Highlights

ChemSAR project is an EUSBSR Flagship aiming to no less than save human lives. Human lives will be saved by improving the efficiency of the rescue operations at sea. The rescue operations will become more effective with the help of standard operational procedures which the project creates, especially to be used in hazardous and noxious substances incidents.

A digital Flagship of Policy Area Innovation, project DIGINNO (Digital Innovation Network), was launched on 5 September in Tallinn. DIGINNO’s objective is to advance the digital economy and to speed up the process of moving towards the Baltic Sea region single digital market. The project aims to increase the capacity of policymakers, industry associations and industrial SMEs to enable faster and more efficient uptake of digital solutions both in public and private sector.

“Let’s communicate!” project organized a session on funding the EUSBSR in the Connectivity Lounge of the 8th Annual Forum organized in Berlin.

On 14th June 2017, on the second day of the 8th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and during a Plenary Session on Strategic Cooperation on Sustainable Blue Growth in the Baltic Sea Region, the Baltic Sea Clean Maritime Awards of the Baltic Sea Forum were given out. The projects and actions awarded are strongly in line with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

Connectivity is the theme of the 8th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It is clear that transnational cooperation connects us. Through a multitude of Baltic Sea Region projects and joint initiatives we have, over several years, facilitated the evolution of vast networks, resulting in strong bonds between organisations as well as people. But connectivity is not a goal in itself; it is merely a means to achieving more tangible results with long-term impacts on society and our economy.

The Cambridge Dictionary offers multiple meanings for the verb “connect”. One of them is: “to feel close to someone or have a good relationship with them”. The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) offers every year for the key stakeholders a chance to connect with each other and form new relationships. This year in Berlin, the Annual Forum is organized for the eighth time.