WWF - Conservation publications from or about the Danube-Carpathian region

Project Officer in Kyiv

2013-01-14

The WWF International Danube-Carpathian Programme is looking for a Project Officer to be based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The main responsibilities of this position is to support WWF's work from Kyiv, including primarily implementation of the EU project "Climate Forum East", which is focused on developing and coordinating stakeholder platforms and awareness raising regarding climate change adaptation in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaidzhan.

This WWF position will work closely with the Austrian Red Cross, which is leading the Climate Forum East project, to support national coordinators and project activities in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, and will be responsible for arranging input and involvement of WWF experience and expertise. It is anticipated that this position will continue after the end of the Climate Forum East project in December 2014.

The key requirements are:

A university degree, preferably in the field of environmental sciences, social sciences, economics, political science or similar.
At least 5 years' experience in international project management, including preferably in EU-funded projects.
Proven project cycle management skills.
Proven organisational, coordination and communication skills.
Previous experience with climate change adaptation a strong advantage, but not obligatory.
Thoroughness and attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with exceptional relationship management and networking abilities in a multi-cultural environment.
Energetic, proactive, creative and oriented to problem solving.
Reliable, trustworthy and accurate.
Very good skills in team work and distance management.
Proven ability to work in multi-cultural teams.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Russian. Proficiency in Ukrainian also an advantage, but not obligatory.
Dedication to WWF's mission.

If this sounds like you, then e-mail a cover letter and CV in English to office@wwfdcp.org.

Application deadline: Friday 25 January 2013

WWF Appeal for a more sustainable Europe - Open letter to EU leaders

2012-11-15

In the run-up to decisionmaking on the next EU financial perspective for 2014-20, Europe has a chance to make ambitious political choices and define a new development model, attuned to the needs of both people and the planet. To make this possible, WWF believes we must face up now to the environmental, social and economic challenges.

In an open letter to EU decisionmakers, WWF has called upon all European heads of state and governments and the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council to commit to 10 fundamental principles as a blueprint for the sustainable growth that represents the only solution to the combined crises besetting our continent:

1. Internalise external environmental costs in government and corporate economic decision making through the routine incorporation of monetised environmental pollution and resource depletion accounting in economic calculations;

2. Develop environmental and social well-being indicators other than GDP. These indicators should form the basis of policy formation and decision-making, including economic adjustment programmes for economically troubled states such as Greece and Portugal;

3. Reorient the European budget 2014-20 to put an end to environmentally harmful subsidies and redirect them towards sectors of the green economy (eco-innovation, energy and resource savings, renewable energy, sustainable building, low carbon vehicles, sustainable agriculture, etc.) that are more sustainable and create more jobs. At least 25% of the next European budget should be allocated to combating and adapting to climate change, and 15% should fund the protection of biodiversity and natural resources;

4. Radically reform the Common Agricultural Policy by strengthening the rural development "pillar", half of which should be allocated to more sustainable agricultural practice, and significantly "greening" the production support "pillar" in an attempt to give it some greater legitimacy;

5. End public subsidies for high-carbon infrastructure such as air and road traffic, and instead provide support for low-carbon transport that satisfies wider environmental needs, avoids environmental damage through habitat fragmentation, and includes intelligent transport and public transport;

6. End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect them towards energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;

7. Increase funding for the EU funding programme for the environment, LIFE, to 1% of the next European budget for 2014-20 in particular to support biodiversity in Europe;

8. Strengthen rather than weaken environmental impact assessments, which are crucial to improving the efficiency of European projects and reducing the risk of accidents and negative impacts on the ground;

9. Tighten the EU's emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, and achieve energy efficiency goals as well as strengthening the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS);

10. Introduce a Financial Transaction Tax to place greater controls on the financial system and generate additional public funding for ecological transition in the EU.

Washing our Dishes and Clothes without Polluting our Rivers and Seas

2011-06-16

Many cleaning detergents commonly sold on the shelves of European supermarkets contain high concentrations of phosphates, and other phosphorus compounds, which are harmful for the environment.

An EU Regulation to restrict phosphates in detergents is now being discussed in Brussels and national capitals. In November 2010, the European Commission issued a proposal to limit the use of phosphorus in laundry detergents as of January 2013, but excluded dishwashing products because of an assumed lack of viable phosphate-free alternatives.

WWF urges the Members of the European Parliament and Council to vote now for a phase out of all phosphate detergents, which will benefit not only the environment but also citizens and progressive industries.

Measuring the environmental achievements of EU neighbouring countries

2009-04-23

The implementation of the environmental commitments of the European Neighbourhood Policy is lagging behind in all neighbouring countries. Civil society has a crucial role to play in accompanying EU neighbouring governments towards reforms in the fields of environment, energy and transport, as well as sustainable development.

The handbook published by WWF, in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, aims to improve the participation of civil society in the implementation and monitoring of European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans. The handbook is already being used by NGO partners in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

More information here

Greening the Black Sea Synergy

2008-06-10

The latest round of enlargement has brought the UE to the shores of the Black Sea, a distinct geographical area rich in natural resources and strategically located at the junction of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

In 2007 the European Union launched the Black Sea Synergy (BSS) in order to promote the development of cooperation within the Black Sea countries and between the region and the European Union. After one year from its launch, the European Commission will soon present the first results of the implementation process of the BSS including a set of concrete proposals to be discussed by the Member States in the following months.

The new report "Greening the Black Sea Synergy" released today by WWF and Heinrich Böll Foundation points the attention on the environmental threats and challenges that the countries of the region are facing and need to be addressed in the next future.

Mass industrial development, uncontrolled infrastructure construction, overexploitation of resources like oil and gas, connected to the strong impact of climate change are some of the main problems that threaten the sustainable development of the populations of Romania and Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, Belarus and Republic of Moldova.

The study provides detailed and concrete proposals addressed to the countries and the EU in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, energy, transport and security and strongly ask for environmental protection, integration and governance to become more prominent in the next steps of the Black Sea Synergy.

Moving forward, looking back: WWF-DCP publishes annual report

2007-09-11

Significant changes continued to sweep the Danube-Carpathian region last year, presenting new challenges but also many opportunities for conservation and sustainable development in the region.

Most significantly, Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union, taking on innovative legislation on water and river basin management and nature conservation, but also potentially destructive policies on transportation and development.

In order to better meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities for conservation in the region, WWF's Danube-Carpathian Programme focused its efforts last year on restructuring and developing its operations. Two new legal entities were created to support the staff and projects in Romania and Bulgaria. At the same time, we significantly expanded our public outreach and fundraising, led by our first campaigns in Romania and Bulgaria.

Defending natural treasures
Thanks to good progress in lobbying on implementation of EU conservation legislation, we are well on our way to achieving our target of 25% of the Danube-Carpathian region under protection by 2010. We continued to be closely involved in programming for use of EU funds, which opened significant opportunities for biodiversity-related support particularly in Romania and Bulgaria.

Much of our efforts sought to secure the region's greatest natural riches against increasing attacks, especially from illegal construction, logging and poaching. Our campaigns in Romania and Bulgaria brought national awareness to the plight of the countries' national parks and other protected areas. Our first international campaign, launched during summer 2007, is working with partner organizations up and down the Danube to stop EU and government plans to turn the river into little more than a shipping canal.

WWF-DCP also kicked off a major, 5-year programme to support protected areas across the Carpathian Mountains, part of a global WWF initiative supported by the MAVA Foundation to support implementation of the Convention for Biological Diversity's Programme of Work on Protected Areas.

A positive vision for development
While defending the region's natural treasures, we also stepped up our efforts to develop and practically implement positive visions for sustainable development across the Danube-Carpathian region. With support from WWF-Netherlands, we launched a major initiative to promote sustainable development of the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine, focusing on tourism, agriculture and shipping. We used the first meeting of the Carpathian Convention to launch another initiative, the Carpathian Opportunity, that is working with key economic sectors including forestry, food and tourism across the Carpathians.

Saving nature with EU neighbours

2007-08-29

EU neighbouring countries have a rich heritage of species, natural areas and landscapes which are hugely important to protect. They are also key for economic and social development.

WWF sees the European Neighbourhood Policy as a major opportunity to protect and sustainably manage natural resources and ecosystems as well as contribute to the transfer of new environmental technologies. However, ENP projects related to issues such as transport, energy and tourism may also put at risk sensitive natural areas, unless their environmental impact is properly assessed and monitored in consultation with the civil society.

WWF works in Brussels and in the neighbouring countries to ensure that the ENP effectively contributes to sustainable management of natural resources and environmental governance.

Concrete results of WWF 's work on the European Neighbourhood Policy are presented in the brochure "Saving nature with EU neighbours".

Protected Areas for a Living Planet - Carpathian Ecoregion Project

2007-06-06

Factsheet on WWF's Protected Areas for a Living Planet Carpathian Ecoregion Project, which aims to help governments from the ecoregion achieve the 2012/2012 targets of the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas - an historic commitment by 190 governments to create a global network of comprehensive, well-managed, and representative terrestrial and marine protected areas.

Internship - Communications Assistant

2007-04-02

The WWF International Danube-Carpathian Programme is seeking a German-language intern to support a freshwater project on the Trans-European Networks for Transport (TEN-T), mainly for work on communications.

About the project:
The TEN-T is a program of the European Union to improve the connectivity between the markets of the old (Western) and the new (Central and Eastern European) EU Member States. The Danube as an important international waterway is one of the most important components of the TEN-T, the so-called Pan-European Transport Corridor. The ecological integrity of the river system already suffers from massive morphological and hydrological regulation. The situation, however, will become even worse when the Danube countries have to eliminate a number of so-called bottlenecks for navigation - not incidentally, areas that in terms of environmental services and benefits are the most valuable and that under current plans would be significantly damaged.

WWF therefore wants to ensure that the implementation of the TEN-T and other transport policies on the Danube would be an example of good practice in the field of environmentally compatible inland navigation. We aim to establish a modern inland navigation system that serves both global ecological benefit due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and ecological benefit for local and regional ecosystems.
In order to raise awareness and gain public support for our goals, we are organising a campaign during summer 2007.

Field of internship
Communications, organisation of events, general consultation

Field of study of the applicant
Journalism, environmental studies, political economy, hydraulic or water resources engineering

Tasks
Assisting with the preparation for and activities of a Danube-wide campaign related to WWF project on Trans-European Networks for Transport (TEN-T):

Support in preparation of campaign's communication material: brochures, fact-sheets, media kits, website, visual information, PR material and other elements
Drafting press releases, articles, compiling country reports
Liaising with the communication teams in other offices of the WWF Danube Carpathian Programme and WWF partners
Updating homepage
Planning and preparation of meetings related to the campaign
Support in the preparation of public relations events
Other support needed for the preparation and execution of the campaign

Required skills

Excellent writing and communication skills in German
Good abilities to clearly summarise large amounts of information
Excellent team player
Good organizational skills
Used to flexible working time

Language requirements

Native German-speaker
Very good (fluent) knowledge of English
Majority of information will be in English, most writing tasks in German, communication with partners in English.

Starting date
As soon as possible

Duration
4-6 months, with possibility of extension

Working hours
Working hours can be flexible

What we offer

Small remuneration is offered (amount depends on qualifications)
Work in a young and dynamic team
Contacts with WWF colleagues and partners throughout Europe, from Brussels and Germany to Romania and Ukraine
Considerable room for own initiative
Flexible time arrangements
Experience of working on a complex international project in a global conservation organisation

About the organisation:
WWF is a global non-profit organization that operates in more than 100 countries. The WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme promotes the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of nature within the region and for the benefit of both people and environment. The WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme works across political borders on model projects, influencing policy, networking, capacity-building, communication and crisis response. The Danube-Carpathian region includes all or part of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina

Contact :
WWF International Danube-Carpathian-Programme

Ms Neringa Pumputyte (campaign coordinator)
Mariahilferstrasse 88a/3/91070 Wien
Fax: +43 1 524 54 70 70
Tel.: +43 1 524 54 70 18
Email: npumputyte@wwfdcp.org

http://www.panda.org/dcpo

To apply:
Please send a CV and a cover letter (either in German or in English) by 20 April 2007 and an example of writing in German to npumputyte@wwfdcp.org

Floods in the Danube River Basin: Flood risk mitigation for people through wetlands restoration

2006-11-15

The aim of this working paper is to review the 2006 flood events and their devastating effects along the Danube and its selected tributaries, highlighting the importance of floodplain protection and restoration in order to mitigate flood risks. The paper also provides an overview of the physical restoration potential of four areas along the Lower Danube Green Corridor1 (LDGC) further referred to in the paper as case studies.

The paper aims to provide background information for political discussions and to shape the political debate towards a more sustainable flood risk management.

Based on the findings of the paper WWF makes a number of recommendations for:

1. EU institutions and other international bodies such as the International
Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR),

2. national governments, in particularly of the new EU Member States
and of the EU Candidate Countries (e.g. Romania and Bulgaria) and

3. insurance companies and individuals.

Natura 2000 - Europe's safety net for nature - and people

2006-06-06

WWF and its partner organizations strongly support the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives and the establishment of Natura 2000.

The twin directives represent a real attempt to conserve Europe's biological diversity based on sound scientific evidence, and protecting a representative sample of all Europe's most threatened habitats and species. The Habitats Directive does not rule out economic activities in Natura 2000 areas, but rather provides a process and framework for protecting Europe's natural wealth and promoting long-term sustainable development.

Our work
For this purpose, we have been actively assisting national and EU authorities and other stakeholders to identify, to designate and then to actively protect and manage Natura 2000 sites and species. Our work includes raising awareness of Natura 2000, e.g. the "Flying over Natura 2000" project, in which storks
were monitored and shown in TV in their migration over Europe (www.flyingover.net). We also support the EU accession member states in their first stages of implementation of the EU nature directives.

Who we are
WWF, the global conservation organization, works together with partner organizations throughout the EU for the implementation of Natura 2000 and the Habitats and Birds Directives. As a member of the European Habitats Forum, a coalition of NGOs working for the implementation of the Habitats and Birds
Directives, we provide input and advice to the European Commission, particularly relating to the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the establishment of the conservation network.

For further information:
Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Natura 2000 Coordinator
WWF International
Tel: +36 1 212-9353
E-mail: alberto.arroyo@wwf.at

One Europe More Nature - Project Brochure

2006-05-30

WWF's One Europe More Nature project is working to restore and maintain key European landscapes and habitats by forging innovative partnerships with a wide ranger of stakeholders.

At a series of sites across Europe, WWF and its local partners are working to identify opportunities where the interests of business and nature overlap, and forging innovative partnerships to take advantage of these opportunities. The people involved in our projects include big businesses, extractive industries, local entrepreneurs, farmers, foresters and politicians. Together, we are working to develop win-win situations where economic and ecological concerns go hand in hand, where businesses make a profit and nature's capital is maintained or enhanced.

This brochure sets out the project's aims and objectives, and provides details of the eight project sites - Doñana (Spain), Tisza floodplain (Hungary), Maramures (Romania), the Ardennes (Spain), Gelderse Poort (the Netherlands), Prespa (Greece), Sinca Noua (Romania) and Väinameri (Estonia).

These sites serve as showcases for the One Europe More Nature approach – living examples of a new way of living, and an inspiration for people across Europe to get involved and start shaping Europe's changing landscapes for the benefit of people and nature.

The project is funded and inspired by WWF Netherlands.

Europe's Living Countryside - Hungary National Report

2006-03-29

The EU's Rural Development Programme is part of the Common Agricultural Policy, and WWF believes it has the potential to deliver on key environmental objectives, such as biodiversity loss and water use.

As part of the Europe's Living Countryside (ELCo) project, WWF and its partners analysed the national Rural Development programmes in seven countries and explored how environmental priorities and objectives might better be identified and addressed in the new rural development programmes.

One Europe More Nature in the Tisza River Basin

2006-03-07

WWF is working at three sites along the Tisza River in Romania and Hungary to maintain and restore the wetlands and floodplains in a way that will be beneficial to the local economy.

In Maramures, the activities will focus on switching to new integrated forms of forest, grassland and water management to maintain and restore the integrity of the upland landscape, support sustainable flood management, and at the same time create new income opportunities for local people.

In the Ecsed Marsh area, common ecological and economic activities will be developed by Hungary and Romania for the large scale cross-border restoration of what was once Central Europe's largest inland marshland complex.

In Nagykoru, activities will focus on habitat restoration by the retention of the floodwaters, and the introduction of land use practices which are better suited to floodplains, such as extensive grazing practices by local races of cattle and the cultivation of local varieties of fruit in floodplain orchards.

Europe's Living Countryside - Bulgaria National Report

2005-12-19

As part of the Europe's Living Countryside (ELCo) project, WWF and its partners analysed the national Rural Development programmes in seven countries and explored how environmental priorities and objectives might better be identified and addressed in the new rural development programmes.

Only the summary of the national report for Bulgaria is available in English. For the full version in Bulgarian, please contact Yanka Kazakova.

Q&A Ukrainian Bystroye Canal

2005-10-05

Promoting Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)

2005-09-21

WWF Danube-Carpathian Newsletter

2005-07-21

Background Infromation about Sturgeon Workshop

2005-07-05

Fostering Payments for Environmental Services (PES) in the Danube Basin

2005-06-27