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Our committment to sustainable development is about ensuring prosperous economies, healthy societies and dynamic ecosystems in a balanced and integrated manner. Challenges to achieving sustainability are present in the Baltic Sea Region, as they are throughout the world today. To overcome such challenges, all levels of society must share responsibility and participate in finding joint solutions. Our network has unique experience in fostering cooperation that works and invites you to begin a dialogue with us on how we can act together to create a sustainable Baltic Sea Region.
Our background
Initiated by the Prime Ministers of the Baltic Sea countries in 1996, Baltic 21 is a regional expression of the global Agenda 21 adopted by the United Nations "Earth Summit." As of January 2010 Baltic 21 has been integrated into the structure of the CBSS as an Expert Group on Sustainable Development.
Our members
As a multinational team, our members are various government ministries and agencies from the 11 Baltic Sea states, the European Commission, numerous intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, academic and financial institutions, as well as local, city and sector networks.
Our mission
Our mission is to contribute actively towards advancing sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region by coordinating goals and activities, and by serving as a forum for cooperation across borders and between stakeholder groups. We provide a platform for governments, organisations, communities and people to seek out new partnerships and strengthen those already in existence. By acting as a bridge between stakeholders, we aim to help them make progress towards transforming our part of the world into sustainable region.
Areas of cooperation
Baltic 21 strategic areas of cooperation are stipulated in the mandate. They are:
- Climate change
- Sustainable urban and rural development
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Innovation and education for sustainable development
In each area Baltic 21 is committed to implement at least 3 actions described in the newly adopted Strategy on Sustainable Development 2010-2015 "Action for Sustainable Development around the Baltic Sea". Please see the full Mandate and the Strategy on the right hand menu.
Lighthouse Projects
Lighthouse Projects are our tools for demonstrating sustainable development in practice.
Lighthouse Project Quality Label is being awarded by the Expert Group. Lighthouse Projects conform with a set of criteria specifically focused on value-added contribution to the regional sustainability and high visibility.
Currently, we have 6 ongoing Lighthouse Projects dealing with issues such as bio-energy promotion, integrated urban-rural development, sustainable production through innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises, sustainable tourism, education for sustainable development and creating Eco-regions.
Expert Group meetings
The Expert Group meets at least twice a year. the first meeting of the Expert Group took place on 13-14 April 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Autumn meetings are usually held back to back with the Lighthouse Project event.
Become involved
Along our path ahead, we want to work together with a growing number of partners to set the highest standards for regional development. Our network is open to stakeholders who are active throughout the Region, have competence in a field that is relevant to sustainable development, and would like to contribute to overall mission of Baltic 21.
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