Highlights

A new Flagship project was approved by the National Coordinators under Horizontal Action Climate. The actions of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region are implemented by means of Flagships. Flagships demonstrate the progress of the Strategy, and may serve as pilot examples for desired action in a given field. What does the Flagship status mean for the newly approved project?

Representatives from EUSBSR met with Norwegian maritime actors to show strategic and financial possibilities as well as concrete projects for Norwegian actors that want to become involved in Baltic Sea Region cooperation. The future of shipping, its technologies and competences - were also discussed and presented.

The BLASTIC project, an EUSBSR Flagship under Policy Area Hazards, aims to reduce plastic waste and, thereby, the inflow of hazardous substances into the Baltic Sea by mapping and monitoring the amounts of litter in the aquatic environment.

In November 2017, five new EUSBSR Flagships were adopted by the National Coordinators of the Strategy. The actions of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region are implemented by means of Flagships. Flagships demonstrate the progress of the Strategy, and may serve as pilot examples for desired action in a given field. We asked the newly approved Flagships what the status means to them.

  On 8th November 2017, in the Maritime Culture Centre in Gdańsk, Poland, an international seminar entitled “How Can Maritime Business Benefit from the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region?” was held. It was organized as part of “Let’s Communicate!” and “Smart Blue Regions” projects by “Pomorskie in the EU” Association, PA Ship and PA Safe. During the seminar, experts and companies from the maritime industry met to discuss current and potential maritime projects (covering the fields of shipping industry cooperation, logistics, port industry, shipping and occupational safety, biotechnological innovations, etc.)

The bioeconomy can deliver many of the solutions that will limit global warming and bring about a fair, prosperous and equal world for all. But to succeed, the bioeconomy must be sustainable. The Nordic Council of Ministers is leading initiatives in the Baltic Sea Region, encouraging industries to develop innovative solutions for a greener future. One example of this is the five principles for a sustainable bioeconomy that will be launched at COP23 in Bonn.