for the exchange of information and expertise. It would support 
the development and the promo tion of common working standards  and best practices as 
well as information on public procurement, calls for tender  etc. Quality training and 
elaboration of concepts to improve transparen cy both in administrations and business are 
important elements of this project. The par ticipation of private partners should also be 
considered.  
Ö Example of project - “To enhance the better cooperation between practitioners and 
members of the academia  in the field of crim inal law in order to support the Danube states 
in improvement of qualifications of the law enforcement, judicial authorises and other 
services”.   
Ö Example of project - “To implement the Fiscalis programme” .137  The programme138 
supports the following types of activities  in the area of fiscal policy:  
communication and information exchange sy stem development, including Common 
Communications Networks/ Common Systems In terface (CCN/ CSI), the VAT Information 
Exchange System (VIES), excise systems, the Excise Movement and Control System 
(EMCS). This includes implemen tation of multicultural control in  relation to the taxation of 
individuals in different par ticipating countries; and organising seminars, workshops, 
project groups, study visits  and training activities.  
                                                 
136  Council Decision 2008/852/JHA of 24 October 2008. 
137  The programme is open to all Member States, candidate  countries and potential candidate countries and certain 
countries participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy, depending on the level of their system’s harmonisation with the acquis communautaire . The programme is managed by the Directorate-General for 
Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) along with the Fiscalis 2013 Committee. 
138  The Memorandum of Understanding for participation in the Fiscalis 2007 programme was signed on 28 August 
2006 and was ratified on 1 December 2006. The application of this Memorandum was automatically extended to 
include the Fiscalis 2013 main actions.  
 
  
 
84¾ Action - “To improve target collection and share key criminal information; to draw a picture 
of the most significant threat s in the countries involved; to  produce a Serious and Organised 
Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA) for the Danube Area”. There is a clear need for tailored 
analyses of the existing threats and more eff ective use of Europol’s cooperation agreements 
with third countries.  Furthermore, a specific Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 
(OCTA) for the Danube Area should be produ ced. Intelligence requirements should be 
developed in consistency with the existing or ganised crime threat assessments produced by 
Europol. Single intelligence requirements process should be considered for both EU and Danube Area OCTAs. Europol will identify the main threats of Organised Crime (OC) and 
Serious Crime (SC) groups and assess the level of corruption and business transparency in the 
Danube Region. This Threat Assessment will also suggest targeted objectives and 
recommendations to address the most relevant  OC and SC. Based on these recommendations a 
JHA Regional Strategy including security progra mmes and action plans, will be developed in 
order to lead to concrete operational activities. Based on the Europol External Strategy
139 and 
Council Decision 2009/934/JHA140, the exchange of criminal intelligence between Europol and 
the third countries of the re gion has to be enhanced.  
Ö Example of project - “To increase the flow of criminal intelligence from countries of the 
Danube Region towards Europol’s Analytical Work File (AWF)”. Countries of the 
Danube Region should be encouraged to make th e most of Europol’s capabilities and share 
relevant criminal intelligence in the framework of the AWFs in line with provisions of the 
Council Decision adopting the impl ementing rules for Europol AWFs141. The outcome of 
the analysis will serve as a basis for the D anube Organised Crime Threat Assessment. An 
increased use of Europol’s AWFs will guarantee that all the strategic initiatives taken in 
the region translate in a concrete operationa l outcome for the investigators. Moreover, 
Europol could organise awareness and traini ng sessions in orde r to increase the 
contribution of Danube countries to Europol ’s AWFs and to the threat assessment.  
Ö Example of project - “To support the deployment of th e European Secure Information 
Exchange Network Application (SIENA) in  non-EU Member states in the Danube 
Region” . As of November 2010, all non-EU Member States of the Danube Region with 
which Europol concluded a strategic cooperation agreement142 will have the possibility to 
to communicate and exchange information with  all EU Member Stat es via Europol/SIENA.  
Encouraging the generalisation of the use of  this common European information system 
(already used by EU member states) by al l non-EU member countries  in the region would 
greatly increase interope rability, cooperation and info rmation flow between law 
enforcement agencies of the Region.  
¾ Action - “To strengthen the cooperation of Eu ropol with Southeast European Co-operative 
Initiative – Regional Centre for Combating Trans-border Crime (hereinafter: SECI/ 
SELEC)” as an important player in th e security area in the region. 
                                                 
139  Europol External Strategy 2010 – 2014. 
140  Council Decision 2009/934/JHA of 30 November 2009 adopting the implementing rules governing Europol’s 
relations with partners, including the exchange of personal data and classified information; O.J. L 325/6. 
141  Council Decision 2009/936/JHA of 30 November 2009 adopting the implementing rules for Europol analysis 
work files, O.J. L 325/14. 
142  Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegov ina, Montenegro, Moldova, Ukraine. 
 
  
 
85¾ Action - “To develop further well-func tioning border-management systems143”. There is a 
need: to reinforce inland waterways shipping border checks and borde r surveillance involving 
the crossing through the Danube River  of the exte rnal borders; to faci litate the exchange of 
information between the border guard services of the Danube Region; to  equip border crossing 
points with biometric passport r eaders, CCTV cameras, online interconnections with Interpol 
databases; to reinforce border surveillance with night-vision equipment, and infra-red sensors; 
to continue the training of bor der guards; to improve conditions  (tariffs, licensing regulations, 
timetables and transport routes) for cross-bo rder traffic of passengers and goods, and to 
introduce uniform quality certification systems a nd analyse veterinary and public health 
regulations which prevent free m ovement of goods and services.  
Ö Example of project - “To establish unified records, within the River Information Services,  
which would contain data on legal entities , vessels and persons interesting from the 
security aspect” , as well as records on movement of vessels, cargo and passengers in order 
to enable more efficient prevention and suppre ssion of criminal activities, primarily 
smuggling and trafficking.  
¾ Action - “To intensify  the prosecution of Internet crime (cybercrime)” , which is a global, 
technical, cross-border, and anonymous threat to  the information systems, confronting the 
national law enforcement agencies with ever ne w challenges. The central problems concern the 
field of property offences as  well as child pornography.  
¾ Action - “To explore possi bilities to extend the current pilo t project on exchanges of advanced 
customs information in the Region” . The non-EU Customs administrations in the Western 
Balkans are engaged already in developing two IT applications used for the electronic exchange of pre-arrival information, supported by EU assi stance. Also Moldova and Ukraine are involved 
in an automated exchange of pre-arrival information project (under EUBAM assistance). 
Ö Example of project - “To set up the eJustice Project S.A. F.E., Secure Access to Federated 
eJustice/ eGovernment”.  
S.A.F.E. defines a technical framework for interoperable and safe 
use of digital identities across admi nistrative borders („Trust-Domains“). The intention of 
this initiative is upgrading of electronic communica tion infrastructure in the area of justice 
with the goal of defining ope n, interoperable and internati onally standardised interfaces 
that allow secure access to communication services as well as secure and reliable 
electronic communication. The S.A.F.E. con cept aims at the secure registration, 
authentication and authorization as well as  the secure storage of communication 
participants. The project is of common intere st for most e-government services going 
beyond communication and beyond e-justice.  
                                                 
143  The EU policy related to customs and taxation in the Danube  region is determined by the principles that apply to 
the single market and the customs union (EU Member St ates), by the Enlargement Strategy (Croatia, Serbia, 
Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)/ Eastern Partnership 
(EaP) for Ukraine and Moldova. The EaP program has been adopted by the Council in May 2009. 
 For Ukraine and Moldova specific ob jectives agreed in the Partnershi p and Cooperation Agreements (PCA) 
Action Plans are to align customs/ tax legislation with  the EU and international standards, improve customs 
control including risk management, improve cooperation of customs and tax administrations with the economic 
operators and taxpayers, improve computerization of procedures and integrity standards. 
 Under the Eastern Partnership the EU policy objectives are the facilitation of the development of legitimate trade 
and economic relations throughout the region and with th e EU, enhance security and safety of the supply chain 
and combat customs fraud. For taxation area the objectives  are to provide active support to partner countries 
taxation reform, approximation of indirect taxation syst ems, cooperation in policies to counteract fraud and 
application of the principles of good governance in the taxation area. 
 
  
 
86¾ Action - “To explore possibilities to extend the current pilot project on exchanges of 
advanced customs information in the  Region”.  The Customs administrations in the Western 
Balkans are engaged already in  developing two IT applicati ons used for the electronic 
exchange of pre-arrival information, supported by EU assistance. Also Moldova and Ukraine 
are involved in an automated exchange of pre-arrival information project (under EUBAM 
assistance). 
Ö Example of project - “To implement the DREWS project (the Danube River Early 
Warning System)",  which allows an automated exchange  of information on cargo passing 
between Serbia and Croatia via the Danube and to implement SEEMS/ SEED, which allows exchanging consignment related pre-arri val information betw een several non EU-
countries in the Wesern Balkans.  
¾ Action - “To address the topic of better managing migration issues in the Danube Region”.  
A regional profile could be el aborated for the Danube Region based on the national Extended 
Migration Profiles of the 14 countries covered by the Stra tegy for the Danube Region. The 
regional profile could be complemented with recommendations as well as a regional action 
plan. Its goal would be to promote discussion an d cooperation on migration policies, coherence 
and coordination between governments, ministries and other stakeholders at local and regional 
or provincial level (Internationa l Organisation for Migration). 
¾ Action - “To continue demining in the mine-suspected areas of the Danube area”  
(agriculture, water, canals, embankment, transpor t routes, flood prone ar eas, protected areas); 
¾ Action - “To improve  food security”  in the Region: By unifying technical standards and norms 
and consequently reducing technica l barriers to trade in agricultu ral products, food security in 
the Danube region could be essentially improved. In this context, various countries have a vital 
interest in closer cooperation with other partne rs in the Danube region with regard to both the 
establishment of the food securi ty system and the rural development in the wider sense.  
¾ Action - “To establish standardised operational pr ocedures for joint activities in case of 
transboundary technical-technol ogical water traffic accidents” . 
Ö Example of project - “To set up a waterway emergency centres” , which would host the 
offices, authorities and training facilities involved in the op erative activitie s relating to 
navigation (water police, fire department, the National Headquarters of the Customs and 
Finance Guard, navigation authority, rescue shi p, emergency helipad, nautical information 
centre, training centre).  
 
  
 
87ANNEX  
 
Role of the European Investment Bank (EIB ) in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region 
 
The Commission and the European  Investment Bank (EIB) have a long-standing background of 
working together. As such, the role of the EIB in the Strategy can be crucial, especially in 
mobilising and blending sources of finance for bankable projects. 
The EIB has much experience of cooperation with most of the Member and non Member Countries 
in the Danube region across a range of different sect ors. EIB’s key role in ensuring the availability 
of long-term financing to key infrastructure is underlined by th e already substantial support 
provided by the Bank in the Danube Region over the co urse of the last 10 years. Additionally, the 
JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Proj ects in European Regions) initiative144 set up in 2006 to 
help Member States to prepare better project ap plications proposed for EU Structural Fund grant 
support. There is also other technical assistan ce activities in the region, including the Western 
Balkans Initiative which provide s technical assistance based on th eir experience and detailed 
insight into sector policies a nd performance, together with a vast network including Member 
States, the European Commission and other IFIs  (international financial institutions).  
Strong EIB presence in the region is also marked  by an increased lending volumes; loan signatures 
increased from EUR 8.6 billion in 2007 to EUR 11.8 billion in 2009, including Structural 
Programme Loans in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic , Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to co-finance 
the Operational Programmes. Sectorwise, appr oximately EUR 5.1 billion was dedicated to 
sustainable transport and energy connectivity, EUR 4.1 billion to environment and water resources and EUR 1.9 billion to socio-economic and human de velopment. Furthermore, in the beginning of 
2010, there were 274 active and 122 completed JA SPERS assignments in the region, with 
Romania, Czech Republic and Bulgaria as main  recipients of technical assistance.    
The main objective of the Danube Action Plan curre ntly developed under th e EU Strategy for the 
Danube Region is to formulate a targeted policy fo r the Danube that meets its ecological, transport 
and socio-economic needs. The Danube Strategy draws extensively on the positive feedback from the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, which was adopted by the European Council on 26 October 2009 and to which the EIB contributes.  In the past the Bank has financed several 
wastewater treatment plants and co-financed hi gh priority de-pollution projects. The EIB has 
likewise promoted the upgrading of necessary infr astructure to integrate the various individual 
regions into a larger Baltic Sea re gion. Overall, the EIB has lent more than EUR 20bn to activities 
in the Baltic Sea Region in the years 2007-2009, with lending volumes increasing from EUR 4bn 
to EUR 10bn annually between 2007 and 2009.  
EIB’s experience from the Baltic Sea Strategy is al so a valuable input to the Danube Strategy. The 
Bank’s contribution to the Danube Strategy will aim at providing value added in all riparian 
countries. Given the Bank’s sector  experience and its priority le nding objectives, the EIB is well 
positioned to support developments in all sectors specified in the Danube River Strategy, with the 
particular emphasis on the following two areas: 
 EIB support to improving Navigation on the Danube; 
                                                
 
144  Shared by the EU Commission, the EIB, KfW and EBRD. 
 
  
 
88 EIB support to sustainable water mana gement in the Danube River Basin. 
As in all areas of EIB activity, transport lending ha s been driven by EU policy. In particular, in line 
with the Transport Lending Policy (2007), inland wa terways is one of the modes to which priority 
is given by the EIB as one of the most promising modes in terms of reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions per transport unit. However, in the Danube region inland water transport (IWT) projects 
have been relatively limited in number in recent years (see Table 1). In the area of environmental 
management of the Danube basin, the Bank is pr oactively involved in a number of investment 
projects including technical assistance initiati ves with a direct imp act on restoration of 
environmental state of the Danube  basin, both to speed  up investments through better, faster 
project preparation and to support promoters to de liver their projects on time (see Table below).  
 The EIB could play a critical role in the impl ementation of the navigation and restoration of the 
environmental state components of the Danube River Strategy. In addition to EIB’s lending 
activity in the region, the EIB could also extend its technical assist ance to support countries of the 
region and their intergovernment al organisations in (i) provi ding support to navigation and 
strategies for the restoration of environmental state, (ii) institu tional capacity, incl uding support to 
weaker promoters, and (iii) in the preparatio n to identify and prepare sound projects for EIB 
financing. Technical Assistance is already provide d in the region such as the JASPERS initiative, 
the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF)145, or other dedicated project, sector or 
financial instrument support. JESSICA (Joint Eur opean Support for Sustainable Investment in City 
Areas) is an initiative launche d in 2006 and uses 2007-2013 Stru ctural Fund allocations to 
establish revolving investment instruments rather  than grant subsidies, in favour of urban 
development projects. The JEREMIE initiative146 (Joint European Resources for Small and 
Medium-sized Enterprises), also launched in  2006, offers EU Member States, through their 
national or regional Managing Authorities, the opport unity to use part of their EU Structural Funds 
allocations to finance small and medium-sized en terprises (SMEs) by means of equity, loans or 
guarantees, through a revolving Holding Fund acting as an umbrella fund. EPEC (the European 
PPP Expertise Centre)147 was launched in September 2008 and aims to strengthen the 
organisational capacity of the public sector to engage in Public Priv ate Partnership (PPP) 
transactions. 
The EIB also cooperates with other Internati onal Financial Institutions  active in the region 
(European Bank for Reconstruction and Developm ent (EBRD), World Bank, etc.) and EC project 
preparation facilities to upstream bu ild a pipeline of potential projects.  
Examples of selected fl agship EIB and JASPERS projects in the Danube Region 
Navigation on the Danube Restoratio n of the environmental state of 
the Danube River Basin 
EIB Projects 
Romania: Sulina canal bank protection: improvement of navigation conditions on the Danube Delta (EUR 38 million) 
 Czech Republic: Flood Damage 
Reconstruction 2009 R econstruction of 
damage caused by floods in Moravia and Southern Bohemia in June 2009 (EUR 265 million) 
                                                 
145  EIB, in partnership with the European Commission, EBRD and CEB. 
146  Developed by the European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF), which is part of the European 
Investment Bank Group. 
147  Launched by the EIB and the European Commission. 
 
  
 
89Bulgaria: Danube Port of Lom: 
reconstruction and modernisation of port infrastructure and equipment (Pan-European Corridor VII)  (EUR 17 million) Czech Republic: Water Sector Framework 
Loan III Investment mostly for upgrading, improvement, modernisation and expansion of water supply and waste water systems (EUR 112 million) 
Bulgaria: Danube bridge: construction of a new combined (road and railway) bridge on the Pan-European Corridor IV between Vidin (Bulgaria) and Calafat (Romania) (EUR 70 million) 
 Austria: Sicherung Energieversorgung Linz 
Construction of a waste-to-energy co-
generation plant and expansion of a gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in the city of Linz (EUR 110 million) 
Slovakia: Košická Bridge Bratislava: construction of a new road bridge across the Danube, together with connecting urban roads (EUR 45 million) 
 Romania: Cluj/Salaj Cassa Water Project: 
Investment loan for co-financing the extension and rehabili tation of water and 
wastewater systems in Cluj and Salaj counties, Romania, supported by Cohesion Funds (EUR 26 million) 
JASPERS Projects  
Danube navigation improvement – 
Romania: Section 1 Common Sector between Romania and Bulgaria; Section 3 Navigable channels (Convoy formation/dismantling); Section 4 Port of Calafat 
 Hungary: Flood Prevention: Danube 
reinforcement of embankments 
Modernisation and development of Constanta Port – Romania –  completed & 
closed  Slovakia: Water and Wastewater Treatment: 
WWTP Intensification, sewerage and drinking water supply in Puchov region 
Development of Public infrastructure along Danube and in Danube ports – Romania: Development of Public infrastructure in Danube ports; Waste collection system - depolluting vessels on Danube Sulina – Braila; Waste collection system - depolluting vessels on Danube Harsova – 
Bazias; RORIS II - Danube VTMIS  - 
Canals – completed & closed;  RORIS II - 
Danube VTMIS – Danube – completed & 
closed  Slovakia: Water and Wastewater Treatment: 
Ruzomberok, Liptovska Tepla, Liplovske Sliace Wastewater Collection and Treatment Project 
Bank protection works on Sulina Channel – Romania 
 Romania: Water and Wastewater Treatment: 
Extension/ modernisation water supply/ sewerage system in Iasi county 
Environmental Monitoring on the Danube – Romania Romania: Flood Prevention: Protection 
against coastal erosion