First draft submitted 3rd March 2006



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Report Structure



Chapter 2 provides for an executive summary and a general overview on all INTERREG projects and their overall relevance to the Baltic 21 Action Programme as well as their specific relevance to Baltic 21 joint actions, sectors and spatial planning.
In Chapter 3 specific projects are highlighted, which relate to the specific actions to be pursued within the framework of the Baltic 21 Joint Actions, Sector Actions and Spatial Planning Actions.
In Chapter 4 an overview is provided about policy impacts, policy recommendations, new tools, pilot projects and best practice cases produced or to be produced by various INTERREG projects in relation to sustainable development in the BSR.
Chapter 5 discusses the gaps identified as a result of the comparison between the Baltic 21 Action programme and the INERREG projects.
In Chapter 6 focuses on the future Lighthouse Project development by identifying possible LHP candidates from the current INTERREG programme, addressing the current development of the new EU financing facility and discussing possible themes for future Lighthouse Projects in the light of the identified gaps and the new programme.
Chapter 7 draws general conclusions from the current linkages between INTERREG and Baltic 21 and makes recommendations as to the future involvement of Baltic 21 in this facility.

  1. Executive Summary

The current report provides an overview on the INTERREGIIIB BSR programme with regard to its relevance to the Baltic 21 Action Programme.


It shows that despite the fact that both programmes have not been designed to meet the needs of each other, both programmes can gain substantial mutual benefit from a strong cooperation: Baltic 21 initiated projects show greater political impact than others due to their inter-linkage with transnational and national bodies. Baltic 21 is therefore not only a valuable source to INTERREG for highly relevant projects in the area of sustainable development, but also an excellent multiplicator for these projects. INTERREG in turn has proven to be not the only but probably the most valuable financing tool for Baltic 21 Lighthouse Projects.
At the same time the current report also highlights the need for an improved co-operation between both programmes: While none of the 126 INTERREG projects is to the detriment of sustainable development, only a small percentage of the approved projects is closely correlated to sustainable development as defined by the Baltic 21 Action Programme. The assessment has shown that hardly any projects initiated outside the Baltic 21 network are really reflecting its own needs. Whereas the INTERREG programme as a facility for territorial cohesion and regional development cannot reflect all Baltic 21 Action lines, there is thus the clear need for Baltic 21 to take a more pro-active role in developing projects which promote its own goals.
Given the emphasis of the priorities & measures of the INTERREG programme it is only logical that the Baltic 21 transport, tourism and spatial planning sectors and the joint action of city cooperation show the highest percentage of INTERREG projects. But also in those sectors “sustainable development” is mainly reflected in those projects initiated by the members of Baltic 21 and there are still gaps to be filled in future programming rounds in these sectors.
The Agriculture and Industry sector and related joint actions in the field of technology procurement and consumer awareness are at the same time among the most neglected areas within INTERREG. Whereas agriculture does not play a role at all, there are, however, many business promotion projects. But hardly any of them touch upon sustainable development issues.
The Forest and Energy Sector (and related joint actions) are also not represented by many INTERREG projects. But those few are all highly relevant to the Baltic 21 Actions. Whereas the Baltic Forest LHP project is almost a mirror of the Baltic 21 Forest Sector, there are, however, still many gaps to be filled among the energy projects in terms of types of energy sources covered, partnership structures, geographic scope and policy impact.
In view of these gaps and the currently known priorities for the new Operational Programme, the suggested LHP Themes a) Arable Land (Bio-energy production, its use and codes), b) Sustainable Production and Consumption and c) Innovation and Sustainable Development are highly recommended to be further developed among the Baltic 21 network structures and to be promoted by Baltic 21 in the forthcoming consultation process with the JPC. It is further argued that Baltic 21 should highlight to the JPC the need for a stronger emphasis on environmental concerns within future supported transnational development zones, not only but also within regions embracing non-EU countries and to safeguard that rural development is not neglected in light of the emphasis on urban zones.
Whereas individual INTERREG projects have made some progress in terms of creating a more coherent and BSR wide comparable set of data and information flow, it is strongly suggested to use the future ESPON2 facility in order to support both INTERREG as well as Baltic 21 aims by providing BSR-targeted research.
At the same time it is highly recommended that Baltic 21 treats the Promotion of the Eco-Region as a “Lighthouse” project on its own. The current assessment has shown that – while valuable results might be achieved by INTERREG also with regard to sustainable development – most of the information remains “locked in” within the projects themselves. By its very nature Baltic 21 is much better placed to promote results achieved (not only but also via INTERREG) in the process of turning the Baltic Sea Region into a leading trans-national Eco-Region. Given the new “environment” priority of the Operational Programme, INTERREG might even at the same time serve as a financing tool for Baltic 21 to realise a LHP Theme around this promotional task.
In line with VASABs vision of “Connecting Potentials” this report is therefore a plea to Baltic 21 and INTERREG to fulfil their “Full Potentials”.



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