UNDP GEF Dnipro Basin Environment Programme

UNDP - GEF Dnipro Basin Environment Programme aims at developing the system of activities and its implementation mechanisms to improve the Dnipro River ecological state.

The overall implementation of the Dnipro Program is the result of the joint efforts of Dnipro Countries – the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine, assisted by such international executing agencies as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The Programme is GEF-funded.

The immediate outcome of the project is a series of pilot projects demonstrating stress reduction of specific persistent toxic substances (PTS) based on preliminary indicators and past test results derived from the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and from the industries themselves. A collateral benefit is also expected from the robust implementation of cleaner technology methodology which will deliver a more comprehensive suite of indicators which can subsequently be replicated by other industries. Taken together they will result in an efficient implementation of knowledge products, lessons and best practices to be delivered to other industries and Vodokanals for replication. It is anticipated that successful demonstration projects will also attract serious interest and future large scale financing from EBRD and the WB, which will adjust their lending practices accordingly.

The long term expected outcome is a significant reduction in wastewater discharge into the Dnipro River and its tributaries with immediate benefits for the Black Sea. This in turn will have a positive downstream impact on the Mediterranean region and by extension to the wider global environment as well.

Taken as a whole, the successful implementation of the Project will represent a unique achievement whose success and progress will facilitate ease of replication and encourage new forms of co-operation in other environmental sectors of the region as well.