‘Business Friends of the Danube’ Pay Tribute

With the ‘Business Friends of the Danube’ the ICPDR started an ambitious project creating a win-win situation for all involved parties and the Danube River in particular. Philip Weller, Executive Secretary of the ICPDR, said that membership of the ‘Business Friends of the Danube’ carries responsibilities that are not only financial. The ICPDR invites businesses operating in direct relation to the Danube River to reinvest in the region.

The Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Josef Proell said he very much appreciated the project and hopes that the circle of the ‘Business Friends of the Danube’ will further expand ICPDR activities.

“Citizens“ with responsibility
Companies are among main stakeholders in the Danube River Basin and engage in its protection. In 2005, the ICDPR with Coca-Cola Hellenic and The Coca-Cola Company launched the “Green Danube Partnership” which supports the world’s largest river festival the “Danube Day” and includes informative, entertaining programmes. A media kit called the “Danube Box” has also been developed. It includes teaching material about the Danube River in seven different languages and is provided to schools. Former British Ambassador Sir Michael Llewellyn-Smith, a Board Director of Coca-Cola Hellenic, and Chairman of the CSR Committee, said: “From our own experience, we have found that partnering with governments, NGOs, community organisations, and in particular with the ICPDR, we are able to greatly elevate our contributions to protecting water resources, which is a key policy commitment for our company. The ‘Business Friends of the Danube’ offers companies an excellent mean of serving many millions of inhabitants in countries along the course of the Danube while gaining invaluable recognition for participating in an extremely worthy cause.”

Know-how and financial support

With the annual fee of EUR25000, a ‘Business Friend of the Danube’ will contribute meaningfully for a minimum of two years to the fund either with direct or indirect investment (sponsoring, organization of various projects). Currently, the ICPDR is in discussion with a number of companies and is inviting them to realise their own social and ecological responsibility.

The Danube is Europe’s second largest river 2780 km in length, running from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Over the course of history, the Danube River has shaped its people and today the river plays an integral part in defining an identity for about 81 million people in over 19 countries. Besides, the Danube River is the largest river basin worldwide. Valuable services for the region are provided by the river and endow resources that sustain life and work, drinking water, hydraulic power, recreation area and a route for transport. Now it is time to reinvest in the Danube and to more importantly stop increasing environmental threats.