First draft submitted 3rd March 2006
Sector Action relevant Interreg projects
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- Energy Sector
- Fisheries sector
- Forests Sector
- Industry Sector
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- Transport Sector
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Sector Action relevant Interreg projectsAgriculture SectorEducation and Training Develop a Virtual Research Institute for sustainable agriculture Elaborate and implement agro-environmental legislation and policies The agriculture sector could only partly benefit from the INTERREG facility. Only one (BERAS) out of 126 INTERREG projects has dealt with agriculture exclusively and has touched upon the education/training and legislation/policy targets of the action programme. The impact of this project seems, however, to be limited. Linkages with projects from other joint / sector actions could be identified especially in the fields of bio-energy promotion, tourism, forest and most notably rural development. Furthermore some of the sub-regional projects (i.e. Baltic+) have also specifically covered the topic of sustainable agriculture. In all those cases the scope of activities was, however, very limited and in any case only devoted to education and training. The goal of the Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society – short: BERAS – project (2003-2006) was to document, evaluate and develop local organic production and consumption of food in the Baltic region. Ten local examples with studies of the whole food system and 50 reference farms around the Baltic Sea were chosen as pilot cases. The project was based on cooperation between producers, distributors and consumers in the eight countries Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark. Five scientific reports with results have been published and are available as free downloads from www.jdb.se/beras. The study show that a strategy change to ERA systems would open for a potential decrease of losses of plant nutrients to the Baltic Sea by 50%. The studies also show how households could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of non-renewable energy through diet change and choosing food from local ERA farms. The BERAS knowledge and ERA concepts is used by Associera Agriculture Adivsors (AAA) in Sweden to give strategic advice to farms. Energy SectorStrengthening co-operation between authorities Increasing renewable energy and promoting increased energy efficiency and energy savings Cooperation on Research and Development Most of the energy sector related INTERREG projects promote an increased use of renewable energy sources such as bio-energy and wind-energy. They have therefore already been covered under the related Joint Action (see 3.1.1). At the same time two still ongoing projects have energy saving measures at their focus and aim towards the creation of BSR wide networks in this field. ESCOBALT concentrates on the promotion of the Corporate Social Responsibility Concept (CSRC) and innovative technologies of energy saving and is thus focused on voluntary energy saving initiatives within companies. It has therefore also a strong link to the industry sector actions (see 3.2.5). BEEN creates a network of institutions promoting energy efficiency measures in building blocks. This project encompasses also national authorities in several BSR countries, which might increase its potential policy impact. The strategic objective of the Energy Saving Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Regions (ESCOBALT) project (2004-2007) is the introduction of the Corporate Social Responsibility Concept (CSRC) and innovative technologies of energy saving. The project aims towards establishing a transnational network of local authorities, energy producer associations and consumers and other interested organisations. The project supports the exchange of best practices, training in energy audits, integrated energy planning and the implementation of three pilot energy saving projects in the Baltic states (Estonia: Financing options of energy saving in distribution of district heating / Latvia: National programme for energy saving / Lithuania: Energy audit of Kaunas district heating system). The project includes an extensive public participation and dissemination programme (www.esprojects.net): This Energy Saving Network co-ordinates information flow related to EU financed energy efficiency projects in the Baltic Sea Region and neighbouring countries. The site introduces methods, tools and partners for the development of energy efficiency and corporate social responsibility in energy field. The Network is a contribution of local and regional level administrations, energy associations and companies to sustainable development in energy field. The Baltic Energy Efficiency Network project BEEN (2005-2007) aims to develop policies, strategies and instruments that promote and enable the energy efficient refurbishment (EER) of residential buildings as major contributors to energy waste and CO2 emissions, both in W-BSR as well as E-BSR countries. Based on joint studies on the technical, financial and legal conditions for EERs, the project shall result in best-practice projects, where the results of studies will lead to the implementation of innovative schemes. Fisheries sectorDeveloping long-term strategies for major fish stocks: Cod, Salmon, Herring and Sprat Achieving sustainable aquaculture Within the framework of INTERREG III B only three projects have touched upon issues related to the fishery sector. None of them can be linked to the Fishery Sector Actions identified within the Baltic 21 framework., also not BalticSeaBreeze, which gained the status of tentative Baltic 21 Lighthouse project It should, however, be noted that the INTERREG III C project “AquaReg” (www.aquareg.com) between Norway, Spain and Ireland has provided a very successful framework for promoting sustainable aquaculture. The goal of the Baltic 21 Lighthouse Project BalticSeaBreeze (2005-2007 / www.balticseabreeze.org) project is to increase awareness of the marine pollution situation in the target sectors of fishing, shipping, and recreational sector. Focus areas are environmental issues in guest harbours and marinas, Blue Flag activities, courses for fishermen and seamen, and a media campaign. The ultimate goal of BalticSeaBreeze is to change the attitudes and behaviour among the target groups to reduce marine pollution. The BSB projects combines 34 partners from all BSR countries. One of the three work packages concerns fishing / shipping. So far a draft “Code of Conduct for seamen” has been produced. In the framework of the BERNET (Baltic Eutrophication Regional NETwork) which was founded in 1999 in order to support the aims of the Helsinki Convention on "assuring the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea environment", the "BERNET CATCH” project explored common tools and strategies for an integrated management at catchment level to be integrated with the regional physical planning. As a result of the project (2003-2004) each of the seven project regions presented first steps towards a Water District Plan pursuant to the Water Framework Directive in the selected Pilot Catchments: 1) A typologization of water bodies used in the partner regions 2) Basic Analysis of the Pilot Catchments in accordance with the Water Framework Directive and 3) a Stakeholder analysis in respect of water management issues. The BALANCE – or in full “Baltic Sea Management – Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Ecosystem through Spatial Planning” project (2005-2007) aims towards development of informed marine management tools for the Baltic Sea, merging fishery management with Nature2000 implementation to the benefit of all (develop Baltic marine zoning plans in 2 pilot areas) and assess the existing Baltic Sea Marine Protected Areas network and develop a “blue corridor” concept. Forests SectorThe forest sector has recently (Winter ‘05) adopted a new Action Programme (2005-2008), which outlines four main areas under which 11 core actions have been identified: Sustainable private forestry Expand forestry extension to strengthen knowledge about environmental, social, cultural and economic values of forest Promote development of forest owners’ association and increase cooperation among them Promote the development of contractors’ and service provides’ associations Multiple use of forests Assess rural development opportunities Integrated biodiversity conservation in forest management Enhance cultural and social values in forests Transparent timber flows in the BSR Match timber balances Develop forests and fiscal policies Support law enforcement Increase use of wood as a renewable and environmentally friendly resource Promote wood engineering & design Increase wood marketing co-operation Whereas possible gaps and new project ideas will be identified on the basis of this new Action Programme, the current assessment of INTERREG projects will be based on the former Action programme, which focused on: Promotion of sustainable forest management and efficiency in private forestry within the BSR Gap analysis on protected forest areas Promotion of the use of wood and wood based products as renewable resources and material Even though only two INTERREG projects are directly linked to the Forest Sector, both are instrumental in supporting the specific actions defined in the Baltic 21 Programme and also reflect the membership structure in this sector. Most notably the Baltic 21 Lighthouse Project Baltic Forest (2006-2007) will lead the path to the promotion of sustainable forest management and efficiency in private forestry throughout the BSR: The project focuses on small-scale state and private forest units and encompasses all forest sector goods, services and stakeholders. Baltic Forest will underline all three action lines of the Baltic 21 forest sector programme by developing activities in forest management and production aspects; forest ecology, environmental aspects, forest social aspects and establishing model forests. But already the project “Advantage Hardwood” (2004-2006) has enhanced the Forest Sector actions by promoting the use of hardwood species through improved forest management, marketing and increased use in buildings as well as implementation of pilot projects.
The project 'Advantage Hardwood' (www.advantagehardwood.org) promoted the use of hardwood species (birch, oak, alder, beech etc.) in forestry environmental aspects (biodiversity, outdoor life). In the framework of the project numerous seminars have been organised on topics like *Sustainable forest management and hardwood resources, *Hardwood marketing and business seminar, *Use of hardwood in architecture and building construction and *Afforestation of agriculture. A small number of demonstration forest areas and forest paths could be created with the help of the project. Industry SectorDevelop economic incentives to improve management of environment in industry, harmonise legislation to industry as regard state aid Implement eco-efficiency in industry Extend and improve co-operation on research and development A multitude of INTERREG projects cover economic development6 and business promotion7 activities and are therefore designed as to support the Lisbon Agenda. At the same time, however, only a very few projects make a connection to environmental aspects in this field. One project “EcoForumBaltica”, initiated and promoted by the Baltic 21 Industry Sector, has, however, supported the sectors’ efforts to implement eco-efficiency in industry especially also throughout the E-BSR by producing, disseminating and promoting the use of EMS Handbooks and Practices in these countries. Most importantly the project has lead the path towards the creation of EMAS (environmental managers) networks. The follow-up project of EcoForumBaltica “RECO” is actually not very closely linked to the Baltic 21 Industry Sector, but is accounted for under this section as (apart from spatial planning) no other Baltic 21 action is covering its themes, even though it is highly relevant to sustainable development in the BSR. The project aims towards the development of efficient Regional Waste Management Institutions (RWMIs) for management of municipal waste in the BSR. Furthermore some other joint / sectoral action projects can be linked to the aims of the Baltic 21 industry sector actions. The Baltic 21 Industry sector project Eco Forum Baltica project (2002-2004) evolved from a predecessor project between Sweden and Russia (financed by Interreg IIC/Sida). Its main objectives were to promote the development and knowledge on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in companies (mainly SMEs) and authorities in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and to integrate Waste management/EMS perspectives in the spatial planning process. In the framework of the project an EMS handbook (in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian) was produced and more than 1000 copies distributed and used by companies, students and authorities etc. Networks of environmental managers have been created in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland for which numerous training workshops and exchange visits have been organised and who are still supported by national websites. The measures to promote trade and co-operation between companies in the environmental area (esp. in Latvia and Lithuania) have not led to the results foreseen. The central objective of project RECO – Regional Cooperation in Waste Management (2005-2008) – is to support the development of efficient Regional Waste Management Institutions (RWMIs) for management of municipal waste in the BSR in order to minimize negative environmental effects, lower life cycle costs for waste management and meet EU and national legislation and targets. This is to be achieved by institution building measures (cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation in waste management and Spatial Planning); capacity building measures (waste management handbooks and other information material, seminars, training, study visits); tools (waste management and spatial planning software WAMPS); fostering public participation and company involvement; updating and development of waste management plans and supporting investments in waste management infrastructure (information on best available technology, funding sources, EU public procurement rules etc.) Tourism SectorEnforce legislation regarding sustainable development and tourism Present environmental management systems in tourism industry As can be seen from the table below a large number of projects supported by INTERREG have focused on the development of tourism throughout the BSR as a whole or specific BSR regions. Most of them are based on the general objective to find a balance between tourism development of the region while at the same time supporting and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the BSR as described within the strategic objectives of the INTERREG programme. Thus sustainable tourism development is a natural part of these projects even if they focus on variety of different tourism themes, tourism destinations and tourism products. At the same time it has to be noted that while some projects emphasise environmental aspects (e.g. RuralDevelopmentConnection, SuPortNet, AnglingTourism), others seem to focus more strongly on tourism as a tool for economic and regional promotion (e.g. BalticWelcomeCentres, BalticCruise, VHD-Zone). It is difficult to judge at what depth those latter projects really follow the ideas inherent to sustainable tourism. In fact – despite the number of tourism projects supported by INTERREG - only the Baltic 21 Lighthouse Project “AGORA” (2005-2007), which was developed by the Baltic 21 tourism sector in conjunction with the agricultural sector, has, however, sustainable tourism development at its focal point. In the framework of AGORA itself an overview will be made on all projects and activities concerning sustainable tourism in the BSR. Among all INTERREGIIIB tourism projects, AGORA is actually the only project, which enhances the specific aim of the Baltic 21 tourism action programme of enforcing legislation regarding sustainable development and tourism by preparing a strategy for the BSR: “Guidelines / Policy recommendations for sustainable tourism development in the BSR”. Furthermore the project is already well ahead in collecting, evaluating, improving and distributing existing tools (instruments, strategies, market surveys, etc.) on sustainable tourism development for all relevant stakeholders throughout the BSR and will also support the implementation of a number of specific pilot projects on sustainable tourism in connection with agriculture, nature, culture and the use of IT. Table 3: Overview on Tourism Related INTERREG Projects
Transport SectorDevelop guidelines, criteria and recommendations for infrastructure investments in a sustainable transport system Establish and strengthen collaboration among governments for more efficient good transportation especially by improving railway and ship connections Develop regional strategies to support sustainable sea transport One of the overriding aims of the INTERREG programme is to explore the feasibility of a common strategy on a multi-modal transport infrastructure. Thus as shown below a multitude of INTERREG projects are therefore directly linked to support various BSR regions in the decision-making process for identifying the most urgent and appropriate infrastructure measures. Given the long-term nature of infrastructure decision-making and realisation processes hardly any visible changes could be achieved in the given time period (one pilot project for establishing a sea/rail breakpoint for goods transportation has been realised in the port of Karlskrona). But all together the various studies, strategies and also tools developed in the framework these INTERREG projects have greatly contributed to fulfil the aims of the Transport Sector Action Programme in that: Complex transport strategies have been developed on a transnational basis between various countries/regions Tools for territorial, environmental and strategic impacts assessments and cross-border projects have been developed (esp. SouthBalticArc, STBR) and are used within the transport infrastructure planning processes Even though road connections are also part of the regional transport strategies, emphasis has been placed on the establishment of intermodal systems for goods transportation (esp. using rail and ship connections) Strategies for developing the inland waterways in the BSR and how to integrate Sea Routes into TEN, TINA and other Pan-European Networks are being developed The Baltic 21 Lighthouse Project “New Hansa” has resulted in a joint policy document - the Baltic Sea Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Ports (MoU) – which aims to reduce environmental emissions from ships DaGoB develops strategies to develop safe and reliable transport chains of dangerous goods throughout the BSR Modern and standardised information technology tools are developed to support efficient transport and logistic systems At the same time it has to be noted that linkages between the various projects seem to be mainly based on individual good will, but are not promoted in a structural manner. Given the nature of the INTERREG programme national and even regional (county) transport authorities are rarely – if at all – involved as project partners. Thus the policy impact of some initiatives remains to be seen. Table 4: Overview on Transport Projects
Table 5: Geographic Scope of Transport Projects Education SectorCapacity building measures (esp. for administrative staff) in form of seminars / workshops / trainings are of course elements of almost all INTERREG projects and therefore also of those, which are described throughout this report which enhance sustainable development in particular. Also public awareness raising measures are often part of these projects. Especially some of the sub-regional programmes (e.g. Baltic Balance as described in 3.1.2) involve a wider audience through hands-on training, public awareness activities and school programmes. Furthermore a number of INTERREG projects support university-based training programmes and/or curricula development8. But with the exception of the Baltic University Urban Forum project (see 3.1.4) none of them deal with sustainable development issues. Also the BSSSC supported PIPE project has had local mobility raising measures at its focus, but was not explicitly targeted towards sustainable development issues. Its successor “innovation circle” project shows very interesting approaches towards stimulating innovations and long term development in rural districts and small towns. Sustainable development is the underlying foundation of the project, but not its main focus. Nevertheless “sustainability, design and innovation” is at least one of the five topics covered by the projects’ innovation academy. Thus the large-scale BSR EAGLE project is actually the only initiative focused entirely on fostering education and general public awareness on sustainable development issues. The project supports the creation, programmes, methods and staff of Nature Centres and Environmental Interpretation throughout the BSR and therefore reaches out to a large number of children and adults. The vision of the BSR EAGLE - Nature Centres and Environmental Interpretation in the Baltic Sea Region – project (2004-2007 / www.bsreagle.net) is to improve the role and contribution of nature centres (NCs, nature schools, museums and exhibitions with EI service for schools and visitors) and environmental interpretation (EI, like education, guiding and activities for children, families and adults, most often outdoors) in fostering sustainable development through improved education and increased public participation in relation to protection of environment, natural, cultural and social values and health of the public. In order to realise this aim a multitude of public and private institutions and NGOs have been brought together all over the BSR countries. The project focuses on the institutional development and capacity building of NCs and EI and achieving a more equal distribution of NCs and EI in BSR though trans-sectoral and trans-national co-operation, a survey on existing EIs and NCs, innovation of methods, and exchange of best practise related to information, education, public participation and decision-making. The PIPE project (2002-2004) has demonstrated a unique inter-sectorial approach to local and regional development. The project has engaged 25 schools with more than 1000 students in 20 communities in 9 regions in 7 countries in local development actions. They have implemented or planned many concrete local actions: learned about entrepreneurship, exchanged and developed business ideas, created youth companies and implemented some inter-regional projects. A number of experts, teachers, officials and decision makers have been involved in the co-operation, and new networks have been created. The successor INNOVATION CIRCLE project (2005-2007) helps to stimulate innovations and long terms development in rural districts and smaller towns in the BSR: The project trains people from different sectors within the municipality/region about how to work together to change their communities into attractive places. The project consists of workshops, youth summer camps, local actions and a forum for exchanging experience. The EXPO 2007 will be the climax of the Innovation Circle project where around 50 projects will be presented. Directory: downloads downloads -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations downloads -> Dynatest 3031 lwd light Weight Deflectometer downloads -> Forth coming competitive exams downloads -> Brush High School Morning Announcements Friday, September 05, 2014 all school downloads -> Year 9 The Arts — Music downloads -> Years 7 and 8 standard elaborations — Australian Curriculum: Music draft downloads -> Chris Young sets 2016 “I’m Comin’ Over” Tour headlining dates downloads -> Slavery and Abolition: the Plymouth Connection Introduction downloads -> Summer Assignment Download 1.14 Mb. Share with your friends:
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