Project Summary:

The sustainable management of water resources in accordance with the principle of integrated water management is the priority of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, according to the commitments of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement. In addition to further developing water policy and improving the regulatory framework, the Ministry of Environment, with the support of its subordinate institutions, is responsible for ensuring continuous dialogue with neighboring countries on the integrated management of transboundary water resources, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the quantity and the quality of water needed both for sustainable socio-economic development and for a healthy environment. This project aims are to improve the national regulatory framework, harmonize environmental legislation with the provisions of EU directives, develop the 2nd Management Plan for the Nistru river basin district, provide support in the sustainable management of the river, both at the national level, as well as cross-border/international, carrying out the necessary activities to improve the current ecological conditions of the Nistru.

Objectives:

• To ensure that Moldova has sufficient regulatory framework for the sustainable Nistru river basin management based on the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) provisions;
• To provide the Moldovan Government with an updated comprehensive Management Plan for the Nistru river basin developed in compliance with the WFD;
• To provide continuous support for enhancement of capacities of national authorities responsible for water management, as well as the Moldovan representatives under the joint Moldovan and Ukrainian bodies tasked with cross-border management of the Nistru river;
• To improve environmental conditions of the Nistru river and positively impacting the socio-economic conditions of livelihoods using Nistru resources.

Expected results:

• The Management Plan of the Nistru River Basin District, cycle II, developed in compliance with WFD and approved as a comprehensive policy document guiding the sustainable management of water resources;
• Water related regulatory framework strengthened and harmonised with requirements of EU legislation, a list of methodologies and regulations developed to meet compliance with WFD for better environmental compliance, efficient water resource management, improved water resource monitoring and assessment;
• Capacities of the Apele Moldovei Agency as a key national water management institution enhanced and institutional reform supported;
• Transboundary cooperation for joint management of the Nistru River basin enhanced by the support provided during meetings of the Dniester Commission and its Working Groups;
• A new version of Agreement on the Functioning of the Dniester Hydropower Complex (HPC) ensures a long-term better management of the HPC in view of social and environmental needs downstream;
• Capacities of the Nistru River basin District Committee strengthened by facilitating the meetings with key actors at regional level and by organising two study visits;
• Inventory of Hydrotechnical Infrastructure within the Nistru River Basin District finalized;
• Hydrological monitoring of the Nistru River upgraded by replacement of two outdated automatic water level monitoring stations;
• Basin approach for study of chemical status of surface and ground water refined by implementing a sampling programme, conducting analytical work and other support provided to water quality laboratory;
• Effectiveness of environmental releases assessed and objective criteria for making decisions about the optimal timing and hydrographs for spring discharge set;
• Potential of environmental authorities in fishery strengthened by conducting a legal gap analysis, revision of national legislation, providing training and equipment to inspectors for recording of violations and detection of poachers;
• National legislation in the field of water resources aligned with EU standards;
• Detailed implementation plan for the EU Water Framework Directive developed;
• One acoustic current probe for measurements at depths of more than 5 meters and 5 hydrometric current meters for hydrological monitoring of waters purchased and donated to the authorities;
• An advanced methodology for assessment of hydro-morphologic changes and identification of heavily modified or artificial surface water bodies on a tributary of the Nistru River for the purpose of implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive – tested;
• National water protection campaign in over 100 localities, with information events with public authorities and farmers, educational activities in schools, competitions, social media campaigns, creative community actions.
   

Accomplishments:

• Amendments to Water Law No. 272/2011 for further approximation to EU directives and addressing a series of legal gaps developed with support of the project and approved by the Parliament;
• The Nistru River Basin District Management Plan, cycle II (2025-2030) was developed and approved by Government and the Roadmap for priority measures lacking financial coverage was developed and approved by the Nistru River Basin District Committee;
• Support provided to Moldovan authorities in the preparation for and participation in the 4th meeting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian Joint Commission held during 22-23 November 2023 in Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine);
• The 5th Meeting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian Joint Commission, held on November 28-29, 2024, in Costești, Ialoveni District was organised with the project support;
• Three regional meetings of the Nistru River Basin District Committee were organized in 2024 in the northern, central, and southern regions of the Republic of Moldova;
• Organization of a training session on strategic communication and technical diplomacy for representatives of authorities involved in water resources management, contributing to the strengthening of capacities in communication, institutional representation, and cooperation in the field of water governance at both national and transboundary levels;
• Nistru River Spring Ecological Discharge Optimization Studies conducted in 2022, 2023 and 2024;
• Drafting and submitting for government approval a series of laws, regulations, and guidelines necessary for the implementation of the WFP, including:

1. Amendments to Regulation on the procedure for the development and revision of the River Basin District Management Plan, aimed at its further aligning with the requirements of the EU WFD;
2. The regulation on the allocation of water fund lands for use;
3. Methodology for pressure analysis and assessment of anthropogenic risks within river basin districts in line with EU WFD provisions;
4. Methodology on hydro-morphological alterations, monitoring and assessment in water basins;
5. Methodology for classification of ecological status and ecological potential;
6. Methodology on identification and designation of heavily modified and artificial water bodies;
7. Methodology for the identification of ponds and reservoirs designated for decommissioning;
8. Methodology for the assessment and classification of the status of groundwater bodies.

• Implementation of the first research monitoring programme for surface water quality in the Nistru River Basin District, aimed at investigating priority substances as defined under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD);
• Nistru Youth Summer School 2024, engaging 70 young participants from both banks of the Nistru and Ukraine, was organised with the support of the project;
• Eco Media Academy - a training programme for aspiring journalists in Moldova, focused on environmental and water protection, was organized and engaged 140 students across five universities from September to November 2024;
• A study visit focused on good practices in water resources management, implemented by the Artois-Picardie Basin Committee and water authorities from the Picardy Region, France, was organized in 2024 for the members of the Nistru River Basin District Committee; 
• Organization of a study visit to the Iron Gates Hydropower and Navigation System in Romania for representatives of relevant institutions, aimed at facilitating the exchange of best practices in the management of transboundary hydraulic infrastructure, hydrological monitoring, environmental flow management, and cooperation in the field of transboundary waters.
• An awareness campaign titled "Protecting Small Rivers, Protecting Our Future!" was organized in September 2024 to highlight the risks facing the tributaries of the Nistru River due to climate change, pollution, deforestation, and damming;
• Nistru Day was marked in 2024, 2025, and 2026 through the organization of a series of project-supported events aimed at raising public awareness about the protection and sustainable use of the Nistru River’s resources;
• Equipping the National Administration „Apele Moldovei” with a state-of-the-art ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and two RTK-enabled drones for dam safety monitoring and the improvement of water resources management through the rapid and accurate collection of data required for the planning, monitoring, and protection of water bodies;
• Replacing outdated hydrological stations belonging to the Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Authority with six modern automatic hydrological stations for continuous collection of data on water level and temperature, with the stations in Unguri and Răscăieți additionally equipped with rain gauges and sensors for measuring air temperature and humidity;
• Equipping the Environmental Protection Inspectorate with modern equipment to combat fish and game poaching, as well as illegal tree felling, including thermal imaging drones, underwater sonars, body cameras, surveillance systems, binoculars, flashlights, life jackets, and special protection equipment;
• Delivery of 3 tons of emergency response materials, including biodegradable peat-based sorbents, intended for rapid interventions in cases of water pollution caused by petroleum products during the spring of 2026;
• Provision of two batches of reagents and laboratory consumables for the Water Quality Laboratory of the Environmental Agency, as well as the supply of the equipment required to implement the method for determining fats, oils, and petroleum products, with the aim of strengthening operational monitoring capacities and the analysis of surface water quality parameters;
• Organization in 2026 a training session for approximately 100 representatives of local public authorities and other owners of lakes and ponds, focusing on the operation, safety, and regulatory compliance of reservoirs, ponds, and fishponds;
• Strengthening capacities for the processing and interpretation of surface water status data through the delivery of two practical training sessions on the analysis and processing of surface and groundwater quality data for specialists responsible for water monitoring in the Republic of Moldova.
• Afforestation of 41 hectares of degraded land (former pastures) in the village of Talmaza, Ștefan Vodă District, contributing to the expansion of forested areas and the improvement of the ecological condition of the Nistru River Basin.