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The final programme for the “ERB South Baltic Agenda” seminar

Please see below the final agenda for the online seminar planned for 9th April 2021. We welcome all ERB Stakeholders to join us and learn how:

  • ERB contributes to the Interreg South BalticProgramme (SBP);
  • what are the perspectives and planned policy objectives for Interreg SBP 2021-27;
  • how we can align the planned SBP objectives with the work in
    ERB Water Core Group, ERB MobilityCore Group and ERB Youth Board;
  • what are the possibilities for ERB Stakeholderscooperation in the area of tourism


Joint Secretariat of the Interreg South Baltic Programme has released information about the current state-of-the-art in programming the Interreg SBP for the years 2021-2027. You can read it below on go directly to the Interreg SBP website: https://southbaltic.eu/interreg-south-baltic-2021-2027

Euroregion Baltic is directly involved in the works on the new Programme for 2021-2027 being an active member of the Joint Programming Committee, members of two SWokring Groups for the new Programme, as we as leading the Join Delegation of Euroregions in the Programme Monitoring Committee.

The Joint Programming Committee (JPC) was established and the 1st meeting took place on 4th February 2020, during the meeting, the JPC Rules of Procedure, as well as Terms of Reference for the socio-economic analisys, were adopted. In the following months, the public procurement procedure was carried out and the best offer was selected. Contract with the PWC Advisory was signed on 18th June 2020.

During the second meeting of the JPC held on 22nd of June 2020, PWC Advisory presented the methodological report and the first results of the study. The cooperation with the Contractor was divided into two stages:

  • In the first stage, Contractor was obliged to conduct socio-economic analysis, SWOT/TOWS analysis and Problems and Objectives Tree (POT). The socio-economic analysis, SWOT and POT stage ended on 8 October 2020 and it was a starting point for further discussions and decisions on Programme Strategy, Priorities and Specific Objectives;
  • In the second stage on the basis of the conducted research, surveys and workshops with JPC, MA, JS, public stakeholders etc. (held in the Summer) as well as requirements and requests submitted during the 3rd JPC meeting (10th September 2020), Contractor prepared a proposal of the Programme Strategy, Priority Axes and Specific Objectives, covering:

In the Programme Strategy

– characteristics of the eligible area; 

– most important common challenges;

– characteristics of the basic social, economic and territorial differences occurring in the CP area.

In the Programme Priorities and Specific Objectives

– justification of the choice;

– related types of actions and their expected contribution;

– indicative percentage breakdown of funds by category of intervention;

– first proposal of the output indicators and result indicators selected from the common list;

– the main target groups.

The first proposal of the Strategy and Programme Priorities was delivered on 20 October 2020 by the PWC Advisory. Working Group 1 was established by the JPC (20 October 2020) and started work jointly with the Contractor on Programme Strategy and Priorities. During the 4th JPC meeting organised on 3-4 November, 2020 first draft of the Strategy was presented.

The next step was the establishment (19 November 2020) of the Working Group 2 for the implementation arrangements of the future Programme. Afterwards, the second draft of the Strategy and Programme Priorities incorporating the results of the WG1 discussions was developed on 30 November 2020.

Currently, work is focused on the joint elaboration of contribution to Programme Document according to the template for Interreg Programmes as stated in the draft of Interreg regulation:

  • Programme strategy: main development challenges and policy responses etc.;
  • Priorities, covering: specific objectives, types of actions, indicators, main target groups etc.; 
  • Financing plan (incl. ERDF and national co-financing);
  • Implementing provisions (Programme Authorities, liabilities of Member States );
  • Use of simplified costs options.

During the 5th JPC meeting planned for 12th January 2021, the final draft of the Strategy, Priorities and Specific Objectives should be adopted. In the next steps planned for I – II Quarter of 2021, the process of drafting of the Cooperation Programme document as well as Strategic Environmental Assessment will begin.

The Joint Secretariat of the Interreg South Baltic Programme encourages all stakeholdrs to take part in the public consultations of these documents. Information will appear on the programme website in due course.

Dear UMBRELLA project beneficiaries,

On behalf of the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic as Lead Partner of Umbrella Project and on behalf of the whole project partnership,

We’d like to invite you to take part in a focus group discussion, a ‘group interview’ whose scope would be to consult relevant stakeholders who could valuably contribute in the consultation to build up the priorities of the new INTERREG South Baltic programming period 2021-2027.

The discussions will be conducted online- in groups of maximum 15 people- in a friendly and informal environment with the aim to collect honest opinions, new ideas, needs from the stakeholders on the topics below.

Platform: ZOOM. A link for the participation will be sent to you in advance

FOCUS GROUP 1

TITLE: Building civil & inclusive society

Umbrella partner responsible: Pomorskie in the EU Association (PL)

Moderator: Jens Masuch

DATE: 19th Nov 2020 13.00-15.00 CET

Main areas to investigate:

  1. Citizen engagement
  2. More inclusive Interreg projects
  3. Civil education
  4. New and upgraded tools for citizen engagement

FOCUS GROUP 2

Title: Blue and green growth

Umbrella partner responsible: Kalmar Region (SE)

Moderator: Jens Masuch

DATE: 5th November 2020 10.00-12.00 CET

Main objectives to investigate:

  1. Promoting sustainable water management
  2. New and upgrades capacity for waste water
  3. Biodiversity
  4. Circular economy

FOCUS GROUP 3

Title: Energy transition/Connectivity

Partner responsible: Klaipeda University

Moderator: Kristina Koebe

DATE: 9th November 2020 15.00 – 17.00 CET

Main areas to investigate:

  1. Fossil fuel-free transport sector – the need for energy storage possibilities.
  2. Production of renewable energy and solutions
  3. Improved structures for varied and broadened access to renewable energy
  4. Need to strengthen power grids for smart energy usage due to electrification of vehicles
  5. Combat and mitigate climate changes

FOCUS GROUP 4

Title: Sustainable & innovative tourism

Partner responsible: Guldborgsund Municipality (DK)

Moderator: Jens Masuch

DATE: 10th Nov 2020 TBC 10.00-13.00 CET

Main areas to investigate

  1.     Sustainable tourism
  2.     Digitalisation in tourism
  3.     Competence development in tourism

IMPORTANT:

  • Questions and/or other material will be sent in advance to the participants in advance to the participants
  • Remember that “Everyone’s contribution is important”. So, get involved!
  • The moderator will write a report of the main findings that will be shared with the Interreg South Baltic Programme Joint Secretariat and Joint Programming Committee members working on the new Interreg South Baltic Programme for 2021-2027
  • Publication: the report and a recording of the webinar will be made available on Moodle platform- on enrolment in the section dedicated.

Hope that this initiative is of interest to you, we hope to see you soon online and we thank you in advance for your kind contribution.

Kind regards,

Euroregion Baltic and Umbrella team


The Interreg South Baltic Programme invites to its 5th Annual Event!

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and concerns regarding the situation later this year we decided to meet virtually.

On the 17th of September at 10 am we will meet to share thoughts on the impact of Interreg funds on small regions and celebrate the 30 years of Interreg and European Cooperation Day.

The two online panel sessions will be led by Regional Contact Point Bornholm who will meet with Danish projects partners and local authorities in the Museum of Bornholm in Rønne. On the premises of the Museum, we installed an exhibition which is a part of the celebration of 30 years of Interreg and European Cooperation Day. On colourful posters, we will see projects developed under 5 Interreg programmes with Denmark in their region.

During the first panel, representatives of South Baltic projects will discuss the influence of their projects’ results on the everyday life of regions and present case studies. The second session will be devoted to the future of the South Baltic Programme. Together with politicians from different Member States, we will talk about the upcoming Programme period and regional cooperation. Participants will have a chance to post their questions to panellists during the Q&A time. What is more, to entertain you, we invite all for a short quiz to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Interreg.

Look into the agenda for the detailed event’s programme:  https://bit.ly/3jEU7pa

Registration is now open. Click here to register: https://southbaltic.eu/registration2020

After registering, no later than a 1 day before the event, you will receive an email from the JS with an official confirmation of participation with login credentials to the ZOOM platform.

Make sure to join with us, as Umbrella project team will be present and ready to discuss the results of our projects, as well as the future possible capacity-building activities.

The Baltic Sea is severely affected by general threats like biodiversity loss and climate change, and by specific local pressures such as eutrophication, overfishing, elevated levels of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, and litter, in particular plastic waste. Concerned by the poor state of the Sea and its marine environment, EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius is organising a high-level conference on possible actions to redress the situation. Our Baltic conference will take place on 28 September 2020 in Palanga, Lithuania, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, organised by DG ENV.

Our Baltic will gather ministers, decision-makers, scientists and stakeholders from NGOs and industry in the region and across the EU to discuss the challenges faced by this sea. In line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Zero Pollution ambition announced in the European Green Deal, the Conference will focus on how to reduce the pressure from fisheries and the input of pollutants, litter and contaminants, including pharmaceuticals. It aims to boost commitment to the existing goals for the area in EU legislation, and opens the way to further commitments and new actions to tackle these problems.

The event will combine a high-level Ministerial session and stakeholder discussions. Ministers for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries from eight EU Member States in the region (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden) have been invited and are expected to sign a Ministerial Declaration at the Conference. A beach clean-up event will take place on the day preceding the Conference, on 27 September.

Link to the webstreaming: available on the day of the day of the Conference, 28 September

To see agenda click here: draft_agenda_baltic_conference_0

More info and registration form: https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/our-baltic-conference-Palanga-Lithuania_en

We are super excited to announce that our project has been extended until the end of the year! What does it mean for you?

Even more webinars with our experts who will help you in creating new, original projects or improving those already started. Also, check out #Umbrella training and rent-an-expert sessions on-line! Soon we will come back with the first dates and information on the topics. If you’re looking for some specific topic or have any suggestions – just let us know!

Guldborgsund Municipality, together with UMBRELLA Interreg South Baltic project partners is pleased to invite you to attend the 2-day cross-border conference with EUSBSR Tourism PA panel in Sakskøbing (DENMARK) on 25th – 26TH February 2020 (from lunch-to-lunch).

The objective of the cross-border conference is to bring various tourism stakeholders that show a common interest in international cooperation in the region of the Baltic Sea together. The conference offers an excellent opportunity to learn about future trends concerning the on-going discussions on sustainable tourism in the South Baltic Sea, extending your international network, and get inspiration for future international cooperation and projects.

Preliminary Programme

Tuesday 25th February 2020 (12:00-17:00 & dinner)

Presentations and debate about future trends of sustainable tourism and the objectives in the EU Baltic Sea Strategy.

Wednesday 26th February 2020 (9:00-13:00)

Parallel workshops in the areas of:

·         Cultural / Heritage Tourism

·         Nature / Coastal Tourism

·         Food / Gastro Tourism

·         Specialised „Microactivity on cycling tourism” – The UMBRELLA project offers an opportunity for experts related to cycling tourism to develop ideas into potential projects. Please let us know specifically if you want to give a presentation about your project idea.

Registration:

Registration is now open CLICK HERE.

Conference participation is free of charge but there is a limited number of seats. Presentations will be held in English.

The venue:

The conference is taking place at Hotel Saxkjøbing in the beautiful old town of Sakskøbing in Guldborgsund Municipality. There is easy access from Copenhagen airport by car or train taking approximately 2 hours or from Germany by ferry from Puttgarden or Rostock.

For international participants, the Umbrella project offers a possibility of funding opportunities towards travelling and accommodation expenses.

Hotel Saxkjøbing // Torvet 9, 4990 Sakskøbing, Denmark // https://hotel-saxkjobing.dk/ There is a limited number of rooms at a reduced conference price of 655 DKK for standard rooms and 855 DKK for standard plus rooms. Please contact Anna Topp Gustavsen: atg@guldborgsund.dk.

The UMBRELLA project:

The event is funded by Interreg SBP Umbrella project with project partners from the South Baltic region. Read about UMBRELLA // http://umbrellaproject.eu/

For further information, please contact:

Anna Topp Gustavsen, International Coordinator, Tlf. +45 2518 0030, atg@guldborgsund.dk

On 11th December we have participated in the Workshop on future Pomeranian initiatives in the Interreg South Baltic 2020+ Programme organized by the Pomorskie Region contact point and Joint Secretariat.

The workshop was an opportunity to discuss the needs of beneficiaries that can be implemented in the future South Baltic 2020+ program, and their readiness to engage in new EU projects. We also had a chance to present complete UMBRELLA project offer and invite the interested stakeholders and newcomers to reach us and use our project offer.

The workshops were conducted modularly, i.e. a plenary session and a workshop part led by experienced experts. It was also an opportunity to exchange experiences and share your own thoughts on the shape of the future program, improvements in the implementation system and the scope of future projects.

We are happy to report that one of our ERB projects, where we act as a Partner – Interconnect was mentioned a few times as the “best practice” example. The #Interconnect project was noted by the moderator, Mr Adam Mikłajczyk from Pomorskie Marshal Office as an extremely creative example of a project, where intelligent use of the Interreg South Baltic Programme funds supports the implementation of the project’s main assumptions. 

For more information on workshops and the presentations from the South Baltic Programme, visit ewt.pomorskie.eu

Program of the meeting

08:00 – 08:30

Registration of meeting participants/coffee break

08:30 – 09:15

Opening of the event – Adam Mikołajczyk Director of DRRP UMWP

Summary of the Interreg South Baltic Program 2014-2020 – Dominika Butkiewicz Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat

Presentation of Umbrella project results – Magda Leszczyna – Rzucidło Head of the Euroregion Baltic Secretariat

09:15 – 09:30

Coffee break

09:30 – 14:30

Workshop part – moderators:

Workshop 1 – Joanna Przedrzymirska
Workshop 2 – Robert Mazurkiewicz
Workshop 3 – Jakub Fedorowicz
11:30 – 11:45 Coffee break
13:00 – 13:15 Coffee break
14:30 – 15:25

Workshop summary

15:25 – 15:55

Lunch

We encourage you to check our presentation regarding the UMBRELLA project!

We are pleased to inform you that the Mid-term conference will take place in Elblag on 4th of September 2019 (only for the Project Partners and Association Partners) as a joint event with the Warmia-Mazuria conference on the 5th of September.

We welcome all to join us for the conference on the 5th, please see the agenda below.

Agenda of the meeting:
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Dear Partners and Friends,

On behalf of the Interreg South Baltic Programme Joint Secretariat Team, we are forwarding an invitation to their Workshop Session on The European Week of Regions and Cities 2019!

JS are organizing this workshop together with the Interreg Italy-France (Maritime) Programme, which will give all of us the opportunity to exchange across our regions.

What we offer you in our workshop

Smaller regions and cities with the support of Cooperation Programmes have co-developed joint solutions together with strong innovation-oriented actors such as universities, incubators or science and technology parks in cross-border cooperation.

After achieving many valuable results we are not at the end of this journey. In group work, all participants of the workshop will identify future challenges in their home regions. All participants will be invited to join the discussions and contribute their own experiences, future challenges and possible ideas.

The results from the discussions will be presented to the Programming Committee creating the next Programme Period 2021-2027 of the Interreg South Baltic Programme.

Please find more information and the workshop’s program here on our website.

Please find the program as well attached to this email.

Registration available here.

Important! Create your EU Login before registering! (Click on EU Login in the upper right corner of the EURegionsWeek’s website.)
As there are limited seats on the Workshop Session, we recommend registering as soon as possible! We recommend making travel arrangements as soon as possible, as prices are rising.

We recommend registering as well for other sessions, as this year’s program of the EURegionsWeek is very interesting!

For more information contact the JS Team!

Joint Secretariat  |  Interreg South Baltic Programme 2014 – 2020

Al. Grunwaldzka 186  |  80-266 Gdańsk, Poland

Tel: +48 58 746 38 55 |  Fax: +48 58 761 00 30

Email: southbaltic@southbaltic.eu | www.southbaltic.eu

Cooperation for blue and green growth-01

The content of this website is the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, the Managing Authority or the Joint Secretariat of the South Baltic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020. The project UMBRELLA is partly financed from the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2014-2020 through the European Regional Development Fund.