Baltic Sea Region Strategy

Background and timeline : the European Council invited the Commission to present an EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region at the latest by June 2009. The Northern Dimension framework provides the basis for the external aspects of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region The Commission services, with DG Regional Policy leading the work, will present the first draft of the Strategy in the last trimester of 2008 Several events to be organised in the Baltic Sea Region in 2008/2009 The Strategy will be presented to the European Council in June 2009 and be one of the main priorities of the Swedish EU Presidency during the second half of 2009.

Four main Strategy objectives to improve the environmental state of the Baltic Sea Region and especially of the Sea; to make the Baltic Sea Region a more prosperous place by supporting balanced economic development across the Region; to make the Baltic Sea Region a more accessible and attractive place for both its inhabitants, for competent labour force and for tourists; to make the Baltic Sea Region a safer and more secure place. NDPHS relevance: accessibility and attractiveness (safety and security)

Process Kaunas, Lithuania, 18-19 September 2008: BSSSC Annual Conference, including a roundtable on the accessibility and attractiveness issues in the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy Stockholm, Sweden, 30 September 2008: Stakeholder conference Gdansk, Poland, 13 November 2008: Roundtable on environmental issues in the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy Copenhagen, Denmark, 1-2 December 2008: Baltic Development Forum Summit, including a roundtable on economic development issues in the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy Helsinki, Finland, 9 December 2008: Roundtable on the safety and security issues in the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy Rostock, Germany, 5-6 February 2008: Stakeholder conference.”

Roundtable: accessibility and attractiveness 16th Annual Conference of the Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Co-operation (BSSSC) in Kaunas, Lithuania, 17 - 19 September 2008 Roundtable: accessibility and attractiveness BSSSC Contribution to the BSR Strategy (Resolution) Transport and infrastructure Maritime Policy Sustainable development Sustainable energy and climate change Public Health and Quality of Life Youth Policy Strengthening tolerance and intercultural dialogue in the Baltic Sea Region NDPHS contribution on quality of life

BSSSC Resolution: NDPHS contribution on quality of life contributing to better awareness about Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS), its activities and funding opportunities through its Project Pipeline by information dissemination; ensuring participation of BSSSC sub-regions in various Expert Groups of the NDPHS; taking further steps in establishing a BSSSC Working Group on Public Health and Social Well-being and contributing to the project implementation within NDPHS by using the capacity of sub-regions in the BSR as well as the future WG on Public Health: supporting BSSSC’s WG on Youth Policy in its healthy lifestyle-rewarding activities.

Own NDPHS input to the BSR Strategy CSR 14 agreed that NDPHS should become involved NDPHS input: For communiqué: 2 pages per EG that will be rephrased and submitted by the CSR Chair The strategy does not offer new funding, so for projects, we have to rely on existing funding schemes. For Action plan: Suggestion for possible projects Can contain references to the thematic reports Can help to get EC funding The strategy does not offer new funding sources Need to rely on existing funding schemes. Deadline for submission of input from the EGs Early December 2008

Database Project: Progress by work package WP 1 – Coordination of the project WP 2 – Dissemination of the results E-newsletter to be continued with EG input WP 3 – Evaluation of the project WP 4 – Database Development 9 databases connected, over 1200 data-entries Insert nw projects WP 5 – Information Provision on Specific Health Areas Assistance to identify new target persons and groups WP 6 – Thematic Reports Follow ups of Recommendations Updates of the reports, wherever feasible WP 7 – Project Pipeline Appraisal of regional projects ( in coop with financing agency) Apply for funding, Identify new financing agencies