International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

BSERP concluding after 15 years of joint efforts for the Black Sea

13 Mar 2008 | by IW:LEARN
February 21, 2008, Istanbul - After 15 successful years of contribution to the reinforcement of cooperation and capacities of the Black Sea countries directed at the reduction of nutrients and other hazardous substances to acceptable levels, the Black Sea Ecosystem Recovery Project (BSERP) is finally coming to a conclusion. BSERP has worked to reform agricultural policies; improve industrial and municipal wastewater treatment (including private sector incentives to invest in wastewater facilities); rehabilitate key basin ecosystems such as wetlands to act as nutrient sinks (including the creation of artificial wetlands); and to strengthen both the region’s legislative framework and its enforcement. The project has been a pilot and a model in partnership building and bringing about a concerted action around an urgent human development problem.