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Innovative societies Water-smart societies Climate-neutral societies 

Interreg makes
a difference!

Explore how people in the Baltic Sea region have been benefitting
from our projects.

#MadeWithInterreg solutions for

Cleaner waters

Cleaner waters thanks to viable monitoring system, new methods for removing micropollutants from wastewater and sharing knowledge

What are we doing?

Coordinated actions are the key to cleaning Baltic Sea waters efficiently. Interreg projects that bring people together across sectors and countries stand behind many of them. Not only do they introduce new systemic methods to clean wastewater, but also ensure the spread of knowledge of those methods in the region. Trust in project recommendations directly translates into new policies and investments. In a long run, cooperation in projects exceeds original partnerships and builds grounds for new initiatives and actions to respond to arising challenges.

Examples of #MadeWithInterreg solutions:
  • a platform collecting best practices in smart water operations
  • a risk assessment system to monitor concentrations of micropollutants
  • novel methods to clean wastewater from micropollutants, e.g. pharmaceuticals
  • new technologies to reduce phosphorus losses
  • enhanced water treatment to improve water quality in lakes

 

What we’ve achieved so far? 

The Baltic Sea is one of the most heavily eutrophicated seas in the world. Interreg projects helped improve wastewater treatment, which is one of the factors influencing eutrophication. At the beginning of the 2000s, more than 20 cities collected best practices in water management and shared them with other city administrations around the Baltic Sea region. In 2009-2013, projects showcased that it was possible to reduce discharges of nutrients from wastewater treatment facilities to the level set in the Baltic Sea Action Plan of HELCOM. The HELCOM Action Plan targets were stricter than the EU requirement.

In 2016-2021, projects in cities and villages focused on improving the treatment of wastewater from residents and industries. Partners in projects tested new technologies that increased nutrient removal and reduced energy consumption in cities such as Daugavpils, Gdańsk, Tartu, Jūrmala, Kaunas, and Grevesmühlen. Rural municipalities benefitted from solutions like septic tanks and soil infiltration in Kolgaküla, Gennarby, Ainaži, and Leitgiriai. In other projects, partners tested the pre-treatment of wastewater at poultry, meat, and dairy factories in Leszno, Doruchów, Põltsamaa, and Jelgava. Following this joint work, the partners synthesised more than a hundred examples of smart water operations. Using this knowledge, they helped develop the new Baltic Sea Regional Nutrient Recycling Strategy of HELCOM, and revise the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. These two strategic documents help achieve a healthy state of the Baltic Sea.

 

Ongoing projects

The ongoing projects explore new methods to clean wastewater more efficiently and better monitor concentrations of harmful substances and micropollutants in water environments. They address various stages of water management, starting from pollution prevention at its source, extending to robust monitoring and risk assessment practices, and culminating in the adoption of advanced wastewater treatment technologies. The projects aim to influence policy-making processes and implement practical measures for long-term improvements.

 

Supporting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 

Our projects play a vital role in achieving the ambitious goals of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to save the Baltic Sea. In collaboration with the coordinators of the EUSBSR policy areas Nutri, Bioeconomy, Hazards, and Tourism, our projects make water and wastewater management more efficient and less resource-intensive in cities, rural areas, and tourist destinations. Together, our projects and the EUSBSR coordinators drive changes in water-related policies in our region, ensuring that the outcomes of our projects are integrated into legislation and continue to contribute to clearer, cleaner waters in the region.

 

Explore project solutions in more detail:

EMPEREST

Eliminating Micro-Pollutants from Effluents for REuse STrategies
The project EMPEREST tests advanced treatment technology that helps water utilities and companies better remove organic micropollutants such as PFAS or pharmaceuticals from wastewater.
Read more about the project

APRIORA

Improved risk assessment for strategic water management to reduce micro-pollutant emissions in the Baltic Sea Region
In the project APRIORA, environmental protection agencies and wastewater treatment plants get equipped with a GIS-based risk assessment system to monitor and model concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in order to improve water management and reduce emissions.
Read more about the project

BEACON

Application of biological effects methods in monitoring and assessment of contaminants in the Baltic Sea
In the project BEACON, public authorities and governmental organisations develop harmonised methods to assess contamination in the Baltic Sea waters, sediment and biota.
Read more about the project

AdvIQwater

Improving quality of BSR waters by advanced treatment processes
The project AdvIQwater tests photocatalysis, fungal treatment and biofilms methods to efficiently clean wastewaters from pharmaceuticals.
Read more about the project

NonHazCity 3

Reducing hazardous substances in construction to safeguard the aquatic environment, protect human health and achieve more sustainable buildings
The project NonHazCity 3 helps municipalities, entrepreneurs and individuals construct and renovate buildings with tox-free materials in order to protect health and the environment.
Read more about the project

TRUST ALUM

Building trust in target groups for ALUM treatment - an effective, yet misunderstood method for water quality improvement
The project TRUST ALUM helps public authorities in the Baltic countries make better use of ALUM water treatment and improve water quality in lakes.
Read more about the project

MUNIMAP

Baltic Sea Munitions Remediation Roadmap
The project MUNIMAP develops a legal and administrative framework for public authorities to initiate joint remediation of dumped munitions from the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak, which pose threats to the marine ecosystem and hinder the maritime economy.
Read more about the project

FanpLESStic-sea

FanpLESStic-sea – Initiatiatives to remove microplastics before they enter the sea
The project FanpLESStic-sea developed new tools to stop microplastics from entering the sea.
Read more about the project

WAMBAF

Water Management in Baltic Forests
The project WAMBAF provided tools for authorities and planners, forest enterprises, hunters and forest owners to better manage drainage systems, riparian forests and beaver activity in forests, and in doing so to keep clean waters flowing from forests to the Baltic Sea.
Read more about the project

H2Deri@BSP

H2-Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts
The project H2Deri@BSP helps port authorities, terminal operators and energy providers integrate green hydrogen derivatives fuels, such as methanol and ammonia, into port operations to reduce CO2 emissions and turn seaports into green energy hubs.
Read more about the project

COMBINE

Strengthening Combined Transport in the Baltic Sea Region
COMBINE contributed to a shift to a more sustainable and efficient combined transport in the Baltic Sea region.
Read more about the project

ChemClimCircle

Integrating criteria for chemicals, climate and circularity in procurement processes
The project ChemClimCircle equips municipalities with training modules to apply circular procurement and, by this, to use non-toxic and climate-neutral products.
Read more about the project

DAIMON 2

Decision Aid for Marine Munitions - Practical Application
The project DAIMON2 optimised the tools that allow maritime and environmental authorities to more accurately and less costly make decisions on the management of the dumped munitions.
Read more about the project

TRAC 4 SERIAL

TRAnsnational Cooperation for Serial Energy Refurbishment in BSR
The current pace of refurbishment of buildings is not enough to reach the EU goals of a climate neutral building stock by 2050. TRAC4SERIAL initiates the energy efficient refurbishment of multi-family residential buildings using prefabricated retrofits. This is not only more energy efficient but can also save time and costs. Costs can be reduced only by applying large quantities. Therefore, the TRAC4SERIAL aims to involve the necessary stakeholders to accelerate the process of serial refurbishment.
Read more about the project

EnviSuM

Environmental Impact of Low Emission Shipping: Measurements and Modelling Strategies
The Interreg project EnviSuM provided policy makers and ship owners with sound evidence that strict, global environmental regulations of shipping can benefit human health and the environment without threatening business – the Baltic Sea served as the globally unique test case.
Read more about the project

BATS

Baltic Sea region Active mobiliTy Solutions - in darkness and all weather conditions
The project BATS helps local authorities plan and set up suitable infrastructure for year-round walking and cycling, and build an active mobility culture among people, as a green and healthy transport option regardless of the season.
Read more about the project

IWAMA

Interactive WAter MAnagement
The Interreg project IWAMA equipped waste water managers with new audit tools and a durable platform for life-long learning and exchange so that they can better protect our environment, in particular by optimising the energy use and sludge management of waste water treatment plants.
Read more about the project

Baltic Sea2Land

Fostering integrated governance for the joint sustainable use of human and natural capital in the near shore zone
The project Baltic Sea2Land equips public authorities with the navigator tool that helps harmonise land and marine planning and balance initiatives that impact coastal development.
Read more about the project

ReNutriWater

Closing local water circuits by recirculating nutrients and water and using them in nature
The ReNutriWater helps public authorities develop action plans to recover wastewater, and reuse it for cleaning, watering recreational areas and plants as well as domestic purposes.
Read more about the project

GREEN CRUISE PORT

GREEN CRUISE PORT - Sustainable Development of Cruise Port Locations
In the Interreg project Green Cruise Ports, eight major cruise ports at the Baltic Sea lifted sustainability up on their agenda and committed themselves to decoupling growth from negative environmental impact of port and vessel operations; they jointly established an action plan for more sustainable investments over the next ten years.
Read more about the project

R-Mode Baltic 2

Ranging Mode Baltic Sea test bed evaluation
R-Mode Baltic 2 improved the earlier introduced alternative to satellite navigation systems and helped shippers navigate safer in the Baltic Sea.
Read more about the project

ECOLABNET

Network of Service Providers for Eco-innovations in Manufacturing SMEs
The project ECOLABNET helped manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in bio-based materials, 3D printing, and other business areas to develop eco-innovations.
Read more about the project

Baltic DigiTour

Baltic DigiTour
For the dynamic knowledge area of digitalization in touristic attractions, the project is directed to setting up a new way of continuous online learning based on connectivist massive open online courses. Focusing the collaboration of learners, such connectivist massive open online courses potentially allow to tackle the fast changing learning content in a knowledge community. Towards a main project we now analyze existing connectivist massive open online course models, IT platforms as well as needs of content matter experts and potential participants.
Read more about the project

InnoCAPE

Industry 4: transforming innovation ecosystem through better capacity of public enablers
The project InnoCAPE helped SMEs be more competitive, digitalised and better connected to the digital innovation ecosystem.
Read more about the project

BSR Go-abroad

BSR Go-abroad - building market and supply chain opportunities for micro SMEs within the Baltic Sea Region
The project BSR Go-abroad develops a blueprint for micro SMEs to help them expand business offers and enter new markets across the Baltic Sea region in order to keep their businesses thriving regardless of any disruptions to come.
Read more about the project

BSR Access

Access to clean, efficient and multimodal transport corridors in the Baltic Sea Region
The platform BSR Access connected traditional infrastructure nodes and smart transport solutions to further develop the TEN-T Core Network Corridors, and contribute to sustainable growth in the region.
Read more about the project

MentalHealthMatters

Mental Health Matters – Making Enterprises in the BSR more Resilient by Tackling Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace
The project MentalHealthMatters connects public health experts and employers to prevent psychosocial risks at the workplace and thus improve the well-being of employees.
Read more about the project

PestSpace

Improving resilience to the spread of plant diseases via a regional Pest Common Data Space
The project PestSpace helps farmers, authorities, and researchers quickly detect and respond to emerging plant pests using AI and environmental DNA, protecting crops and ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region.
Read more about the project

EmPaci

Empowering Participatory Budgeting in the Baltic Sea Region
EmPaci allowed citizens to take part in the public budget planning and bring the most needed projects to reality.
Read more about the project

GrePPP

Green Public Procurement of Pharmaceuticals for the Baltic Sea Region
Pharmaceutical emissions to the environment are a major concern in the Baltic Sea region and beyond. GrePPP works towards a sustainable public procurement of pharmaceuticals to protect the aquatic environment in areas where pharmaceuticals are produced. The aim of the project is to develop and test criteria and tools for sustainable public procurement applicable to the aquatic environment. This shall incentivise more sustainable production methods, and, consequently, reduce harmful emissions.
Read more about the project

WaterMan Seed

Climate resilient wastewater and groundwater management by circular approaches that reduce outflows of nutrients and hazardous substances
WaterMan develops and promotes circular approaches to reducing outflows of nutrients and hazardous substances to surface water, groundwater and the Baltic Sea. Its centre of attention is measures and techniques to re-use water from wastewater treatment plants and the retention of water before flowing to the sea. The project focuses on measures at the local level and on areas in the Baltic Sea region, where the water supply may be affected by climate change. It explicitly addresses this by developing circular approaches for municipalities & water companies.
Read more about the project

cities.multimodal

Cities.multimodal – urban transport system in transition towards low carbon mobility
The Interreg project cities.multimodal presented environmentally friendly alternatives to driving, enhanced sustainable urban mobility planning for multimodal transport in ten cities and introduced six mobility points and smartphone-based travel planning.
Read more about the project

BEACH-SOS

Climate Smart Baltic Beaches and Tourism
The BEACH-SOS project helps authorities, businesses, and local communities adapt to the changing climate to ensure thriving and sustainable beach recreation and tourism in the future.
Read more about the project

NonHazCity

Innovative management solutions for minimizing emissions of hazardous substances from urban areas in the Baltic Sea Region
The Interreg project NonHazCity enabled nine municipalities around the Baltic Sea to develop their chemical action plans for hazardous substances entering the Baltic Sea, and trained dozens of small businesses and households to reduce their emissions.
Read more about the project

Care@Home

Outpatient care and integrated day care provided by housing companies - affordable arrangements and solutions in home care services for elderly people
The ageing population is a major social, economic and cultural challenge in every civil society. As many elderly would like to continue to live independently and self-determined in their current environment, an increasing number of older people need to receive care services at home. The Care@Home project aims to provide a solution for this challenge by showing how a cooperation between professional care service providers and housing companies will lead to mutual benefits of all parties involved.
Read more about the project

ENERPO

Energy production improvement based on dynamic mobile positioning data
Unused energy is still a major reason for the insufficient use of energy and thus waste of energy and resources. A more precise prediction of energy consumption would help to increase the efficient use of energy. ENERPO aims to elaborate tools and strategies to improve the prediction of energy consumption in three Baltic States. This could help to better match energy production and demand.
Read more about the project

MARA

Mobility and Accessibility in Rural Areas - New approaches for developing mobility concepts in remote areas
The project MARA improved accessibility and mobility for residents and tourists in remote touristic areas of the Baltic Sea region.
Read more about the project

Green Small Craft

Green Cruising for High-speed Small Craft in The Baltic Sea
An increasing number of high-speed crafts (or fast ferries) in the Baltic Sea leads to the critical sea and coastal area pollution. The project contributes to pollution reduction and emission mitigation of small craft operation in the Baltic Sea, emphasizing on high-speed. Moreover, noise emission from these boats will be addressed. We plan to solve the problem by considering three different solutions related to hydrodynamic design, propulsion systems, as well as to digitalisation and control.
Read more about the project

SUMPs for BSR

Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning for climate resilient BSR cities
The transition of cities from a focus on cars to "mobility for people" is at the core of sustainable urban mobility plans. Such plans are currently being implemented in Europe and world-wide to facilitate a paradigm shift from transport to mobility planning. It requires a harmonized approach to strategic urban planning: climate, energy, urban development and mobility plans need to be in line, striving towards the same vision. To make this concept accessible, especially for small and mid-sized cities in the Baltic Sea region and to support them on the way to implementation - this is the challenge the seed money project addresses.
Read more about the project

BalticBiomass4Value

Unlocking the Potential of Bio-based Value Chains in the Baltic Sea Region
The project introduced new knowledge to sustainably use biomass as a reliable source of energy.
Read more about the project

Solutions stay with the people: listen to our #InterregVoices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© UBC SCC/Mariia Andreeva

Thanks to Interreg (...), we created momentum for essential aspects of sustainable water management connected to climate change, for example improving the wastewater and storm water management, reducing water pollution, and increasing the application of circular economy principles. [IWAMA; BSR Water]

 

 

 

Agnieszka Ilola 

Head of Secretariat, Union of the Baltic Cities, Sustainable Cities Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky

I can name a large number of examples of project outputs directly integrated into the regional policy framework. The first one is the recommendation on sludge handling. It was largely based on the PURE project. What’s more, the technologies tested in the project PURE to treat wastewater are in regular use now.

 

 

 

Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky

 Special Advisor to HELCOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© City of Turku

Thanks to Interreg projects, we have improved our public services for our citizens. Our water treatment facility has been involved in benchmarking water management processes and our water management processes have continuously been improving. Now, we have even better water quality and managed to keep the price of our water services at a moderate level.

Minna Arve

Mayor of Turku, Finland

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