ERB Executive Board & Annual Stakeholders meeting in Karlskrona

Regional transnational, cross-sectoral, multi-level collaboration to secure and futureproof a sustainable energy supply, drive green transition and achieve local growth are key elements in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

The development of offshore power generation (wind and hybrid), connecting new infrastructure, and servicing an expanding energy sector offers many opportunities to regions bordering the Baltic Sea.

Region Blekinge would like you to join  an intensive day of showcasing, discussion and workshops about how we can best support and make the most of the green growth associated with the powerful Baltic Sea.

Last chance to register!

More information here: Invitation_Baltic Sea Power_Karlskrona_16 May

The event is held back to back with the Euroregion Baltic Executive Board meeting and celebration of the ERB 25th anniversary.

The WaterMan project started in January this year and will run for three years with 16 full partners from 6 different countries (SE, DK, DE, PL, LT, LV, EE). The project itself aims to promote water reuse in the Baltic Sea region. It adds a new element to water management that can make the water supply more resilient to climate change. The key players in water reuse are local authorities and water companies, most of whom are still new to the topic.

One of the first activities of the WaterMan project was the kick-off conference in Kalmar and Västervik, which took place on March 14-16, 2023.

Participants of the project conference were welcomed by a representative of Kalmar County and GA-MA consulting. Except of discussing the basic issues related to the project, each of the partners presented themselves and their involvement in the project.      

The second day of the conference was dedicated to pilot activities. Participants had the opportunity to participate in a study visit in Gamleby and Västervik, where they saw the pilot sites in Sweden and the current solutions regarding flooding and drought. In pilot locations, representatives of the cities told us about the place and the idea for action. A representative of Gamleby talked about the existing 1st generation dam, its concept, experience and the use of retained water. As part of the pilot of the WaterMan project, they want to recirculate retained water by extending the use of retained stormwater from multi-dam. In the second town of Västervik, the participants got to know the plans and challenge the city is facing. With the opportunity to test a pilot solution, they want to recirculate retained water by planning 2nd generation multi-dam(s) and preparing a local model water reuse strategy.

The meeting was attended by a large representation from Poland, i.e. the City Hall in Braniewo, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic. The project includes both soft and pilot actions. One of such pilot sites will be in the City of Braniewo, which, with the cooperation and support of experts from the Gdańsk University of Technology, will implement the planned pilot project on the recirculation of retained water: in the form of an urban rain garden by a public swimming pool, reuse of water from a public swimming pool. In addition, a local model strategy will be prepared: Municipal water re-use strategy.

Additionally, pilot projects will be implemented in Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. All activities concern the subject of limiting the use of water in the Baltic Sea region. Example of pilot sites:

• Recirculation of retained water: Storm water retention ponds in public areas,
• Recirculation of retained water: Underground rain water retention reservoir,
• Reuse of treated water: Reuse of WWTP water for hydrogen electrolysis power plant,
• Recirculation of retained water: Improved purification of WWTP effluent for agricultural irrigation,
• Large-scale reuse of water from wastewater treatment plants/adequate treatment for industrial and commercial purposes,
• Mobile system for disinfection of treated sewage,
• Dual pipe system in a public building.

Except of pilot activities, the project will be based on soft activities such as:

• study visits,
• international conferences,
• workshops,
• round tables,
• data analysis,
• creating models of water use strategies,
• organization of awareness-raising and knowledge-extending events,
• partner consultations,
• promotion of activities and the project.

The last day of the kick-off conference was devoted to the administrative and financial part of the project. The Leader Partner familiarized the partners with the procedures, rules and deadlines that are in the program. The leader and partners agreed on an action plan for this year, including another physical meeting and further online meetings. The last issue raised during the third day was the signing of the Partnership Agreement and the deadlines that partners must pay attention to when it comes to reporting substantive and financial activities.

On 2nd March 2023 the Euroregion Baltic Executive Board met in Rønne, Bornholm to officially commence its work for the 2023.

The representatives from Blekinge, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Klaipeda, Pomorskie, Warmia and Masuria Region, Association of Polish Communes ERB (online), ERB Youth Board and also special guests from BOFA Bornholm and BEOF Bornholm were warmly welcomed at the premises of Bornholm Regionkommune.

This year’s first Executive Board meeting was particularly important due to another changing presidency. The previous presidency held in 2022 by Warmia and Masuria Region represented by president Mr Gustaw Marek Brzezin was officially handed over to the Municipality of Bornholm and Mr Mikael Benzon, who became the new ERB president. The meeting was even more important as it officially started the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Euroregion Baltic.

During the meeting the Board Members not only discussed the ERB goals and activities implemented in 2022, future activities and steps planned for 2023, proposal of establishing a new task force within ERB for climate change and green transition (CCGT Task Force), but also current geo-political situation and its impact on both BSR cooperation and Euroregion Baltic. Also representative of the Water Core Group, Mr Torben Jørgensen presented report on the activities implemented in 2022.

“United by the Sea in Action for a Blue and Green Future – An Innovative, Sustainable, Attractive and Active South Baltic”.

Please take a look at the call for proposals for the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027.

The call for proposals will run until 15 February 2023.

The programme aims at actions focusing on economic, environmental and social development, natural and cultural heritage and cooperation between different heritage actors and cooperation between different actors in the area. Above all, the programme aims to improve the quality of life for residents through the blue and green growth of the area.

Applications for projects under the 1st Call for Proposals can be submitted under all axes of the Programme Priorities and Measures.

PRIORITY 1 – Innovative South Baltic

PRIORITY 2 – Sustainable South Baltic

PRIORITY 3 – Attractive South Baltic

PRIORITY 4 – Active South Baltic.

The budget for the entire call is: 79.9 million EUR

The application package and supporting materials can be found in the Call for proposals section of the Programme website – here

Project applications should be submitted through the WOD2021 system.

In addition, the Joint Secretariat has scheduled online meetings.

Online meetings: 26 January, 2 February and 9 February 2023 from 10.00-12.00 CET

Applicants can also ask specific questions about the WOD system prior to the online meeting by using the registration form or send questions to ami.sthb@southbaltic.eu

The Joint Secretariat is providing a series of individual consultations (online or in person at JS headquarters).

The consultations will take place from 23-25 January and 30 January – 1 February 2023.

Registration for individual consultations will be open until 18 January 2023

Registration Link

In order to register for the consultation, the owner of the project idea must complete the project idea template.

If you want to develop and implement your ideas while building your brand among international partners, we encourage you to take advantage of this call and we, as the Secretariat of the Association, will support you in developing your proposal and building consortia to find the best and well-fitting solutions for your needs.