At its meeting on 10th October 2024, the national coordinators group authorised that Centrum Balticum and the City of Hamburg to continue their work as the secretariat of the Strategy together with the Eastern Norway County Network. Funding for the work was confirmed until the end of the year 2028 at the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme in March 2025.
The aim of the Strategy is to bring the countries around the Baltic Sea Region closer to each other and to promote cooperation between the eight member states. The Baltic Sea Strategy Point, which has been operating since 2022, has achieved significant results in supporting the implementation and developing the Strategy.
“Together with the National Coordinators and Policy Area Coordinators, we have created a monitoring system, that provides a clearer way to evaluate the impacts of the Strategy. We have designed the schedule for Strategy’s Action Plan update and the work phases that engage all significant stakeholders. In addition, we have strengthened the governance and continuation of the Strategy by developing practices that make it easier for new actor to join in”, says Juhani Ailio, Project Manager of the Strategy Point.
“The Strategy Point has developed its communication determinedly. We have produced communication materials, organised events, improved the online visibility of the Strategy and targeted communication for strategically important groups. Thanks to this work, the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is now better known in the member states and EU. In addition, we have developed the planning and implementation of the Annual Forum. The EUSBSR Annual Forum is now better aligned with the objectives of the Strategy and provides participants with valuable encounters for instance with funding programmes and potential project partners”, Ailio continues.
Juhani Ailio facilitated the Strategy Coordinators workshop in Riga in March 2024
The Plan for the years 2025-2028: active dialogue and impressive results
The priorities for the project sequel are based on the recommendations of the National Coordinators and the achievements made so far. The aim is to consolidate the positive impacts of the Strategy and harness its full potential.
“We have created a foundation for strategic advocacy work and improvement of conditions for cooperation. The measurability of the results has been taken into account in the update of the Action Plan, which will enable clear communication about the impacts in the future. We have identified ways to better reconcile common international objectives and different funding instruments, and the next goal is to put these lessons into practice”, Juhani Ailio tells about the future plans.
Baltic Sea Strategy Point Priorities for 2025-2028
- Communication and dialogue: Developing communication is a key part of Strategy Point’s work. In the future, the aim is to strengthen the visibility of the Strategy and enhance dialogue between internal and external stakeholders.
- Clear administrative and cooperation practices: The aim is to embed good governance practices into the daily work of each actor. This supports the implementation of common objectives. It is essential that new actors can easily integrate into the work and become part of efficient internal information sharing.
- Effective use of funding: The actors working on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region have identified actions significant and effective for the entire region. The Strategy Point is now focusing on channeling funding to these actions in collaboration with the Policy Area Coordinators and National Coordinators. This ensures that resources are used efficiently, the impact of EU-funded projects increases and citizens benefit from international cooperation in a concrete way.
“Together with National Coordinators and Policy Area Coordinators we will ensure that the Strategy remains vibrant and delivers concrete benefits for the whole Baltic Sea Region”, sums Ailio.
