Driving Innovation: partners gather in Estonia

6–8 October 2025 | Matsalu National Park, Estonia

BaltCOP partners gathered in Estonia for a dynamic three-day workshop aimed at tackling one of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges: restoring and managing catchments to reduce nutrient pollution and improve biodiversity. This collaborative event brought together experts, NGOs, and universities to share knowledge, test solutions, and plan the next steps for a healthier Baltic Sea. 

Excess nutrients from agriculture and wastewater are a major cause of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. BaltCOP is pioneering a catchment-based approach to address these issues through practical restoration projects, innovative monitoring, and strong stakeholder engagement. This partner workshop was a key milestone in aligning efforts across Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden. 

Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange 

The workshop began with a field visit to pike factory sites at Teorehe and Sauemere, offering participants a real-world view of restoration challenges. Day two focused on collaboration and knowledge exchange: partners presented progress, discussed project management and communication strategies, and reviewed the draft BaltCOP Guidebook—a practical resource for Catchment Officers. Technical sessions explored water sampling results and monitoring methods, while communication workshops provided hands-on training for interviews and video storytelling. The day closed with strategic discussions on policy work and the BaltCOP Roadmap, setting the stage for future impact. 

The final day featured visits to Penijõgi River and Asupi Stream, led by experts from Tartu University and ELF. These excursions showcased restoration techniques and sparked conversations about biodiversity benefits and long-term sustainability. Exploring Penijõgi River and Asupi Stream inspired a tangible sense of progress and the complexity of restoration work. These visits reinforced the importance of practical, cross-border collaboration to achieve lasting environmental benefits. 

Elevating Partner Storytelling 

A dedicated communications track ran alongside the technical sessions, equipping participants with practical skills to capture compelling stories from the field. A hands-on workshop taught techniques for planning field trips with a storytelling mindset, shot planning, and ethical considerations. Participants also learned how to conduct impactful interviews—building rapport, asking powerful questions, and capturing authentic narratives for campaigns, reports, and social media. 

In the evening, communicators put theory into practice during an on-camera interview session with project experts. Guided by a professional trainer, they received real-time feedback to refine their approach and boost confidence. 

The field trip to restoration sites doubled as a content-gathering opportunity. Videographers captured footage and interviews with landowners, applying visual storytelling techniques covered earlier. This material will form the basis of a concluding video—a dynamic, corporate-style film showcasing collaboration, field visits, and shared achievements, ideal for social media and stakeholder outreach. 

Achievements and Next Steps 

ELF (Estonia) has advanced water sampling and hosted volunteer camps to engage local communities. Their main challenge remains the Oidrema site, where legal and technical hurdles have delayed ditch restoration, highlighting the need for stronger landowner cooperation. 

PDF (Latvia) is working with Riga Water to reduce nutrient loads through phosphorus filters and wastewater strategies. They are also producing videos with farmers and landowners to promote sustainable practices and preparing for major stakeholder events. 

LBTU (Latvia) has completed a comprehensive map of constructed wetlands and continues monitoring at Mezaciruli to track improvements in water quality and biodiversity. Plans include expanding phosphorus removal measures at additional sites. 

NVVF (Sweden) is preparing for wetland construction at Krämbol and leading the development of the BaltCOP Guidebook. Their communication efforts include videos, brochures, and social media campaigns to raise awareness and share lessons learned.