Navigating the Future of the Baltic Sea Region – Reflections from the EU Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference

In the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, the Interreg family gathered on 20 – 22 May to explore the true magic of Interreg transnational cooperation: the what, the why, and the how.

The lead partner organistion Port of Hamburg Marketing  represented the Blue Supply Chains-, Circular Ports and H2Deri@BSP project during a truly insightful exchange on simplification in the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme context!

The workshop was organised 20 May prior and back-to-back to the Programme Conference 2025 by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme. Together with dedicated practitioners from across the Baltic Sea Region, it was explored how to reduce administrative burden and make project implementation easier.

A key focus was on the use of Simplified Cost Options (SCOs) – a promising approach that not only streamlines budget planning but also eases reporting efforts. The open discussions, practical insights, and collaborative spirit clearly showed how valuable shared experience and transparent dialogue are for the future development of the programme.

The experience gained from many project implementations and ongoing projects provided insights to build on. Thus, experiences contributed to shaping an even more effective and future Programme.

On 21 May we stepped into the “magic world of Interreg” during the main Programme conference day – a truly inspiring gathering of minds, projects, and visions.

The sessions highlighted how transnational cooperation fuels innovation, connects regions, and delivers tangible benefits for Baltic Sea regions. A central point of discussion was the Post-27 Harvesting Report by the European Commission, which emphasizes that “the future of Interreg Baltic Sea Region should be ahead of reforms & focus on supporting the region’s transition towards greater resilience, security, and a climate-neutral future.”

As we shape the next generation of Interreg, it’s critical that transport is recognized as a key enabler of this transition. Future Interreg programmes should support setting the right frameworks to erase challenges in:

• (Cyber) Security for (maritime) transport infrastructure – safeguarding digital resilience in operations and shipping.
• Green Shipping Corridors – accelerating the decarbonization of transport by upscaling sustainable fuel deployment and coordinated logistics.
• Ports as Green Energy Hubs – enabling ports to become central nodes for renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution.

These priorities are not isolated—they sit at the intersection of key policy areas of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, requiring cross-sectoral cooperation of Policy Area Energy, Policy Area Ship and Policy Area Security.

Sure, Interreg programmes are not infrastructure funding programmes. Rather, their true strength lies in fostering cross-border exchange, building transnational partnerships, and cultivating trust.

However, Interreg provides the strategic groundwork and collaborative frameworks that enable future infrastructure & policy innovations. It facilitates the transfer of knowledge, innovation, and best practices across regions. Moreover, it connects people across borders, enabling exchange, cooperation, and joint learning. Interreg’s unique power lies in its ability to transcend borders, foster a shared sense of purpose, and help us get to know and value one another. Thus, also supporting core European values such as: “Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among EU Member States and people.”

This is precisely what we need most today!

Let’s ensure that the future of Interreg is not only magical – but strategically aligned with the evolving needs of our region and its people!

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