Strengthening Baltic Sea Collaboration: Highlights from EUSBSR Forum 2024 

Last week, over 650 participants gathered in Visby, Sweden, for the Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), focusing on key themes of sustainability, resilience, and security in the Baltic Sea area. Representatives from the Interreg Central Baltic programme, including national Contact Points and programme staff, played an active role in the event, participating in two panel discussions and organising two parallel sessions, one in cooperation with Interreg Baltic Sea Region. The forum highlighted how Interreg-supported projects contribute to EUSBSR policy areas, showcasing the value of cross-border cooperation. 

Engaging Sessions Led by Interreg Central Baltic 

On Wednesday, 30 October, Interreg Central Baltic hosted two parallel sessions on different topics. The first session, organised by the national contact points of the programme, was a hands-on workshop titled “Create Your Project Idea.” This session encouraged participants to brainstorm project concepts based on the specific needs of their regions, guided by programme guidelines. Participants worked collaboratively to generate ideas, foster connections, and explore potential partnerships that could enhance future cross-border initiatives. 

📄 Materials from the “Create Your Project Idea” workshop can be found here (pdf) 

Decorative image from the Create your project idea workshop at the EUSBSR forum. A group of people in a seminar room.

Later on Wednesday, Interreg Central Baltic and Interreg Baltic Sea Region co-hosted a well-attended session, Interreg Funding in the Baltic Sea Region After 2027, drawing almost 60 participants. This interactive session offered a platform for discussing the results of recent stakeholder consultations on the future of transnational and cross-border cooperation in the Baltic Sea area. Participants engaged with three central themes – security and resilience, green transition, and the Baltic Sea environment – providing inputs on statements from earlier consultations and outlining priorities for Interreg programmes beyond 2027.

Key insights from participants included the importance of involving young people and communities in cross-border projects, as well as the need to focus on project capitalisation and to ensure lasting societal impact. The points made will be used by both programmes in reports to the European Commission, presenting feedback from citizens and stakeholders of the region. The reports will be used as a basis for creating the legislative framework for Interreg programmes in the future. 

Decorative image from the Interreg funding after 2027 workshop. A group of people in a seminar room with a digital screen in the background.

Spotlight on Financing Cooperation 

The forum also featured a panel discussion titled Financing Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, which included Eva Blidberg from the Central Baltic funded project Re:Fish and Merike Niitepõld, Head of the Managing Authority for the Central Baltic programme. The discussion explored national and EU financial instruments and their role in supporting projects, with an emphasis on how the EUSBSR can facilitate project outcomes and stakeholder connections. 

Eva Blidberg highlighted that the Re:Fish project seeks collaborative solutions for the common problem of lost fishing gear in the Baltic Sea. “The EUSBSR strategy could help us connect with relevant stakeholders and amplify the impact of our project outcomes,” Blidberg explained. She also pointed to the need for a stronger circular economy approach for discarded fishing gear, noting that “in Sweden, there is currently only one marine recycling centre, and it’s challenging to make such activities profitable. Government support is essential for the success of these initiatives.” 

In the second part of the panel discussion, Merike Niitepõld shared how the Central Baltic programme is dedicated to supporting strong partnerships. She explained that the programme works to “map, match, and filter partners’ needs to find the best funding opportunities.” Niitepõld emphasized that Central Baltic is here to help projects thrive by connecting partners with the right resources. She reassured everyone that the programme is committed to guiding stakeholders toward funding options, both within Central Baltic and from other sources, making regional cooperation more accessible and effective. 

Decorative image from the panel discussion. A group of people on a stage with a digital screen in the background.

Resilience in Eastern Border Regions

Central Baltic Project Manager for EU external border, Liina Luup, participated in a parallel session organised by Interact focused on Building a Resilient Future for Eastern EUSBSR Border Regions. Mr. Jean-Pierre Halkin, head of the Interreg in DG Regio, opened and closed the session highlighting the changed circumstances in the border regions and emphasising the importance of the internal Interreg programmes to support and involve external border regions. The unique challenges faced by border regions in the Baltic Sea Region due to the geopolitical shifts and closed borders with Russia and Belarus were presented by Witold Kielich, Warmia-Masuria Voivodeship, Poland and Thorsten Kohlish, Interreg Europe. Anni Salmi from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland and Julia Kirsima, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Estonia gave practical examples when introducing Finnish and Estonian support to the eastern border regions and showcasing the ideas and expectations on EU policies to support the border regions post 2027.  

Liina Luup from Interreg Central Baltic (CB) gave an overview of how CB has reacted and supported border regions after the suspension of ENI CBC programmes. As a result, the CB Programme got two additional regions and additional funding to involve the regions. Several good practices were presented and the results discussed at the session.  

Decorative image from the panel discussion. Three people on a stage with a digital screen in the background.

Building a Stronger Future Together 

The EUSBSR Annual Forum in Visby once again underscored the Baltic Sea region’s strong commitment to sustainability, resilience, and security, uniting stakeholders to foster cross-border cooperation and address shared challenges. Several sessions highlighted the Baltic Sea region’s active support for Ukraine, emphasizing solidarity and collaboration in response to the ongoing geopolitical crisis following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Through discussions, networking, and joint project ideation, the forum reinforced the vital importance of collective efforts to build a more resilient and secure future for all countries in the Baltic Sea area and beyond. 

Text: Viola Mickos, national Contact Point Finland