ERB Executive Board meeting in Växjö

On 16th June 2014 the Executive Board of Euroregion Baltic held its meeting in Växjö, Sweden discussing issues with respect to the transfer of the International Secretariat of the organisation, upcoming activities of the ERB Youth Board and a closing report from the ERB Task Force on Cohesion Policy. (more…)

The 5th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was held together with the 16th Baltic Development Forum Summit on 3-4 June 2014 in Turku, Finland. (more…)

The latest edition of the Baltic Sea Region Programme Newsletter brings important information about the latest developments within the Programme.

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European Commission published its report concerning the governance of macro-regional strategies. The report proposes among others greater role for the member states in the implementation of the EUSBSR and will be discussed during the Italian presidency.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt is going to visit the Polish capital Warsaw on 3-4 June. There, he will participate in the 25th anniversary of Poland’s democratic emancipation.

On June 4, 1989 the first relatively free elections after the war were carried out in Poland. This was a crucial step in the political transformation and democratic transition in Poland and other Eastern and Central European countries. A quarter of a century after that historic event, a large jubilee ceremony is held in Warsaw attended by heads of state and governments and other dignitaries, among others by U.S. President Barack Obama. The ceremony will provide an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives on various current issues.

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Since the beginning of 2014 the Baltic Sea Cluster Development Centre has been actively pursuing new funding opportunities to further develop its cooperation activities in the near future, especially through the next generation of territorial cooperation programmes within the Baltic Sea Region. At the same time the BSCDC has been working with existing structures by linking them to new cooperation initiatives.

Some weeks ago a very promising meeting was held with the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) during which it was agreed that a closer cooperation between the BSCDC and NCM’s green growth bio-economy initiative would be maintained, which in turn would provide new opportunities for BSCDC partners involved in clean-tech and food clusters.

Another interesting opportunity for the BSCDC is to unite in terms of facilitating clean-tech cluster-to-cluster cooperation to create channels for business-to-business cooperation in far-away markets. The BSCDC has recently been approached by a cluster organisation from South Africa which would be keen to organize a SA-BSR clean-tech expo and cluster and business matchmaking in connection with Cape Town World Design Capital 2014. This would happen at the end October or early November 2014.

Also, the BSCDC is in a dialogue with the Baltic Development Forum on a possible organisation of a BSCDC cluster-to-cluster and business-to-business session during the Baltic Sea Days in Turku in the first week of June. Furthermore, on 27-28th October 2014 the Euroregion Baltic will organise its annual Forum where a discussion will be held on future cooperation with BSCDC. This could also provide  excellent opportunities to advance BSCDC cooperation.

For more information on recent developments in the Baltic Sea Cluster Development Centre, please visit its official website.

ONE BSR Project published its newsletter. Thematic scope of the newsletter covers branding, marketing and promotion of Baltic Sea Region.

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The EUSBSR newsletter April 2014 issue addresses the Turku Baltic Sea Days including the 5th Annual Forum of the EUSBSR which is held together with the 16th Baltic Development Forum Summit.

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ERB is looking for a head of its International Permanent Secretariat which provides support both to ERB political and administrative bodies. This is a full-time position requiring excellent administrative and social skills, as well as a good deal of travelling, but offering exciting international work environment and attractive conditions. Are you initerested, see how you can apply in this attachment: ERB_IPS_job_announcement.

Mr Vytautas Grubliauskas, Mayor of Klaipeda and President of the Association Klaipeda region, took over the position of the President of Euroregion Baltic from Mr Per Ole Petersen and will lead the organization in 2014. Mr Wiesław Byczkowski, Deputy Marshal of Pomorskie Voivodeship will be a Vice-President. Transfer of Presidency was the key point in the agenda of Euroregion Baltic Executive Board meeting, which took place in Klaipeda on 20th March.

ERB Executive Board made also some critical decisions concerning internal structure of Euroregion Baltic. Starting from 1st July 2014, ERB International Permanent Secretariat will have a new seat in Olsztyn at Foundation “Support and Promotion of Enterprise in Warmia and Mazuria”. A recruitment process for the new Head of International Secretariat will begin in April. This solution will last until Euroregion Baltic acquires a legal personality as international association. Draft statutes of such international association was adopted by ERB  Board. The process of registration of association will begin as soon as the Russian party gives its approval.

Apart from that, ERB Board approved a new Chair of Euroregion Baltic Youth Board. It will be Ms Maria Kjaergard from Bornholm and Mr Mateusz Kryżba from Warminsko-Mazurskie Voviodeship will be her deputy. Finally, ERB Board accepted Annual_Report_2013_final and adopted both ERB Action Plan for 2014 – 2014 and main activities planned within the Youth Board.