20 April 2023

The best ideas selected!

Written by Viktoria Nilsson
The Monitoring Committee selected 13 best ideas for funding and paved the way for new partnerships towards a green and more resilient Baltic Sea region.
3rd Monitoring Committee meeting

On 19-20 April in Malmö, the Monitoring Committee met for the third time in the new Programme. The host of the meeting Annika Annerby Jansson, President of the Regional Council of Region Skåne welcomed the participants. Carl-Johan Klint from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure chaired the meeting in light of the ongoing Swedish chairmanship.

 

Selection of small projects

The main highlight of the meeting was the selection of small projects in the second call. Out of 41 applications, the Monitoring Committee selected 13 small projects for funding. With the funding of almost 5 mln EUR from the European Regional Development Fund and 0.07 mln EUR from Norwegian funds, the small projects will drive transition to a green and resilient region. The selected projects target the three thematic priorities of the Programme and will trigger cooperation in a variety of topics.

 

In Priority 1, Innovative societies, six projects were selected for funding: three in objective 1.1. Resilient economies and communities and three in objective 1.2 Responsive public services. The projects will help minimise psychosocial risks in a workplace, accelerate deep tech innovation, and support seed banks. In the area of responsive public services, the projects will promote digital literacy, the benefits of using advanced digital technologies to deliver public services, and digital healthcare counselling for children and families.

In Priority 2, Water-smart societies, the Monitoring Committee selected two projects for funding: one project in objective 2.1 Sustainable waters and one project in objective 2.2. Blue economy. The projects will make lakes cleaner by applying the alum treatment method and improve beach and coastal management.

 

In Priority 3, Climate-neutral societies, the Monitoring Committee selected five projects for funding: two projects in objective 3.1 Circular economy, one in objective 3.2 Energy transition, and two projects in 3.3 Smart green mobility. The projects will support circular food systems, provide stronger incentives to reduce energy consumption, advance cycling infrastructure, and revitalise inner-urban freight rail hubs.

Review of the Programme 2014-2020 and future outlook

At the meeting, two projects from the Programme 2014-2020 FanpLESStic-sea and Circular PP shared their experiences and conveyed testimonials.  Both projects contributed to gearing up the green transition of our region. The FanpLESStic-sea helped prevent microplastics from entering the Baltic sea, while the Circular PP project provided public authorities with stronger incentives to implement circular procurement.

Among other topics on agenda, the members of the Monitoring Committee reflected on the received applications for core projects, discussed the plans for the third call, financial matters, approved the proposed evaluation plan of the Programme and received updates on communication activities.

 

Celebrating 25 years

At the meeting, we had the pleasure to continue celebrations of the 25 years´ anniversary of the Programme: nice memories, heartwarming wishes and a celebrative atmosphere. Celebrate with us! Check here what the members of the Monitoring Committee and external stakeholders are sharing on their long-standing cooperation with the Programme, best memories and wishes for the future.

Images from the meeting

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