BALTIC SEA CHALLENGE
Baltic Sea Challenge - Cities for a Healthier Sea
- Thematic cluster:
- Vigorous sea
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 1. Safe and healthy environment
- Direction of support:
- Environmental awareness raising and expertise
- Duration:
- May 2010 - Apr 2012 (2 years, 0 months)
- Total funding:
- 481 688 €
- ERDF funding:
- 378 855 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Reducing nutrient inputs to the sea to acceptable levels
- Website:
- http://www.citiesforahealthiersea.net
Development idea
The Baltic Sea is in an alarming condition. The responsibility to improve its condition lay at all levels of governance. It was therefore difficult to identify the opportunities and responsibilities of the various actors such as the public administration, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the general public.
Aim of the project
The Baltic Sea Challenge project improved the state of the Baltic Sea by implementing water protection measures on a voluntary basis at a local level. The project created tools to introduce water protection aspects into everyday functions within the city administration and decision-making processes at local level. The project focused on the challenges and opportunities in the field of eutrophication. Furthermore, the project encouraged new actors such as cities and municipalities, NGOs and schools to participate in the protection of the Baltic Sea.
Main project activities
The project partners promoted and implemented voluntary action plans for the recovery of the Baltic Sea, prepared investment plans, carried out awareness-raising activities such as cross-border seminars, working groups, training sessions, high-level round-table discussions, a quiz for children and also organised a Baltic Sea art workshop.
Partners
City of Helsinki
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 186 964 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 62 321 €
Tallinn City Government Environment Department
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 89 181 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 15 738 €
REC Estonia (Estonian Country Office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe)
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 22 717 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 4 009 €
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG)
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 32 642 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 5 760 €
Estonian Regional and Local Development Agency
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 4 974 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 878 €
City of Turku
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 17 959 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 5 986 €
Centrum Balticum
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 24 419 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 8 140 €
Results
A handbook for voluntary Baltic Sea protection in cities and municipalities
The handbook "Action for a Healthier Sea!" introduces good examples of water protection actions and action plan work carried out in the Baltic Sea Challenge network for the purpose of voluntary Baltic Sea protection function on a local scale in cities and municipalities.
The guide is designed to help new actors in the Baltic Sea Challenge network to create their own action plans by sharing practical information and giving ideas and concrete examples of implemented water protection measures. The main target group of the handbook are civil servants and decision-makers.
