Cross-border partnerships are an integral part of the European Union strategy concerning the Danube river region, their aim being to unite the efforts of both the people and the communities for the protection of the environment by means of environmental risk management, restoration and maintenance of the quality of waters, air and soils as well as the protection and preservation of biodiversity and landscape.
A collective response to these common challenges provides the strategic project „Joint Risk Monitoring during Emergencies in the Danube Area Border“, reference number № 2s-2.2-1, MIS-ETC Code: 166. Eight organisations take part in its implementation. The project itself has been kindly supported by the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013. We have received a grant by the European Regional Development Fund to the amount of 9.7 million euro, out of which nearly 340 000 euro has been allotted to the environmental partner – Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Waters in Veliko Tarnovo. During the draft stage of the project and further during its implementation since 2009 so far we have been applying a common approach to finding the best solutions related to the protection of people from environmental impact and potential risks to their health and well-being.
Team of experts, possesing the necessary competencies and expertise has been dedicated to the project implementation and is proud to report the following outcome:
644 191 levs actually reimbursed, which make 82,34 % of the approved project budget that totals 782 320 levs, and agreed on 701 607 levs. With such a score Veliko Tarnovo environmental inspectorate is the leader among all Romanian and Bulgarian partners in relation to the level of sustainable use of the financial resources granted as well as the completion of all the planned actions. The contribution to the common goals has been made possible with the kind assistance of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters and Minister Iskra Mihailova, personally, as well as the working partnership with Romanian organisations, customs offices representatives, public authorities, private sector and non-governmental organisations from the cross-border area.
Indicators for the progress achieved by RIEW-Veliko Tarnovo during the second stage of the project implementation are the new solutions for environmental safety as well as the preventive measures taken for control and monitoring of the environment listed below:
1. Procurement of a specialized equipment and devices for monitoring and management of natural and anthropogenic risks that exist in the cross-border area of the Danube river. The equipment guarantees for timely determination of the condition of the air and waters in certain places where accidental pollution has occurred. Besides it provides options for adequate intervention and protection of the population. The portable monitoring equipment has been purchased at the amount of 112 751 levs, and it includes a set of portable machines, analysing device to value the condition of the air, pH meter, meteorological parameters measuring device, work station, 3 radio stations, 3 GPS devices.
2. Concerted actions in result of a common decision for expansion of the monitoring network by providing 3 new air quality monitoring stations on Bulgarian territory of the Danube river area, based on an expert analysis performed by ICMET Research, Development and Testing National Institute for Electrical Engineering in Craiova together with representatives of Executive Environment Agency in Sofia.
3. Joint inspections conducted together with National Environmental Guard of Romania, exchange of experience and discussion of measures for increased control of industrial facilities that present risk of a major hazardous accident. The number of such industries is 110 and they are located in a random manner on the territory of the Danube river region.
4. Acquainting with a Methodology for classification of controlled objects operating with dangerous substances, based on European know-how and applied by Romanian environmental commissaries. Discussions in relation to the adaption and implementation of the abovementioned Methodology in Bulgaria in order to improve planning of control actions on regional level.
5. Joint inspections for control of cross-border transportation of waste on the Danube river in three points – Zimnicea-Svishtov, Giurgiu-Ruse and Călărași – Silistra. Identification of the increase in the total volume of cross-border movement of hazardous waste, that presents threat to human health and the environment, as well as the necessity of continuous control and concerted actions on both sides of the border in cooperation with the institutions in charge.
The project provides funds for developing relevant policies in the field of climate, environment and sustainable development which we implement by means of an information campaign, public events dedicated to important environmental dates, promotion of materials that help build environmental consciousness and raise awareness. Join us with the messages „Let’s live in harmony with nature“, „Cleaner air for everyone!“, „Think. Feed, Save.“, „Clean air – it’s your turn!“, „Let’s decrease the risk for Danube sturgeons in Romania and Bulgaria“, „Monitoring of waters: Research. Share. Protect“.
The work in professional networks, based upon constructive dialogue, cooperation, good-neighbour relations and friendship, contributes to building sinergy among authorities on all levels, and provides new solutions for increasing the impact of all actions and financing environmental protection as well as improving the well-being of people living in the Danube river area.
Kameliya Dzhanabetska
Project Manager
RIEW-Veliko Tarnovo
telephone: +359/62/64-68-41
cellular: +359/889 92 99 34
