1. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom WELCOME !! KICK OFF MEETING New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction Turku 3 – 5 March 2009 Part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument)

2. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom UBC founded1991 in Gdansk Poland by 32 cities around the Baltic Sea Today 106 member cities focusing balanced democratic, economic, social and environmental development of the Baltic Sea Region

3. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom BSR an active forerunner region, 10 countries around one sea A region with a long and rich history A region with a lot of similarities and differences A region with a common interest and goals but also A region with common challenges and problems New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction

4. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom Geographic and Economic concentration…. Aging population and Migration Energy availability and consumption, Traffic, transport and accessibility problems Climate Change and Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea … all important and demanding for our region striving to be more Efficient and Attractive in the global competition New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction

5. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom Interesting project with a long preparation (since summer 2006) Built on existing development work and needs in respective partner region... Bring in different traditions, administrative solutions and models… Meet and find solutions for challenges in our region… Improve the capacity and attractivity of the Baltic Sea Region and our partner regions New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction Project #019 NEW BRIDGES - Grant contract Dear Lead Partner, Our checks were positive and we have had the pleasure to return to you a signed copy of the final grant contract for the approved project #019 Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction at our Lead Partner seminar in Rostock on 24.02.2009.

6. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom We need to find and build up sustainable Win–Win solutions (1 + 1 can be 3). We need to find solutions where we increase integrated management through cross-sectoral, cross-municipal and interregional new and effective solutions Further more we need to remember that the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy stress the sustainable development of the BSR New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction

7. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom Ladies and Gentlemen, Change and improvement demand dedication!..It demand knowledge and awareness about the current situation,..it demand highly capable and motivated persons with good communication skills..it also demand time to implement the work and it demand commitment and trust in the work we do! During the kick-off here in Turku, we therefore should focus on building up our common spirit and motivation, get to know our new cooperation partner, our new colleagues, briefly see and hear about our current situation in respective partner region and get a picture about what we will do and towards what we are aiming together. New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction

8. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Björn Grönholm / Head of Secretariat / UBC EnvCom The Agenda of the KICK – OFF meeting Starting presentations Content and partner presentations Technical presentations Getting started (WP 3)! Focus on first steps of the project..but also Discussions and consultations Learning to know each other! New Bridges – Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction