WWF International Danube-Carpathian Programme Andreas Beckmann Director Ottakringer Str. 114-116 A-1160 Vienna, Austria

Tel: +43 1 524 54 70 Fax +43 1 524 54 70-70 www.panda.org/dcpo abeckmann@wwfdcp.org

To:

Ms. Carmen Neagu

Superior Adviser

Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests

Bvd. Libertatii nr. 12, Sector 5, Bucharest

Vienna, 7 May 2015

Dear Ms. Carmen Neagu,

With the successful closing and evaluation of the UNEP-GEF funded Danube PES project, it is time to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the dedicated support you provided in your function as project Steering Group Member.

Without you, the project would not have been able to deliver the quality outcomes it did. In particular four functional Payment for Ecosystem Service / Sustainable Finance schemes have been developed with promising upscaling potentials, several projects and funding programs have started based on these results, and awareness has been raised on the value of ecosystem services and means of preserving them. All this would not have been possible without your valuable input, knowledge and contacts!

Payment for Ecosystem Services is a new concept in Europe so that the Danube PES project can be regarded as pioneer action and “learning on the job” process of inspiration for new endeavors in the field. Many thanks for being part of this great joint learning experience!

In the hope of continuing our fruitful cooperation in the future.

Sincerely yours,

Andreas Beckmann