The Tulcea Eco museal Research Institute - ICEM is integrating a number of 4 museums in Tulcea (Natural History, Art, History & Archaeology, Ethnography), while also coordinating a network of research and museal sites in Tulcea county territory concerning traditions, ethnography, Roman, Greek and Byzantine archaeology, natural history.

This territorial network includes the Sulina old Lighthouse that now functions as a museum. It was restored, including accommodation and exhibition spaces, by the Ministry of Culture in the late 90’s. A deeper approach of the territory was initiated within the project, by researching and structuring the resources of industrial archaeology. Therefore the existing network can be completed - the Sulina shipyard could be one of its next nodes - and integrated within the larger frame of the eco museum. Projects between river-side countries of the Danube were developed internationally, also within an INTERREG project and the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs is planning to further strengthen this cooperation in 2006 together with the celebration of the 150 years anniversary of the first European Commission - C.E.D.

Sulina Rescue 2000 project, financed through a Euroart program, proposed regeneration of Sulina town through culture and tourism within the larger frame of regional development. Its main features were heritage conservation, integrated urban development, ecological tourism enhancement, economic growth through traditional activities, nature preservation. The project leaded to the elaboration of an action plan that is now followed up by a working group including the central and local administration, NGO’s, universities and research institutes.

Several NGO’s like “Save the Danube and the Delta” or the “Friends of the Delta” Associations are developing independent projects related either to the cultural memory of the area, preserving traditional occupations, cultural tourism, or to the protection of the Biosphere Reserve. Projects are also managed by DDBRA - The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, for the conservation and watching over the natural protected areas and their buffer zones, sustainable use of natural resources, research for management, education, training and services.

Some results of these efforts are beginning to be seen such as the creation of the Sulina lighthouse museum and the development of museum related activities, various festivals in Sfântu Gheorghe or Sulina, tourism enhancement, improved water transportation for tourism, nature preservation control programs.

Although some connection exists between all the projects and subjects mentioned, one cannot speak about correlated actions and there is a need of collaboration for sustainable implementation of projects in a coherent integrated approach of the territory, for building a common strategy within the future local network.