Providing opportunities for cooperation in the Baltic Sea region

New initiatives and upcoming calls for funding provide opportunities for renewed cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. 

In this newsletter we announce our new initiative SI Baltic Sea Sessions - Sharing results, shaping the region. Our aim is that this new digital series will gather actors from all 15 countries of the SI Baltic Sea region i.e. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russian Federation, Sweden and Ukraine. Together we take a closer look at what has been achieved within the framework of SI-supported collaborations and what possibilities lie ahead of us for the development of our shared region. 

Below we illustrate how two projects had benefit from the SI funding. Baltic Water Peers, a project SI funded several years ago, shows how a small grant can led to a large and strong cooperation. The partnership continued in the EU-project RETROUT and mapped out how the region can work with sustainable fishing tourism. An ongoing project, BeUBio, aims to inspire more young entrepreneurs to find their future in the bioeconomy sector. 

We also highlight events and upcoming calls for project support in the Baltic Sea region. As the new EU programme period is starting up, the SI seed funding for cooperation projects in the Baltic Sea region is a tool that can be used to elaborate new ideas and new collaborations. 

SI Baltic Sea Sessions -
Sharing results, shaping the region

> DATE: 08.11.2021
> TIME: 13 - 14.30 (CET)
> WHERE: ONLINE ZOOM

Join us on 8 November as we launch the SI Baltic Sea Sessions - Sharing results, shaping the region. 

The SI Baltic Sea Sessions is a new digital initiative in which we explore results and lessons learnt through projects funded by the Swedish Institute in the Baltic Sea region. We also explore how the collaborations can be expanded and used as a basis for further funding and ultimately future solutions in the region.  

We plan to arrange four sessions yearly on various topics linked to the development of the Baltic Sea region. Each session deals with a specific topic and showcases projects and initiatives that have contributed to progress and sustainability of the region. Projects or activities that are presented can involve all SI's 15 programme countries. During each session we will also open up for reflections, dialogue and hopefully future connections. 

At the launch 8 November, we will present the initiative SI Baltic Sea Sessions and give a brief overview of the support provided by SI. We will also show examples of successful cooperation built on support from the SI which resulted in further EU funding and long-term collaborations. 

You will get a sneak peek at our upcoming call of the funding scheme “Seed funding for cooperation projects in the Baltic Sea region” which could be used to prepare new collaborations aimed at solving the challenges of the region. 

We invite all interested in the development of the Baltic Sea region to join us for the launch 8 November 2021.

A further session is planned for 7 December 2021. 

Register here 

Project on sustainable fishing tourism  Sea trout is a fish that spends most of its life in the sea but reproduces in rivers, and must therefore be able to move in between. Today, however, many rivers along the Baltic Sea are affected by human activities and both sea trout and other species are disturbed. The County Administrative Board of Stockholm wanted to find new ways to strengthen the sea trout stocks in the Baltic Sea and turned to the Swedish Institute for financial support to start up a cooperation around the Baltic Sea region. Six years later, the initiative has resulted in ripple effects. The support from SI was used for preparatory meetings with the project partners and laid the foundation for the EU-project RETROUT.  Read the full article

BeUBio inspires young people to start companies in the bioeconomy sector In an ongoing project, young entrepreneurs in bioeconomy sector share their experiences as entrepreneurs. The hope is that more people will open their eyes to the opportunities to start companies in this growing sector. To attract and inspire more young people to start companies in the bioeconomy, Alberto Giacometti at Nordregio, collects stories from young entrepreneurs.  - We want to inspire young entrepreneurs and give them an aha-feeling, where they realize that it is possible to do things differently and to create a sustainable company. Read the full article

> CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS

Programme to support Belarusian media
The programme aims to support Belarusian independent journalism and media arts initiatives and facilitate the production of high-quality, trustworthy and diverse content for Belarusian people on the developments in the country. The grant is funded by Nordic Council of Ministers, Norwegian Embassy in Lithuania and the Swedish Institute. The deadline for applications is 15 November, 2021
More information

Seed funding for cooperation projects in the Baltic Sea region
It is now time to start thinking of new collaborations with partner organisations in the Baltic Sea region to contribute to the sustainable development of our region. SI provides funding for joint projects in which Swedish organisations meet transnational challenges together with organisations from the Baltic Sea region countries including Russia and the countries of the Eastern Partnership. The next call opens 17 November, 2021 and closes 15 February, 2022. Info seminars and workshops for applicants will be arranged during the call. 
More information in English. 
More information in Swedish. 

Creative Force
Creative Force is open to Swedish organisations and their partners in our target countries who work through media or the arts to strengthen democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. The programme is open for 29 countries, including six in the Baltic Sea region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldavia and Ukraine. The next call (for seed funding and collaborative projects) will open in early December and close in late January.
More information in English. 
More information in Swedish. 

New grants programme for Sweden and Russia
SI is planning a new grants programme for cooperation between Sweden and Russia from 2022. Information about the new programme will be available shortly on our website. 

Third Country Participation in the Baltic Sea region
Third Country Participation in the Baltic Sea region offers actors based in Sweden the opportunity to apply for project funding for the inclusion of actors from Russia or the countries of the EU Eastern Partnership in a current EU-project or a flagship within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The next call opens during autumn 2022. 
More information in English.
More information in Swedish.

> EVENTS

Seminars and workshops on the EUSBSR
During the autumn and the winter, SI and a group of Swedish authorities and organisations will arrrange seminars and workshops about the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) aimed at Swedish stakeholders. The focus will be on how the EUSBSR can be used to implement the EU social pillar and the EU digital agenda. A seminar on social sustainability was held 5 October and a related workshop will be held on 9 November. A seminar on digitalization will be held on 23 November with a related workshop 18 January, 2022. See more information in our events section.

Videos from EUSBSR Annual Forum 2021
If you did not have the chance to follow the plenary sessions of the 12th EUSBSR Annual Forum they are now avaialable online. You can find them here. 
 

The Swedish Institute (SI) seeks to strengthen Sweden's relations and develop cooperation with the countries located around the Baltic Sea and the countries of the EU Eastern Partnership i.e. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russian Federation, Sweden and Ukraine. Our activities in the Baltic Sea region contribute to the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and to the EU Eastern Partnership framework. Read more.