Connecting for Progress: Reflections from the Central Baltic Connect event

On 25 September, we organised the Central Baltic Connect event, bringing together representatives from over 60 funded projects with partners from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Åland, and Sweden. Held at the Kaja Cultural Centre in Tallinn, the event provided a space for networking, learning, and exploring potential collaborations.

Circular Economy and Sustainable Cities

In today’s world, the concepts of circular economy and sustainability are not just standalone topics but integral, horizontal themes that offer vast opportunities for innovation and growth. Kari Herlevi opened the event with a presentation on the circular economy, highlighting that only 7.2% of the world is circular. He discussed how circular practices can increase the life-cycle value of products by 75% and create 78 million jobs by 2030. He encouraged attendees to take the Lifestyle test by Sitra to understand and reduce their carbon footprint.

Krista Kampus shared her experiences in making Tallinn more sustainable, comparing the process to nurturing a garden: “It blossoms where you water it.” Her insights highlighted the importance of integrating circular economy and sustainability into all aspects of development, from governance to cooperation with legacy projects.

Afternoon synergies

After a morning of inspiring talks, the afternoon was dedicated to thematic sessions. Here, project representatives shared their challenges and successes, finding common ground and potential synergies. The rooms were filled with discussions and the promise of future collaborations.

Exploring real examples

The day didn’t end there. Participants had the chance to go on four site visits, providing them with firsthand insights into the projects. These visits offered a connection to the discussions of the day, bringing theory into practice. The site visits were organised to Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol (business development), Humana Sorting Centre (circular economy), Pelgulinna State Gymnasium (opportunities for young people in the wooden buildings sector) and Viimsi municipality (stormwater management).

Looking Forward

We at the Central Baltic hope that the event not only provided valuable insights but also fostered connections that will drive the transition towards a circular economy and sustainable development. A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers and participants who made this event memorable and valuable.

Enjoy the gallery below, featuring photos taken by Karli Saul.