BALTGEM partners meet for the first time and explore Satakunta region’s tourism offering
The BALTGEM project took an important first step towards cross-border cooperation when all three project partners met in person for the first time in the Satakunta region, Finland, on 8–9 September 2026.
The two-day kick-off brought together the project teams from Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), Finland, Kurzeme Planning Region, Latvia, and Biosphere Reserve Nedre Dalälven / Nedre Dalälven Interest Group, Sweden. The meeting provided an opportunity to get to know each other, establish a shared understanding of the project and its objectives, and take the first steps towards close cooperation.
Getting started together
During the kick-off, the partners gained an overview of the Interreg Central Baltic Programme and the practical aspects of implementing the project. The partners also discussed the planned activities, roles and responsibilities, and the first steps ahead.
As BALTGEM brings together three Baltic Sea regions with different tourism strengths and perspectives, the first meeting was an important opportunity to build connections and establish a common understanding of the project. More detailed work on the activities will continue as the project progresses.
Discovering Satakunta region beyond the meeting room
The kick-off was also an opportunity for the partners from Latvia and Sweden to discover some of Satakunta region’s tourism offering first-hand, while sharing experiences and learning from each other’s destinations and approaches to tourism development.
The programme included a visit to Ahlström Estate in Noormarkku, a historic ironworks village where industrial heritage, architecture, design and nature come together. The partners explored the unique cultural environment of the former ironworks community and learned more about its heritage and tourism experiences.
In Rauma, the group visited Old Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest coherently preserved wooden town area in the Nordic countries. Its historic streets are lined with more than 600 buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century, creating a unique living environment where centuries of history remain part of everyday life.
The partners also met local tourism stakeholders, including West Coast Seaservice, Visit Rauma and Leader Ravakka. These encounters offered insights into tourism businesses, destinations and development work in the region, as well as an opportunity to exchange ideas about international tourism.
Looking ahead
The first meeting laid the foundation for the cooperation that will continue over the coming three years. The partners will now move forward with activities aimed at strengthening tourism SMEs’ understanding of the UK market, developing joint tourism experiences and creating new connections with UK tour operators.
By bringing together expertise, destinations and tourism businesses from Finland, Latvia and Sweden, BALTGEM aims to showcase lesser-known Baltic Sea destinations and create new opportunities for cooperation with the UK tourism market.
The journey has now begun – and the first connections have been made.
