Celebrating 18 Years of the Central Baltic Programme: Working Together for a Better Region

Today, 5 May 2025, marks 18 years since the start of the Central Baltic Programme. This programme helps countries in the Central Baltic area — Finland, Åland, Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden — to work together on important projects. Its projects aim to grow the economy, improve the environment, support employment and make public services better for people across the region.

How it all started

The Central Baltic Programme is part of a bigger EU framework called Interreg, which started in 1990 to help regions in different countries cooperate. The first big step came in 1995 when Sweden and Finland launched a programme focused on the archipelago between them. It supported 24 projects to help the area grow and connect better. Some years later, the Southern Finland – Estonia programme started connecting the EU country Finland and Estonia which was preparing to join.

In 2007, the Central Baltic programme was created, combining the two existing programmes as well as adding Latvia. With more countries involved, the programme got more funding and supported more and bigger projects. Between 2007 and 2013, it invested €96 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in 122 projects that crossed borders and brought people and ideas together.

From 2014 to 2020, the programme became even stronger, with 137 projects and €132 million ERDF in funding. These projects focused on making the economy stronger, protecting nature, connecting people and places, improving job skills, and helping everyone feel included. Over 800 partners worked together, and the programme met — and even beat — its goals.

The current Programme (2021–2027)

The current phase of the programme runs from 2021 to 2027, with €152 million ERDF in funding. It supports projects in four important areas such as business development, environmental protection, employment, and public services. The goal is still the same: to support the economy, help people, protect nature, and make the region a better place to live and work.

What has been achieved

In the past 18 years, the Central Baltic Programme has helped solve shared problems and take advantage of new opportunities. It has encouraged teamwork between countries, built strong networks, and created projects that have real, lasting results.

Thanks to ongoing teamwork between countries, the Central Baltic region is now a better place to live and work. It’s more attractive, more competitive, and better connected. People have improved access to jobs, education, and important services. Since 2021, 62 projects have already been funded, and 43 new ones are just getting started. In 2025, the programme launched its Fifth Call for Project Proposals to keep supporting smart ideas that help both people and the environment.

Happy 18th Birthday to the Central Baltic Programme!

Here’s to many more years of working together!