The RARE-G project partners held their kick-off meeting at Turku University of Applied Sciences on 8–9 September 2026. The meeting brought together five organisations from Latvia, Estonia and Finland to align their work, prepare the pilot sites and establish practical arrangements for project governance.

One goal and two connected tracks

RARE-G aims to reduce pollution entering the Baltic Sea by combining the implementation of nature-based stormwater solutions with a transferable, GIS-enabled risk assessment approach. The pilots will generate practical evidence, while the shared assessment framework will help municipalities and water utilities identify vulnerable assets and make better-informed investment decisions.

The partnership consists of Jūrmala Water as Lead Partner, Tallinn University of Technology, Viimsi Municipality, Turku University of Applied Sciences and the City of Kaarina. Together, the partners combine municipal and utility experience with expertise in research, design, monitoring and data analysis.

From site data to four pilot solutions

During the meeting, the partners presented their roles across the project’s three work packages: design and development, implementation and testing, and monitoring and analysis. Particular attention was given to the first two reporting periods, when the partnership will compile pilot-site data, carry out surveys, clarify permitting pathways and define technical and monitoring requirements.

RARE-G includes four nature-based solution pilots in three territories. Jūrmala is developing a stormwater treatment and flow-management solution in Ķemeri. Viimsi plans an artificial waterfall and retention pond near Lubja cliff, while Kaarina will implement two stream-based solutions in the Rauvolanoja and Ladjakoskenpuro areas. Before construction, the partners will compare performance, cost, maintenance needs and wider benefits to select fit-for-purpose designs.

Shared governance and immediate next steps

The kick-off agenda also covered governance, decision-making, partner reporting, document management, communication and programme requirements. Ivo Volt, Project Manager at the Central Baltic Joint Secretariat, provided guidance on reporting, cost eligibility, publicity and maintaining a clear audit trail.

The immediate work includes compiling existing information in the shared GIS database, confirming pilot boundaries and data owners, agreeing the scope of field surveys, starting baseline monitoring and opening timely discussions with the relevant authorities. This preparation will provide the foundation for detailed design, procurement and construction in the following project periods.

The two-day programme concluded with a pilot-site visit hosted by the City of Kaarina and Turku University of Applied Sciences.

About RARE-G

RARE-G runs for 36 months, from June 2026 to May 2029, with a total budget of EUR 1,792,186. The European Regional Development Fund contribution is EUR 1,433,749, representing 80% of the project budget. The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027.More information: centralbaltic.eu/project/rare-g/

For more information, contact:

Project Management – Lead partner:
Aivars Kamaruts
📞 +371 29 209 695
📧 aivars.kamaruts@jurmalasudens.lv