UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Final Report
UNDP/GEF Tisza Medium Sized Project:
Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into
improved transboundary management for the Tisza River Basin
June 2011
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... i
Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................... i
Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. ii
1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1
2 Component 1: Development and endorsement of an Integrated River Basin
Management Plan ...................................................................................................................... 3
2.1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 3
2.2
Activity 1(i): – Development of a strategy for nutrient pollution reduction. ............. 3
2.3
Activity 1(ii) – Development of a flood and drought mitigation strategy................... 4
2.4 Activity 1(iii) – Combination of Tisza River Basin strategies into an Integrated River
Basin Management Plan ........................................................................................................ 5
2.5
3
Activity 1(iv) Dissemination and replication ............................................................... 5
Component 2: Community-based Demonstration Projects ............................................... 6
3.1
Introductions ............................................................................................................... 6
3.2
Activity 2(i): Identification of potential demonstration projects ................................ 6
3.3
Activity 2(ii): Agreement on priority projects to be implemented ............................. 6
3.4
Activity 2(iii): Implementation of demonstration projects ......................................... 6
3.5
Activity 2(iv): Feedback and presentation of results .................................................. 8
3.6
Activity 2(v): Development of replication strategy for demonstration projects ........ 8
4
Project Management .......................................................................................................... 9
5
Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................................................... 10
5.1
Internal ...................................................................................................................... 10
5.2
External ..................................................................................................................... 10
5.3
Lessons Learnt highlighted by the Terminal Evaluation ........................................... 11
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 1
Outputs and Deliverables ...................................................................................... 12
Annex 2:
Meetings and Workshops ...................................................................................... 15
Annex 3:
Consultants ............................................................................................................ 17
Annex 4 – Demonstration Project Call ..................................................................................... 21
Annex 5:
Project Achievement against Logframe ................................................................ 27
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Acknowledgements
The UNDP/GEF Tisza Project Management Unit (Diana Heilmann and Peter Whalley)
acknowledge the significant assistance and co-operation provided by a wide range of
national experts, consultants and partner organisations. Without this support the key
deliverables of this project would not have been achieved. In particular we would like to
thank:
UNDP/GEF Tisza Project Steering Group
ICPDR – Philip Weller - Chair
Hungary – Gyula Holló (HoD 2008-2010), István Kling (HoD -2010), Péter Kovács,
Mária Galambos
Romania – Dan Carlan (HoD), Gheorghe Constantin,
Slovakia – Robert Halmo (HoD), Boris Minarik
Serbia – MrAleksandar Prodanovic (HoD), Miodrag Milovanovich, Dragana
Milovanovich
Ukraine – Melenevskyi Mykola (HoD), Alxei Iarochevitch, Antonina Karnaukova
The ICPDR Tisza Group:
Peter Kovac /Marike van Nood – Co-chairs of the Tisza Group
Valerii Kassianchuk · Alexei Iarochevitch · Svitlana Rebryk · Graziella Jula · Elisabeta
Oprişan · Emilia Kunikova · Boris Minarik · Mária Galambos · Miodrag Milovanović ·
Marina Babić – Mladenović · Mladen Vučinić · Magdolna Tóth Nagy · Péter Bakonyi ·
Georg Rast · Klara Tothova
Consultants and Institutes
Alexander Zinke, Alexei Iarochevitch, Alliance for Living Tisza (ALT - SZÖVET), Béla
Borsos, Boris Minarik, CESEP, Global Water Partnership -Slovakia, Janos Feher, János
Szabó, Jaroslav Cerni Institut, Kirstie Shepherd, Marcus Venhor, Natali Cristl, Oana
Islam, Sonja Seizova, Thomas Hein, VITUKI, Zakarpattya Oblast organization of AllUkrainian Ecological League
Partner Organisations
UNDP – Klara Tothova
ICPDR – Philip Weller, Anna Koch, Mihaela Popovici
European Union – Marieke van Nood
UNEP – Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention – Harald Egerer
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Abbreviations
EC DG ENV
EU
FAP
GEF
ICPDR
ILD
IRBM
ITRBMP
IW
IW:LEARN
IWRM
MoU
MSP
MTE
PMU
PSC
SAP
TDA
TE
TRB
UNDP
UNECE
UNEP
UNOPS
WFD
WWF
European Commission, Directorate General Environment
European Union
Flood Action Plan
Global Environment Facility
International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
Integrated Land Development
Integrated River Basin Management
Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan
International Waters
GEF’s International Waters Learning Exchange Resources Network
Integrated Water Resources Management
Memorandum of Understanding
Medium Sized Project
Mid-Term Evaluation
Programme Management Unit
Project Steering Committee
Strategic Action Programme
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
Terminal Evaluation
Tisza River Basin
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Office for Project Services
Water Framework Directive
Worldwide Fund for Nature
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
1 Introduction
This is the Final Report of the UNDP/GEF Medium Sized Project ‘Integrating multiple benefits of
wetlands and floodplains into improved transboundary management of the Tisza River Basin’ (The
UNDP/GEF Tisza Project).
The Tisza River is the largest tributary of the Danube River Basin. The basin has been subjected to
many anthropogenic influences over the last 150 years that has resulted in a significantly degraded
system. These include engineering works on the river for navigation and flood protection leading to
the loss of wetlands and floodplains, and accentuating problems of floods downstream, excessive
use of agro-chemicals (leading to nutrient and toxic substance pollution) lack of waste water
treatments and mining activities releasing toxic substance pollution. In addition, predictions indicate
that future growth of agriculture, coupled with climatic changes that already produce record
flooding, will increase pressures on the available water resources. These problems require a
concerted action by all the Tisza River Basin countries to develop and implement a more ecosystembased approach to integrated river basin management and to address, as a priority, wetlands and
floodplain restoration and management.
The UNDP/GEF Tisza Project was designed to assist the countries of the Tisza River Basin, through
the ICPDR’s Tisza Group, to develop an integrated river basin management plan, combining issues of
water quantity / quantity and land/ water management. The development of the plan was
complemented by three sub-regional demonstration projects conceived to provide practical
experiences on floodplain and wetlands for inclusion in the integrated plan.
The overall project goal: was to contribute to the environmental management of the Tisza River
Basin by introducing and testing new approaches to minimize the impact of floods and to reduce
nutrient pollution through enhanced use of wetlands and floodplains
Outcome 1: Adoption of policies and legislation within Tisza countries that promote the use of
wetlands/floodplains for flood mitigation, nutrient retention, biodiversity enhancement and social
amenity value improvement consistent with the EU WFD and IWRM
Outcome 2: Demonstration of effective floodplain management strategies at the local level through
demonstration projects.
The objectives of this UNDP/GEF Tisza Project identified in the Project Document are:
1. To integrate water quality, water quantity, land use, and biodiversity objectives within
integrated water resources/river basin management (IWRM/IRBM) under the legal
umbrella of the EU and ICPDR and;
2. To begin implementation of IWRM principles through the testing of new approaches on
wetland and floodplain management through community-based demonstration. The
community-level pilot activities will link to the development and implementation of an
agreed river basin management plan following the principles of IWRM and tested at the
regional/local level under the governance arrangements established for management of the
Tisza River Basin. The integration of water quality and quantity management is considered to
be a significantly innovative approach in the basin and the results of this will be utilised
elsewhere in the Danube River Basin through catalytic policies and actions of the ICPDR.
The overall Project was executed through two main components reflecting the above objectives:
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza


Component 1: Development of an Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan (ITRBMP),
Component 2: Implementing three demonstration projects at the sub-regional level to test
the principles of integration and to provide practical information for the ITRBMP.
The Project was implemented through UNDP and executed by UNOPS. The International Commission
for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) was contracted as an inter-governmental body to
manage the Project and provide a Project Management Unit (PMU). The Project worked closely with
the ICPDR’s Tisza Group on all activities and was heavily supported by National Experts drawn from
the Tisza Group and other national institutes.
The Project was under the supervision of a Project Steering Committee (PSC) that included ICPDR
Heads of Delegation from the Tisza River Basin countries, national representatives and experts,
UNDP, UNEP (Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention), EU (EC DG Env) and was chaired by
the Executive Secretary of the ICPDR. The PCU acted as the secretariat for the PSC.
The overall project budget and finances is indicated in the following table showing planned and final
budgets.
GEF
UNDP
Governments of Tisza Basin
ICPDR
EU
UNEP (Carpathian Convention)
Demonstration projects cofinancing:
Upper Tisza
Bodrog
ILD
Other (Coca Cola)
Total
Budget at ProDoc
k USD
1,000
200
400
100
180
50
Final Budget
k USD
1,000
200
404
100
220
53
0
0
0
0
1,930
90
75
25
55
2,222
During execution of the project additional co-financing/parallel financing was attracted to the
following activities:



Additional funding was provided to support the Integration Workshop by the Government of
Hungary, the EU and UNEP Carpathian Convention Secretariat.
The three demonstration projects attracted significant additional co-financing that was not
planned in the Project Document. Co-financing was introduced as a requirement of the
project grant to the demonstration projects.
In support of activities in the Upper Tisza Demonstration project on solid waste, Coca Cola
provided additional resources through a parallel but linked activity in Ukraine to further
support plastic waste reduction. This was supported by WWF (Germany) and executed
through the ICPDR.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
2 Component 1: Development and endorsement of an Integrated
River Basin Management Plan
2.1 Introduction
Component 1 focused on: Integration of water quality, water quantity, land-use and biodiversity
objectives within integrated water resources/river basin management under the legal umbrella of
the EU and the ICPDR.
As preparation for this project, agreed co-financing provided by the EU was used to undertake a
Tisza River Basin Analysis1 that was the basis for the preparation of the Integrated River Basin
Management Plan2. The Tisza River Basin Analysis was endorsed by the Tisza country Heads of
Delegation in December 2008.
The preparation of the Plan was supervised by the ICPDR Tisza Group under the co-ordination of the
PCU with the assistance of five National Experts supported by the project. The National Experts
prepared national strategies for pollution reduction, flood and drought mitigation and, a national
approach to integrating issues of water quantity / quality and land / water management. These
national reports were synthesised by the PCU into the basin wide Integrated River Basin
Management Plan for discussion by the ICPDR’s Tisza Group. Over the course of this Project, six
routine Tisza Group meetings and two ‘drafting’ group meetings were held to finalise the basin wide
Plan.
The Integrated River Basin Management Plan was approved by the Tisza Heads of Delegation in
December 2010 and formally endorsed by the Ministers from all five countries at a meeting in April
2011. In addition the Project supported the preparation of an overview summary (Journey to a
balanced Tisza Basin – An introduction to the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan) in
English and the five Tisza River Basin languages.
Component 1 comprised of four key activities:




Activity 1(i): – Development of a strategy for nutrient pollution reduction.
Activity 1(ii) – Development of a flood and drought mitigation strategy
Activity 1(iii) – Combination of Tisza River Basin strategies into an Integrated River Basin
Management Plan
Activity 1(iv) Dissemination and replication
2.2 Activity 1(i): – Development of a strategy for nutrient pollution
reduction.
Pollution Reduction Strategy (Strategy) for Tisza River Basin (TRB) has been developed in the frame
of Activity 1(i) of the project. The Strategy represents one the main outcomes of the UNDP-GEF
Medium-Size Project (MSP) and supported Tisza Group of the ICPDR in the development of the
Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan (ITRBMP).
1
2
Equivalent to the GEF IW Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA)
Equivalent to the GEF IW Strategic Action Programme (SAP)
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
It was developed through a collaborative process involving experts in the TRB in a recent finalized
assessment of pollution and related program of measures. The process used to generate this
Strategy places importance on the agreed Significant Water Management Issues and on the
relevance of integration of water quality and water quantity issues in the TRB.
The Strategy itself addresses several areas for pollution reductions from point sources and diffuse
sources, including accidental pollution, and it is designed to reduce pollution from organic, nutrients
and hazardous substances loads from current and future developments.
The pressures assessment is based on the country specific emissions regarding organic, nutrient and
hazardous substances pollution, and should be seen in relation to the respective countries’ share of
the TRB.
The strategy provides the basis for the Joint Programme of Measures that responds to all pollution
related pressures in response to organic, nutrients and hazardous substances pollution, in order to
achieve the agreed management objectives and vision on the basin-wide
2.3 Activity 1(ii) – Development of a flood and drought mitigation strategy
Under Activity 1 (ii) of the project national flood and drought mitigation strategies have been
developed, giving an overview on the ongoing activities of flood and drought management in the
Tisza countries. As a final output of this activity a basin wide strategy has been prepared.
To develop the overall sub basin strategy the countries in the Tisza Basin first set targets and then
defined measures to achieve those targets.
The Sub-Basin Level FAPs (Flood action programs/strategies) show a clear shift from the sole
structural measures to a combined use of structural and non-structural measures. The improvement
of natural retention capacities of the basins and the hazard reduction approach calls for a substantial
reconsideration of the relation between the land use and the
In relation to drought mitigation first it has to be stressed that the Tisza River Basin runoff is highly
variable – there are alternate periods of drought and flooding that are difficult to forecast and
manage effectively. The droughts of recent years, such as the drought of August 2003, had severe
effects in the region, particularly on the Hungarian Plain where agriculture was extremely affected.
The lack of water reduces not only agricultural activity, but also the development of industry and
urbanisation. Cities and other communities demand more water than the quantity available from
rainfall and it has always been difficult to get enough water for settlements far away from rivers.
In Ukraine drought, in contrast to floods, is not consider a major threat in the Zakarpattia region thus
no targets and measures are set by the Ukrainian government. The other four countries followed the
same procedure as with floods: they set targets and measures to achieve those targets. In spite of
this it can be seen that drought management in the Tisza countries is not as advanced as the flood
management.
The Tisza basin wide strategy created the basis of recommendations included in the final outcomes
of Component I – in the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
2.4 Activity 1(iii) – Combination of Tisza River Basin strategies into an
Integrated River Basin Management Plan
In the frame of activity 1 (iii) the following sub activities have been fulfilled:



Development of national strategies on integration
Outlining general concept towards integration issues to be further included in the overall
Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan – integration chapter
Development of the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan – combination of the
strategies
The ITRBM Plan summarizes pressures, indicates the status of the rivers of the Tisza River Basin,
outlines visions and management objectives and related Tisza Programme of Measures to reach
good water status in the Tisza River Basin by 2015.
The Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan is more than just a document; it represents a
commitment by all Tisza countries to implement the measures needed to achieve real integration
and coordinated sustainable development in the basin. The continued involvement by the ICPDR and
the Tisza Group will serve to monitor the progress of implementation and provide necessary support
for the international efforts.
On 11 April 2011, in Uzhgorod, Ukraine the Tisza Ministers and High Representatives of the
countries adopted the ITRBM Plan and updated the Memorandum of Understanding to express their
commitment to the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan and pledge to continue the
efforts needed to achieve its goals.
2.5 Activity 1(iv) Dissemination and replication
Summary document: (Journey to a balanced Tisza Basin – An introduction to the Integrated Tisza
River Basin Management Plan) has been developed in English and the five Tisza River Basin
languages
Workshops and Tisza Group meetings: Experts met every year two times to discuss the ITRBM Plan
and to reach common agreement on the content and final conclusions of strategies. Experts were
represented all the Tisza countries and the European Commission. In the frame of the project six
Tisza Group meetings, six UNDP/GEF Tisza project workshops, two stakeholder conference and
several public hearings, integration workshops and consultations were held and organized.
Lessons/experiences from demonstration projects: The Integrated Tisza River Basin Management
Plan includes outcomes of the demonstration project and considering lessons leant in its
recommendations.
Website: During the project period websites have been developed for public users as well as for
technical experts creating both public and internal sides.
Communication strategy: The main goal of this document is to develop a communication strategy to
assist with the dissemination and replication of the achievements of the UNDP/GEF Tisza Project and
the Tisza Group plus to be a guide to the on-going work of the Tisza Group. The material
incorporates comments and suggestions from the UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP Final Stakeholder Workshop
in April 2011.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
3 Component 2: Community-based Demonstration Projects
3.1 Introductions
Component 2 has been focusing on: Implementation of IWRM principles through the testing of new
approaches on wetlands and floodplain management through community-based demonstration
projects. An important objective of this component has been to provide ‘bottom-up’ practical
experiences and lessons on IWRM approaches to compliment the ‘top-down’ integrated river basin
management plan developed under Component 1. The lessons and practical experiences from the
demonstration projects were include in the Integrated River Basin Management Plan to further
spread the benefits of alternative land / water management approaches (especially with regards to
floodplains/wetlands) and to encourage replication.
Component 2 comprised of five key activities:





Activity 2(i): Identification of potential demonstration projects
Activity 2(ii): Agreement on priority projects to be implemented
Activity 2(iii): Implementation of demonstration projects
Activity 2(iv): Feedback and presentation of results
Activity 2(v): Development of replication strategy for demonstration projects
3.2 Activity 2(i): Identification of potential demonstration projects
Following the Inception phase of the project, a public call for project ideas was launched and
advertised on the UNDP and project website. Interested organisations were invited to submit a short
outline of project ideas linked to the objectives of the project, the needs of the ICPDR Tisza Group,
etc. using a template and guidance prepared by the PCU (Annex 4). 17 projects ideas were delivered
by the deadline with a further three post deadline (but still accepted for consideration
3.3 Activity 2(ii): Agreement on priority projects to be implemented
A committee, drawn from the participating partners, assessed the relevance of the projects to the
goals of the MSP using agreed criteria (also provided to the applicants in Annex XX) and deliver a
short-list of three demonstration projects for approval by the ICPDR Tisza Group. Through UNDP cofinancing an international consultant was recruited to work with the three demonstration project
teams to assist with developing full proposals including identifying co-finance to further assist the
projects. This assistance by UNDP was considered by all involved to have been highly beneficial. The
finalised and detailed project proposals were endorsed by the Project Steering Committee in
December 2008.
3.4 Activity 2(iii): Implementation of demonstration projects
In preparation for the contracting of the three demonstration projects, the PCU and UNDP provided
guidance on the required technical and financial reporting requirements. This included the project
managers’ participation at all the ICPDR Tisza Group events to ensure familiarity with the
development of the Integrated River Basin Management Plan and a good two-way communication
on the experiences and lessons from the demonstration projects to the Tisza Group.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
All three demonstration projects held an inception meeting in June/July 2009 and participated in the
following shared and individual events:





ICPDR’s Tisza Group Meetings (November 2009, April 2010, September 2010 and April 2011)
Participation in the UNDP/GEF Tisza Project Stakeholder Workshop (November 2009 – held
back-to-back with Tisza Group)
Participation at the joint Tisza Group/Project workshop on Integration (April 2010)
With UNDP co-finance support, organised three sub-regional workshops to bring the
conclusions of the Integration workshop to wider stakeholders (June/July 2010).
Participation at final project workshop (April 2011 – linked to the Ministerial Meeting and
ICPDR Tisza Group meeting).
The Upper Tisza Project completed its technical work in September 2010 and the Bodrog and ILD
projects in January 2011. The delay was due to poor weather conditions during the practical
implementation of the work.
The following summaries of the three demonstration projects have been taken from the Terminal
Evaluation Report for the Project.

Demonstration project: “Selected Measures Towards integrated Land and Water
Management in Upper Tisza, Ukraine”. This project was particularly successful in
demonstrating a variety of innovative and cost-effective solutions for typical environmental
problems faced by communities in the Upper Tisza floodplains. This component was further
subdivided into five additional sub-activities which varied both as to local stakeholders and
geographic location. These included:





Communal waste management system for the villages of Velyky Bychkiv in Ukraine and
Bocicoiu Mare in Romania.
A local Flood Risk Management Plan was developed and implemented for the village of
Velyky Bychkiv in Ukraine.
Physical cleaning of mountain stream, riverbed restoration and revitalization of lake
habitat, Ukraine and Romania.
Re-opening of water monitoring station in Kobyletska Polyana, Ukraine.
New low cost waste water treatment facility designed and constructed for local
orphanage and boarding school, Velyky Bychkiv, Ukraine.
This demonstration project was particularly notable for its exemplary implementation
success which the Evaluator believes can be directly attributed to several factors beginning
with the exceptional local project management team, the many faceted levels of
enthusiastic community support (private and public), together with the full backing of the
local village mayor of Velyky Bychkiv.

Demonstration project: “Making Space for Water in the Bodrog River basin”. This project’s
main objective was to mitigate the consequences of flooding through consistent and holistic
management of flood risk in Bodrog river basin countries, Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary.
The project managed to achieve varying degrees of success by creating partnerships
between national and local level stakeholders through the development of a strategy for
flood mitigation and offering sustainable solutions for flood prevention. Some delivery
setbacks were encountered when site venues needed to be changed and exceptionally
7
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
inclement weather and flooding conditions occurred during project implementation. The
project also highlighted the particular challenges faced by local communities where local
environmental initiatives are in competition with over arcing economic policies which inhibit
acceptance of sacrifice for the public good. Nonetheless the project was important for its
successful demonstration of broad stakeholder involvement and the introduction, in some
regions, of the concept of public hearings and mobilizing public participation. These latter
attributes particularly favour the long term sustainability of project outcomes and
concurrent expectations for replicability.

Demonstration project: “Integrated land development (ILD) program to improve land use
and water management efficiency in the Tisza basin”. This project had a threefold
objective consisting of the need to: (1) develop a comprehensive ILD manual, (2) select
specific pilot sites to demonstrate the practical implementation of the ILD approach in
Hungary and in the Republic of Serbia and Romania where similar partner organisations
were active; and (3) disseminate the information gathered, the experiences gained and the
results obtained to the benefit the Tisza basin as a whole and the wider Danube basin
community. Viewed objectively, and in hindsight, the project was felt to be too ambitious in
scope both for the time allotted and the limited resources available. Moreover the project
suffered a major setback due to the untimely illness and death of the local project manager
who had conceived the project and had provided the initial design. Remedial action taken by
the MSP PIU team and the hiring of an outside consultant enabled the project to achieve its
objectives in modified form. While the project has undeniably produced a very valuable ILD
manual, it may be argued that the more valuable outcome was the project’s inadvertent
success in identifying the full range of problems surrounding the state of ILD acceptance in
the Tisza basin countries. The list of barriers and opportunities is a comprehensive one and
includes social, ideological, legal and institutional issues, - all of which, taken together,
create a very good baseline which lends itself for further government action and donor
attention.
3.5 Activity 2(iv): Feedback and presentation of results
A final workshop (linked to the Ministerial Meeting that endorsed the Integrated River Basin
Management Plan and the ICPDR’s Tisza Group Meeting) was organised to present both the final
Plan and the lessons from the demonstration projects. The workshop (Uzghorod, April 2011)
involved a wide range of local and regional stakeholders and also provided a forum for the
presentation of the ‘Communication Strategy’ developed by the project.
3.6 Activity 2(v): Development of replication strategy for demonstration
projects
A Communication Strategy was developed by the Project to cover both dissemination to
stakeholders of the work of the Project and to facilitate the replication of project activities. The
Strategy was presented and discussed at the Tisza Group Meeting (April 2011). This Strategy has
been adopted by the Tisza Group and will be further refined to assist with their future
communication activities proving a beneficial legacy from the UNDP/GEF Project.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
4 Project Management
A Project Management Unit (PCU) was established within the ICPDR’s Secretariat based in Vienna.
The PCU comprised of a part-time Project Manager and a full-time project expert. The PCU was
extensively supported by the ICPDR’s Financial Manager and the ICPDR’s Technical Expert for
Pollution Management when required. All financial and contractual procedures were under the
guidance of the ICPDR.
All required project reports (technical, reporting and financial) were either prepared by, or approved
by the PCU.
The project maintained a website on the ICPDR’s site to ensure consistency with the on-going work
of the Tisza Group. Whilst this did not utilise the GEF IW:LEARN templates the main objective was to
ensure the ICPDR’s and Tisza Group’s stakeholders had regular access to the information
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
5 Monitoring and Evaluation
5.1 Internal
Reports: As planned in the ProDoc, the project prepared:



Brief quarterly reports and risk matrix assessments for UNDP.
Annual Progress Reports / Project Implementation Reviews (APR/PIR) for UNDP
Detailed yearly reports for UNOPS on progress.
Project Steering Committee: The Project presented progress and future activities to an annual
Project Steering Committee comprised of the Tisza Countries Heads of Delegation to the ICPDR, Tisza
experts (as identified by the Heads of Delegation), UNDP, UNEP (Interim Secretariat of the
Carpathian Convention), European Commission and ICPDR experts. The PSC was chaired by the
Executive Secretary of the ICPDR. Minutes of the meetings are available on the project website
5.2 External
Following guidance from UNDP and GEF the Project underwent a mid-term evaluation (November
2009) and a terminal evaluation (May 2011).
Mid-Term Evaluation
UNOPS and UNDP developed a ToR and recruited an expert (Alexander Zinke) to undertake a midterm evaluation of the Project. In support of this activity UNDP also recruited an expert to provide a
detailed assessment of the activities of the three demonstration projects which was mainly aimed at
providing targeted advice to the demonstration projects but also provide valuable input to the MTE
of the UNDP/GEF Tisza Project.
The reports prepared for the MTE and the assessment of the demonstration projects are available
on the project website.
UNDP in collaboration with the PCU undertook a Management Review of the actions listed in the
MTE and prepared a response for implementation by the project. All actions were implemented by
the PCU.
Terminal Evaluation
UNOPS and UNDP developed a ToR and recruited an expert (Lubomyr Markevych) to undertake the
Terminal Evaluation of the Project. The evaluator participated at the Ministerial Meeting (Uzghorod,
Ukraine – April 2011) and visited the Upper Tisza demonstration project.
The Terminal Evaluation is available on the Project website in summary it quoted:
The Evaluation finds the overall Results rating for the project to be Satisfactory. The three main
components of the Results rating -- Relevance, Effectiveness and Efficiency -- received “Highly
Satisfactory,” “Satisfactory” and “Satisfactory” ratings respectively.
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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
The Evaluation considered Sustainability with respect to project Outcomes and the Four Main
Dimensions of Sustainability (Financial, Socio-political, Institutional/Governance, and
Environmental). The likelihood of sustainability for project Outcomes is rated Likely and the
likelihood of sustainability with respect to the four dimensions is rated Moderately Likely. The
project’s Monitoring and Evaluation work is rated Satisfactory.
Summary of the ratings of the project.
Project Aspect
Overall Result:
Rating
Satisfactory
Results breakdown:
- Relevance
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
Highly Satisfactory
Highly Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Sustainability
- Sustainability of Outcomes
- Four dimensions of Sustainability
Likely
Moderately Likely
M&E System
Satisfactory
5.3 Lessons Learnt highlighted by the Terminal Evaluation
 The projects offered alternative water steering opportunity taken into account the original
morphological features of the disconnected, inactive (“protected”) floodplain
 The interventions of the pilot demonstration projects serves as a good example of floodplain
restoration and originates better flood control conditions by creating temporary “space” for
water during flood events and in time these measures are improving habitat conditions (e.g.
water regime) and creating new opportunities in connection to agricultural use.
 The projects involved wide range of stakeholders (environmental scientist, flood experts,
waste management expert as well as local citizens) initiating cooperation between the
different fields of integrated river basin management and demonstrating in practice the
often abstract `terms` of “transboundary river basin management”, “ecosystem
rehabilitation (as well as “waste management” in case of the Upper Tisza project)
 The stakeholder workshops and meetings enabled to strengthen understanding of linkages
between the demonstration projects and the ITRBM Plan.
 Experiences showed that early involvement of local stakeholders in the design process
helped to find consensus among the partners and helped the designer to submit the plan for
license in time.
 Other experiences highlighted, however, that willingness of farmers to cooperate is highly
depending on ownership situation and agro-environment subsidies which, in several cases
are de-motivating farmers to change arable land to grass land or wetlands.
 Any real progress can only be made when water management approaches are fully
integrated with a complete paradigm shift in land use practices and patterns, mostly on
agricultural land
 Such “simple” solutions can be implemented in other sub-river basins as well
11
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 1
Outputs and Deliverables
Component 1
Activity
1 (iii)
1(ii)
Title
Integration strategy:
A) NATIONAL SCALE
Integration of water quality and quantity issues
in the TRB - Ukrainian national report
Integration of water quality and quantity issues
in the TRB - Romanian national report
Integration of water quality and quantity issues
in the TRB - Slovakian national report
Integration of water quality and quantity issues
in the TRB - Hungarian national report
Integration of water quality and quantity issues
in the TRB - Serbian national report
B) TISZA BASIN WIDE SCALE
Summary document of the ITRBM Plan
(developed in five languages)
Summary report of integration workshop background documents - 6 (also relevant for
component 2)
Background Paper (BP1): Integrating multiple
benefits of wetlands and floodplains into
improved transboundary management for the
Tisza River Basin
Background Paper (BP2):Sustainable agriculture
and forestry
for the Tisza River Basin
minimizing impacts on water quality and
quantity
Background Paper (BP3): Accidental Pollution in
the Tisza River Basin
Background Paper (BP4): Hydromorphological
impacts of flood protection measures for the
Tisza River Basin
Background Paper (BP5): Water pricing policies
in agriculture to limit demands
Background Paper (BP6): Proposal to Establish
a Joint, Streamlined Multi-level Action Planning
Procedure for Managing Drought in the Tisza
River Basin
ITRBM Plan – Final adopted version (including
maps and annexes)
Policy paper – Memorandum of Understanding
Strengthening of Tisza River Basin cooperation
Towards the implementation of the Integrated
Tisza River Basin Management Plan supporting
the sustainable development of the region
Flood and Drought mitigation strategy
A) NATIONAL SCALE
Sub-Basin Level Flood Action Program - Ukraine
Location (www)
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.ecologic-events.eu/tisza/index.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
Published for internal uses only
12
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Activity
1(i)
Title
Flood & Drought Mitigation Strategy – Tisza
River Basin - National Report Romania
Flood & Drought mitigation strategy – Tisza
River Basin - Slovakian National Report
Flood & Drought mitigation strategy – Tisza
River Basin - Hungarian National report
Draft National Flood and Drought mitigation
strategy Report for the Tisza River Basin Republic of Serbia B) TISZA BASIN WIDE SCALE
Flood and Drought mitigation strategy for the
TRB
Pollution reduction strategy
A) NATIONAL SCALE
Data collection into DANUBEGIS and MONERIS
model (country by country)
B) TISZA BASIN WIDE SCALE
Pollution reduction strategy for the TRB
Location (www)
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
Published for internal uses only
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/item20100621095910.htm
http://www.danubegis.org/public/Default.faces
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/item20100621095910.htm
Component 2
Activity
2 (i)
Title
List of project ideas
Location (www)
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/integrated_land_developm
ent.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/ukraine_kick_off_meeting.
htm
2 (ii)
Project proposal of three short listed projects
Minutes of the 1st Stakeholder workshop and 1st PSC
meeting
2 (iii)
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/bodrog_kick_off_meeting.
htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/integrated_land_developm
ent.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/ukraine_kick_off_meeting.
htm
Summary reports/minutes of kick-off meetings of the three
short listed project
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr13
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Activity
Title
Monitoring and evaluation report - Mid term
Location (www)
pages/bodrog_kick_off_meeting.
htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/integrated_land_developm
ent.htm
Final report of the demonstration projects
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/ukraine_kick_off_meeting.
htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/bodrog_kick_off_meeting
2 (iv)
Final Stakeholder workshop (minutes)
1(iv)
2(v)
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
–
Dissemination
Brochure/2011: Journey to a balanced Tisza basin (An
introduction to the ITRBM Plan – Summary document) published in five languages
Brochure/2009: Towards Integrated Water Management in
the Tisza River Basin
Background - Danube Watch 2007/3 - Article - Tisza and
Carpathian highlights at Europe`s Environment Conference
Danube Watch 2008/1 - NEWS - GEF establishes new
project in the Tisza River Basin
Danube Watch 2008/2 - ARTICLE - The Tisza River Basin
gets a new focus on wetlands
Danube Watch 2009/3-4 - ARTICLE - The Tisza Group
experts and stakeholders head towards the Plan
Danube Watch 2011 – ARTICLE - Tisza River Basin
Management: successful cooperation from the ground up
Articles (2) in Ukrainian newspapers about the UNDP/GEF
Tisza MSP
Upper Tisza project - movie
website
(1):
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
website
(2
internal
with
password):
http://danubis.icpdr.org/pls/danubis/DANUBIS_DB.DYN_N
AVIGATOR.show
Posters of the demonstration projects
Tisza River Basin Communication Strategy (for the
communication of the main conclusions, lessons learnt and
measures based on the outcomes of the work of the Tisza
Group and the UNDP/GEF Tisza project )
Experiment notes - Development and Endorsement of an
International River Basin Management Plan
Experiment notes - Plastic waste – a very visible indicator
of pollution
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/dw0703_p_10.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/dw0801_p_02.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/dw0802_p_10.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/dw0903_p_11.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/dw1101_p_11.htm
Published in printed newspapers
and magazine
Disseminated in DVD format
N/A
N/A
Introduced and showed
relevant meetings, workshops
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
in
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
http://www.icpdr.org/icpdrpages/tisza_undp_gef.htm
14
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 2:
Meetings and Workshops
Date of the meeting
2008
16-17 January 2008
11 June 2008
21-22
April
and
5 May 2008
24 September 2008
2009
26 January 2009
16 February 2009
20 February 2009
25 March 2009
24-25 March 2009
09 April 2009
10-12 June 2009
15-16 June 2009
1-2 July 2009
17-18
September
2009
26-30 October 2009
12-13
November
2009
27 November 2009
9 December 2009
2010
20 January 2010
28 January 2010
29 January 2010
16 February 2010
12 March 2010
25 March 2010
1 April 2010
26-27 April 2010
10-11 May 2010
Title of the meeting
Tisza Group / MSP workshop preparatory meeting
Kick of meeting of the project
Project management meetings
Workshop (back to back with the 11th Tisza Group
meeting)
2nd PSC meeting of the project
Preparatory meeting for the 12th Tisza Group meeting
and Integration workshop
Task meeting on flood and drought related issues
(VITUKI)
Stakeholder meeting in Hungary – project dissemination
- Kárpátok – Tisza International Development
Association)
International conference on `Solid communal waste
treatment and preventing transboundary water
pollution`Meeting with UNDP/GEF La Plata project to brief visitors
on UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP and UNDP/GEF Danube
Regional Project co-ordinated by IWLEARN
2nd Workshop of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project back to
back with the 12th Tisza Group meeting
Kick of meeting of Bodrog and Upper Tisza projects
Kick of meeting of ILD project
TICAD Kick of meeting – dissemination of UNDP/GEF
project activities
Editing Group meeting (Integration strategy)
Place
Vienna, Austria
Belgrade, Serbia
Vienna, Bratislava,
Austria/Slovakia
Kosice, Slovakia
Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria
Budapest, Hungary
Tokaj, Hungary
Nyíregyháza,
Hungary
Vienna/Budapest,
Austria/Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Uzhgorod, Velyky
Bychkyv, Ukraine
Senta, Serbia
Tiszafüred,
Hungary
Vienna, Austria
UNDP/GEF meeting
13th Tisza Group meeting and UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP
workshop
TICAD meeting in VÁTI
3rd PSC meeting
Cairn, Australia
Kosice, Slovakia
1st Preparatory meeting related to the Integration
workshop (meeting with Marieke van Nood - EU DG
Environment)
STIRD Kick off meeting – Discussion on Tisza related
issues
Meeting with Hungarian Tisza experts (Ministry of
Environment)
Ministerial Meeting for the Danube (Tisza Statement)
Meeting in Hungary with experts – preparatory meeting
related to the integration workshop (KvVM, VKKI)
2nd Preparatory meeting related to the Integration
workshop (meeting with Marieke van Nood - EU DG
Environment)
TICAD meeting
UNDP/GEF Tisza project Workshop on Integration back
to back with the 14th Tisza Group meeting
UNECE – Climate change meeting
Brussels, Belgium
Budapest, Hungary
Vienna, Austria
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Vienna, Austria
Budapest, Hungary
Brussels, Belgium
Budapest, Hungary
Szolnok, Hungary
Geneva,
15
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Date of the meeting
Title of the meeting
13-15 June 2010
Integration workshop of the ILD project
24-26 June 2010
Integration workshop of the Upper Tisza project
30
September/1
October
25-28 October 2010
23-24
November
2010
8 December 2010
2011
15-16 February 2011
24-25 March 2011
15th Tisza Group meeting
11 April 2011
12 April 2011
12-13 April 2011
19 May 2011
16-17 June 2011
Place
Switzerland
Nagykörü,
Hungary
Velyky
Byckyv,
Ukraine
Peer to peer exchange of the LivingWater project
Climate change conference
Uzhgorod, Ukraine
Brussels, Belgium
4th PSC meeting of the project
Vienna, Austria
Preparatory meeting for the Tisza Ministerial meeting
TICAD Conference – presentation about the Tisza River
Basin Activities (UNDP/GEF Tisza project and Tisza
Group)
Tisza Ministerial meeting
16th Tisza Group meeting
UNDP/GEF Tisza Project Final Stakeholder meeting
Follow-up project preparation meeting (VÁTI/TICAD)
Final presentation about the UNDP/GEF Tisza project in
the frame of the 9th STWG of the ICPDR
Kiev, Ukraine
Budapest, Hungary
Uzhgorod, Ukraine
Uzhgorod, Ukraine
Uzhgorod, Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine
16
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 3:
Consultants
Component 1
Consultant
Alexei Iarochevitch
Activity
1 (i-iii)
Jaroslav Cerni Institut
1 (i-iii)
VITUKI – János Fehér
1 (i-iii)
CESEP
1 (i-iii)
Oana Islam
1 (iv), 2(v)
Final Output
The consultant was nominated by the Ukrainian Ministry
to facilitate and help the preparation of strategies and
dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project.
Main final outputs:
 National Flood and Drought Strategy
 National Strategy on Integration
 National P-reduction strategy
 Development of Hydromorphology related
chapters of the ITRBMP
 Translation of dissemination materials
 Contribution, participation and presentations in
relevant meetings of the UNPD/GEF Tisza project
The consultant was nominated by the Serbian Ministry to
facilitate and help the preparation of strategies and
dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project.
Main final outputs:
 National Flood and Drought Strategy
 National Strategy on Integration
 National P-reduction strategy
 Development of Groundwater related chapters of
the ITRBMP
 Translation of dissemination materials
 Contribution, participation and presentations in
relevant meetings of the UNPD/GEF Tisza project
The consultant was nominated by the Hungarian Ministry
to facilitate and help the preparation of strategies and
dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project.
Main final outputs:
 National Flood and Drought Strategy
 National Strategy on Integration
 Development of Status assessment related
chapters of the ITRBMP
 Translation of dissemination materials
 Contribution, participation and presentations in
relevant meetings of the UNPD/GEF Tisza project
The consultant was nominated by the Romanian Ministry
to facilitate and help the preparation of strategies and
dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project.
Main final outputs:
 National Flood and Drought Strategy
 National Strategy on Integration
 Pollution Reduction Strategy
 Development of Economic and JPM chapters of
the ITRBMP
 Contribution, participation and presentations in
relevant meetings of the UNPD/GEF Tisza project
Development of Dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF
Tisza Project (Final Summary document and ILD summary –
17
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Consultant
Activity
Boris Minarik
1 (i-iii)
Natali Cristl
1 (iv), 2(v)
Sonja Seizova
1 (iv), 2(v)
Marcus Venhor
1 (i), 1 (iii)
Alexander Zinke
1 (iii)
Thomas Hein
1 (iii)
Kirstie Shepherd
1 (iv), 2(v)
János Szabó
1 (ii)
Béla Borsos
1 (iv), 2(v)
Final Output
translation and design)
The consultant was nominated by the Slovakian Ministry
to facilitate and help the preparation of strategies and
dissemination materials of the UNDP/GEF Tisza project.
Main final outputs:
 National Flood and Drought Strategy
 National Strategy on Integration
 Translation
of
dissemination
materials
Development of Management objectives and
Exemptions related chapters of the ITRBMP
 Contribution, participation and presentations in
relevant meetings of the UNPD/GEF Tisza project
Development of Dissemination material of the UNDP/GEF
Tisza Project (Articles and news to be disseminated in
Ukrainian newspapers)
Development of Dissemination material of the UNDP/GEF
Tisza Project (Final Summary document and ILD summary –
translation and design)
Nutrient pollution related scenarios
 Calculation/results of nutrient scenarios and
pollution reduction effects by 2015 for the TRB
and separately in the TRB countries
o Calculation of nitrogen and phosphorus
emissions in the TRB in relation to the
scenarios
o Reference situation and calculated
baseline scenario – nutrients 2015
 Estimation of effects of national measures on the
basin wide scale related to nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution
 Comparison with the DRB results – evaluation of
the contribution of the TRB in the DRB and Black
Sea nutrient pollution and expert judgement on
the most effective measures country by country.
Preparation of a presentation to the April workshop and
Tisza Group meeting (26-28 April 2010)
Background Paper (BP3): Accidental Pollution in the Tisza
River Basin
Background Paper (BP1): Integrating multiple benefits of
wetlands and floodplains into improved transboundary
management for the Tisza River Basin
Proofreading of ITRBMP; writing the Tisza Summary
document
Background Paper (BP6): Proposal to Establish a Joint,
Streamlined Multi-level Action Planning Procedure for
Managing Drought in the Tisza River Basin
Communication strategy for the further dissemination of
UNDP/GEF Project lessons learnt and outcomes of the
ICPDR Tisza Group activities
18
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Component 2
Global
Slovakia
Consultant
Water Partnership
Activity
- 2(iii)
Alliance for Living Tisza (ALT SZÖVET)
2(iii)
Zakarpattya Oblast organization
of All-Ukrainian Ecological
League
2(iii)
Final Output
Project main outputs
 Formulation of the “Strategy for mitigation of
floods for Bodrog River Basin countries”.
 Improvement of conditions of original floodplains
and wetlands affected by current land uses and
environmentally inappropriate flood protection
measures.
(Pilot
demonstration
projects,
interventions carried out serve as a good example
of floodplain restoration, increase conditions for
flood control formulated, with view to create
temporary “space” for water during flood events.)
Project main outputs:
 Landscape strategy
 Barriers and opportunities
 ILD Manual
 Legal review checklist and questionnaire
(Hungarian and English)
 ILD comparative legal assessment (in Hungarian)
 ILD Legal review (English)
 List of ILD pilot site land survey documents (Land
survey deliverables.doc)
 ILD Toolkit contents (ILD toolkit konc4 BB-BP
vég.doc)
 ILD Summary in English and in Hungarian
 Project main outputs
 by involvements of two villages on both side of
Tisza the project restored relations and practically
supported Ukrainian-Romanian cooperation at
local level, which is an important element of
successful implementation of the RBM,

the project practically showed how to establish
sustainable local waste management system and
supported first PET bottles recycling unit in
Ukrainian part of the Upper Tisza, supporting the
decrease of pollution by communal waste of
water courses;
 the project showed low-cost and simple methods
to mitigate local floods consequences in the
villages (such an sediments trapper construction
and enlargement of the space on bottle-necks
under bridges);
 for the first time in Ukraine flood hazard and
flood risk maps following the requirements of EU
Flood Directive were established. Later this
experience was further disseminated at national
and international levels.
 the project took simple and easy actions
regarding restoration of the mountains creeks
after forest cutting. As a result, we have healthy
ecosystem and even fish returned back to the
creek. The methodology developed and tested
19
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Consultant
Activity
Final Output



was provided to the State Forestry Commitee to
become a basic for the relevant legal act.
the project support biodiversity studies on the
lakes and gave recommendations how to avoid
overgrowing of the lake by plants.
the project created automatic gauging station at
Shopurka river, (tributary of Tisza, not covered
previously by the monitoring station). The data
are visible on-line for Ukrainian and Romanian
colleagues at http://gmc.uzhgorod.ua This way
monitoring system of both countries was
strengthened.
the project promoted installation quite cheap and
easy in operation local wastewater treatment
facilities with biological cleaning, whose
application will lead to decrease of untreated
wastewaters entering Tisza, which corresponds to
the goals of RBM.
20
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 4 – Demonstration Project Call
CALL FOR PROJECT IDEAS
IN HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA, SLOVAKIA AND UKRAINE
in the frame of the UNDP/GEF project
Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved
trans-boundary management for the Tisza River Basin
The purpose of the Call is to identify several project ideas, which could be further developed
into full project proposals, with the support of the UNDP/GEF project, and submitted for
UNDP/GEF funding.
Background
The Tisza River is the largest tributary of the Danube River Basin and includes part of the territory of
Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Romania and Republic of Serbia. Over the last 150 years the basin
has been subject to significant anthropogenic impacts that have resulted in a significantly degraded
system, particularly in terms of pollution and the loss of floodplains and wetlands. In addition,
predictions indicate that future growth of agriculture, coupled with climatic changes that already
produce record flooding, will increase pressures on the available water resources. These problems
require a concerted action by all the Tisza River Basin countries to develop and implement a more
ecosystem-based approach to integrated river basin management and to address, as a priority,
wetlands and floodplain restoration and management.
The UNDP/GEF project will provide support in developing an integrated strategy for water quality
and water quantity that is incremental to the current work. The UNDP/GEF project will also
implement demonstration projects that test the multiple environmental benefits of wetlands to
mitigate impacts of floods and droughts and help to reduce nutrient pollution. Implementation of
demonstration projects will showcase concrete advantages of an integrated land and water resource
management at the community-level that will also lead to improved livelihoods of local
communities. The results will also be an important step in delivering changes to current policies on
wetlands and floodplains in the Tisza River Basin. The practical work will be undertaken through local
organizations.
The project will be organized under the umbrella of the ICPDR as this organization is responsible for
the management of the whole Danube River Basin and has established the ‘Tisza Group’ to manage
the Tisza River Basin. In addition to the ICPDR, GEF and UNDP, the main project partners are the
national governments of the Tisza River Basin, the United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP)
and the European Commission.
The Carpathian Convention addresses the need for coordinated sustainable development
throughout the Carpathian region, which includes significant portions of the Tisza Basin.
21
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Integrated land and water management
The integrated ecosystem management considers linkages and interactions among natural systems
and people, including economic and social factors. It integrates economic and social factors into
ecosystem management goals. It includes land use harmonized with existing natural conditions,
which beside maintenance of the landscape and natural habitats, ensures livelihood of the local
community. Integrated ecosystem management includes sustainable land use activities, which
respect the diversity of habitats, while oriented to economic profitability, as in case of any other
land use activities.
The integrated land and water management harmonizes the land use with natural water level
fluctuation. It integrates the water quality, water quantity, land use and biodiversity objectives to
ensure sustainability.
Additionally the Carpathian Convention’s objectives are closely linked to aims of the UNDP/GEF Tisza
project, and Article 6 of the Convention specifically contains provisions for "Sustainable and
integrated water/river basin management".
Eligibility criteria
1. Relevance to priority concerns in the Tisza river basin
a. water quality and quantity
b. nutrient & hazardous substance pollution,
c. flood protection,
d. loss of floodplains
2. Trans-boundary involvement and benefits;
3. Local community involvement and interest (from a wide range of stakeholders);
4. Support of local / national administrations;
5. Local benefits of implementing projects (e.g. tourism, minimizing damage from floods, etc.);
6. High benefits for biodiversity – species or habitats
7. Existing project underway or in advanced stage of planning which could be supplemented by
UNDP/GEF project;
8. Lack of planning approval problems;
9. Availability of national or international resources (cash or in-kind) to co-finance UNDP/GEF
budget;
10. Maximum project duration 18 months
11. Sustainability post-project;
12. Approach can be replicated elsewhere in Tisza/Danube river basins – and wider;
Projects ideas will be ranked for each criterion as follows:
-
for criteria 1-6 ranked from 1 to 5 (1- weak; 5 strong);
For criteria 7-12 ranked from 1-3 (1- weak; 3 strong).
Eligible activities
Examples of eligible activities include management activities and small-scale investments in the
following areas:
22
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza


Management and restoration of habitats (related to water regime and water quality, and
agricultural use, including pasture, forestry, fishing, etc.)
Processing and marketing of traditional local products, which have been produced using
sustainable land management practices
Elaboration of plans might be also considered, if followed by implementation of concrete activities.
Complementary or mirror projects representing a harmonized initiative in the trans-boundary region
involving 2-3 participating countries are eligible. Initiatives might include individual projects or
micro-grant schemes for a specific micro-region. Initiatives might submit one joint application, or
apply separately, indicating the complementary or mirror project(s) in the other country(ies).
Grant available
The total grant available is 350.000 USD. Number of supported project will depend on the ideas
presented. It is expected that 2-4 trans-boundary initiatives will be funded, each representing a
different trans-boundary region.
Application procedure
The project idea can be submitted (format attached in Annex 1) by local and/or regional
governmental, non-governmental or private organization, in partnership with wide range of local
stakeholders. Partnership with a local civil society organization and local government will be
considered as an asset. Local stakeholders should be represented, among others, by local
entrepreneurs, other civil society organizations, state and public organizations.
A long-list of projects with highest ranking, maximum 2 for each bilateral or tri-lateral cross-border
region, will be submitted for approval to the Tisza Group.
The Tisza Group will select the short-list of project ideas to be developed further into project
proposals. Technical assistance will be provided from the UNDP project (in particular, but also from
other project partners) to support the elaboration of project proposals. Priority will be given to
projects representing different trans-boundary areas.
Representatives of 5 participating countries – National Governments -, GEF, UNDP, International
Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), UNEP and UNOPS will evaluate the
project proposals and approve the award of grant for the implementation of selected demonstration
projects.
Deadline for submission of project ideas:
22 August 2008
Dissemination of `Call for project ideas` (present proposal) – uploaded to the
http://www.icpdr.org/undp-gef-tisza website as well as will be sent directly to interested
organizations
14 July 2008
Deadline for the `Call for project ideas`
12 September 2008
23
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Selection of project ideas - agree on a shortlist of projects based on the selection criteria
(ICPDR Tisza Group together with the UNDP/GEF Tisza project in the frame of the project
workshop held back to back with the ICPDR Tisza Group meeting in September)
Assisting selected projects to develop project proposal including detailed workplan, budget
and indicators (in particular UNDP will assist the short-listed projects further develop their
ideas in to more detailed proposals.)
The detailed proposals will be presented at a stakeholder workshop to seek feedback and
comment, and enable refinement of the concepts.
Formal approval on grant award (the 'final' proposals will be presented to the UNDP/GEF
Tisza Project Steering Committee in December)
Start of demonstration projects implementation
Completion of demonstration projects implementation
23-24 September 2008 (Kosice,
SK)
September – November 2008
November (date to be agreed)
December 2008
1st quarter 2009
Autumn 2010
Applicants are requested to please send in hard copy or electronic versions of project ideas in
English in the attached format to:
Ms. Klara Tothova
Country Support Team
UNDP Regional Centre
Grosslingova 35
811 09 Bratislava
klara.tothova@undp.org
as well as to
Ms. Diana Heilmann
ICPDR – UNDP/GEF Technical Project Assistant
ICPDR
1220 Vienna/Austria
Wagramer Strasse 5
Diana.heilmann@unvienna.org
24
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 1
PROJECT IDEA APPLICATION FORMAT
in the frame of the UNDP/GEF project
Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved trans-boundary
management for the Tisza River Basin
I General information
Project title
Project summary
Project area
Requested grant
Available co-financing
Source:
Amount:
Project duration
Relevance with other
application in the
transboundary region
Project title:
Name of applicant:
(max. 5 sentences)
(municipality, county/region, any other relevant area description)
USD
USD
(max 18 months)
YES / NO
II Applicant information
Name of applicant
Type of organization
Brief description of
organization mission
Recent activities relevant
to the project
Contact person
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
e-mail:
web-site:
Project partners
Name:
Type of organization:
Brief description of
activities:
Role in the project:
(max. 3 sentences)
(most important in last 3 years)
(add new line for each partner)
III Project information
25
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
(max. 3 pages)
a) Describe the problem(s) this project intends to address. What would happen without UNDP/GEF
support?
b) Outline the project objective, activities and outputs.
c) Describe how the sustainability of project results will be ensured.
d) Describe the potential for replication elsewhere.
e) Summarize activities, programs and projects being undertaken by other organizations that could
influence your project, and how your project could collaborate with them.
f) List the project partners that have been already approached and agreed on the cooperation.
Describe their role in the project.
g) List potential donors and in-kind contributors to project activities.
h) Estimate timeline and budget summary.
26
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 5:
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Overall objective:
Integrated River
Basin Management
Plans adopted in all
countries
Project Achievement against Logframe
Description of
Indicator
Adoption of an
integrated plan by
2011
Replication
strategy
Baseline Level
Target Level
3 EU countries
introduce WFD
RBM plan by
2009
All 5 countries accept
a basin-wide
integrated
management plan by
2011
No strategy
Strategy available
Level at 30 June
2011
All 5 countries use a
harmonised
methodology for
data collection,
reporting and
evaluation in line
with new EU
reporting schemes
for the development
of the ITRBM Plan
ITRBM Plan
approved by Tisza
Heads of Delegation
(December 2010)
and endorsed by
Ministers from all
countries (April
2011).
Exchange of views
and knowledge
between EU and
non EU countries in
the TRB on the work
carried out to
develop the ITRBM
Plan
Included in a
Communication
Strategy prepared
by the Project and
accepted by the
Tisza Group as the
main vehicle to
assist
replication/dissemin
ation.
27
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Description of
Indicator
Dissemination
strategy
Regional and
National IRBM
plans endorsed
Outcome 1:
Adoption of policies
and legislation within
Tisza countries that
promote the use of
wetlands/floodplains
for flood mitigation,
nutrient retention,
biodiversity
enhancement and
social amenity value
improvement
consistent with the
EU WFD and IWRM
National budget
allocation for IRBM
plans
Baseline Level
Target Level
No strategy
Strategy available
No plans for
IRBM
Budget available
in EU countries
All 5 countries accept
a basin-wide
integrated
management plan by
2011
All countries follow on
the Agreement of
2004 to work
together for the
ITRBMP
Level at 30 June
2011
Lessons available to
the DRB considering
the scale and details
of the investigations
and added values
compared to the
DRBMP
Included in a
Communication
Strategy prepared
by the Project and
accepted by the
Tisza Group as the
main vehicle to
assist
replication/dissemin
ation.
Commitment to
work together and
share the same
methodological
approach for both
EU and non EU
countries
ITRBM Plan
approved by Tisza
Heads of Delegation
(December 2010)
and endorsed by
Ministers from all
countries (April
2011).
The TRB countries
continue to work
together and
financially support
the experts active
involvement in the
work under the coordination of the
ICPDR and TIsza
Group
28
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Description of
Indicator
Nutrient and
flood/drought
strategies adopted
Baseline Level
Target Level
No strategy
Strategy adopted by
all 5 countries
Recommendations for
future legislation on
the integration of
flood and draughts
issues
Operation of the
Tisza Group
confirmed
Inter-ministerial
processes
established or
strengthened
No strategy
Strategy adopted by
all 5 countries
Work
programme
Work programme
implemented
Coordination
mechanisms in
place to
implement the
strategies
In all 5 countries the
inter-ministerial
mechanism exists and
functions
Level at 30 June
2011
Prioritisation of
issues according to
the individual
countries based on
an agreed scheme
Tisza Group
continues to
develop/ refine
approach for
implementation
Active participation
at meetings and
support of the work
with contributions
and comments
Future of the Tisza
Group confirmed
through agreement
of revised MoU by
Tisza Ministers (April
2011)
Discussions and get
familiar with the
topic and suggest
issue for inclusions
such as integration
quantity and quality
29
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Description of
Indicator
Reduced nutrient
pollution, reduced
flooding of urban
areas and
improved recharge
of groundwaters
through increase in
the length of active
floodplains and the
area of connected
wetlands
Baseline Level
Target Level
The potential of
reconnection of
22 wetlands
located in
Hungary and
Serbia. An area
of 77 km2 of
wetlands will be
connected.
Current plus 10% of
wetland and flood
plan potential for
reconnection
For the 2015
baseline
scenario a
number of 728
agglom. with
11,316,431 p.e
generated will
have at least
secondary
treatment in
place. 7
agglomerations
will have N+P
removal by
2015.
Technical
assistance
BAP manure
storage in place,
buffer stripes
implemented
Nutrient strategy
No strategy
Commitments of the
Non EU countries in
the TRB to meet the
WFD objectives (there
will be 18 aglom – 14
in UA and 4 in RS for
which uwwtp will be
constructed by 2015)
Level at 30 June
2011
Work towards
concluding a Joint
Program of
Measures in the TRB
Implementation of
the ITRBM Plan will
have a positive
impact on the level
of nutrients
according to
modelled results
Generated load
reduced by 2015
through the
realization of 18
uwwtp is 780,500 p.e.
Investments planned
for uwwtp
Methodology
available for MONERIS
scenario calculations
Moneris use training
Extension services
available
Training on MONERIS
use
Strategy available
Prepare/discuss the
legal frame for
implementing at
national level
Final nutrient
strategy accepted by
Tisza Group and
incorporated in the
approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan
30
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Objective 1: To
integrate water
quality, water
quantity, land use,
and biodiversity
objectives into an
integrated water
resources/river basin
management plan
under the legal
umbrella of the EU
and ICPDR, that will
improve the Tisza
River Basin
environment
including the
reduction of
pollution and
mitigation of floods
and droughts.
Description of
Indicator
Feedback on
nutrient strategy
by demonstration
projects
Baseline Level
Target Level
No information
Reports from 3
demonstration
projects and
collection of ideas to
be incorporated into
the national strategies
Draft
flood/drought
strategy developed
No strategy
Strategy available
Feedback on
flood/drought
No information
Reports from 3
demonstration
projects
strategy by
demonstration
projects
IRBM plan issued
No IRBM
IRBM plan distributed
Adoption of
revised policies for
land-water
management
following the
successful
completion of
demonstration
projects
Lack or
insufficient of
legal and
institutional
frame to
implement the
IRBMP
At least 1 new policy
for land-water
management adopted
Level at 30 June
2011
Final Stakeholder
workshop held in
April 2011.
Lessons from
demonstration
projects
incorporated in the
approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan,
Flood/drought
strategy available
and incorporated
into the approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan
Final Stakeholder
workshop held in
April 2011.
Lessons from
demonstration
projects
incorporated in the
approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan.
ITRBM Plan
approved and
endorsed by Tisza
Ministers.
Implementation to
be monitored by
ICPDR Tisza Group.
Final Stakeholder
workshop held in
April 2011.
Lessons from
demonstration
projects
incorporated in the
approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan.
31
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Outcome 2:
Demonstrating
effective wetland
and floodplain
management with
multiple
environmental
benefits, leading to
stress reduction (e.g.
nutrient reduction,
flood mitigation,
biodiversity
enhancements, etc.)
resulting in the
motivation of local
communities and
other stakeholders to
continue the
implementation of
the successful
conclusions of the
demonstration
projects.
Description of
Indicator
Meetings of the
ICPDR and Tisza
Group
Baseline Level
Target Level
Tisza Group
focus on WFD
and flood issues
Project selection
criteria developed
List of provisional
demonstration
projects
Hectares of
wetland planned
for restoration and
initiated
n/a
Tisza Group succeeds
in integrating the
management of water
quality and water
quantity.
Criteria agreed
n/a
List available.
Need current
levels planned
Current plus 10% of
connected wetlands
Kilometres of
floodplain planned
for connection
Hectares of habitat
planned for
restoration
Reduced Nitrogen
and Phosphorus
loads planned as a
result of wetlands
/ floodplain
restoration
Need current
levels planned
Current plus 8%
Need current
levels planned
Current plus x%
Need current
levels planned
Current minus 0.29%
reduction for N and
0.01% for P (Limited
reduction effect)
Completion of first
stakeholder
workshop
No workshop
Workshop successful
(autumn 2009)
Report lessons
learned
Objective 2: To begin
implementation of
IWRM principles
through the testing
of new approaches
on wetland and
floodplain
management
through communitybased demonstration
projects
Agreed
demonstration
sites and projects
Completion of
demonstration
projects
Inclusion of
strategies in
selected
demonstration
projects
Evaluation
completed on
demonstration
projects
n/a
Replicability
Agreed list
Level at 30 June
2011
Tisza Group future
to be assured
through revision of
MoU
Completed – July
2008
Completed –
October 2008
ITRBM Plan includes
targets for wetland/
floodplain
reconnections by
2015
To be established by
the Tisza Group
Deleted by Project
Steering Committee
(December 2009)
Estimates from
MONERIS
inconclusive. More
work is needed
First stakeholder
workshop
completed –
November 2009
Completed –
December 2008
n/a
3 demonstration
projects completed
All completed by
February 2011
n/a
Strategies
incorporated in
demonstration
projects where
appropriate
Mid-term and final
evaluation reports of
3 demonstration
projects
Demonstration
reports include
comments and
lessons for inclusion
in the ITRBM Plan
Mid-term and
terminal evaluations
completed
n/a
32
UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Project Objective
and Outcomes
Description of
Indicator
Completion of
second
stakeholder
workshop
Baseline Level
Target Level
n/a
Workshop successful
(autumn 2010)
Conclusions from
demonstration
projects
n/a
3 completed
demonstration
projects
Level at 30 June
2011
Final stakeholder
workshop
completed & linked
with the Tisza
Ministerial Meeting
in Uzghorod
(Ukraine) April 2011.
Lessons & practical
experiences from
the demonstration
projects included in
the approved /
endorsed ITRBM
Plan.
33