MOMENT project is coming to an end. Evaluation of WUPs (Water Users Partnerships) by Ramböll, as well as the Summary of the project conference and 4th ERB Water Forum, both held in Kalmar on 27 and 28 November 2012, and  of the project. Enjoy the read!

The regional authorities of the Swedish regions of Blekinge, Kalmar, Skåne and Southern Småland have established a non-profit organisation tasked with preparing a common ground for the creation of a joint region of Southern Sweden.

The European Commission proposed a draft directive to improve the planning of maritime activities at sea and the management of coastal areas. The document aims to establish a common European framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management in EU Member States to ensure long-term sustainability of maritime and coastal activities and resources.

At its meeting in Gdańsk ERB Executive Board adopted ERB action plan for 2013 and 2014. The main objective for joint activities of Euroregion Baltic, will be to contribute to the implementation of the ERB 2020 Agenda, and thus to make ERB an effective political tool, as well as making ERB efficient in dealing with common challenges. Therefore, content of this action plan is a clear continuation of actions specified in action plan adopted last year.

Euroregion Baltic organised a seminar on labour market in South-East Baltic Sea Region on 25th February. A meeting, that took place in Gdansk, gathered politicians – members of ERB Executive Board and experts – members of the Labour Market Task Force.

Participants of the seminar have adopted a resolution which indicates main actions for ERB. These are: an improvement of the labour force mobility and combat against youth unemployment.

Denmark took over Presidency in Euroregion Baltic from Sweden. A ceremony took place in Gdańsk during offcial dinner on 25 February. Mr Roland Gustbée, Chair of the Board of Regional Council in södra Småland, who has been a President of Euroregion Baltic since February 2012, handed over leadership to Mr Per Ole Petersen, Member of the Council of Regional Municipality of Bornholm. This will be a second term of Mr Petersen as President of ERB. Mr Vytautas Grubliauskas, Head of Association of Klaipeda Municipalities will be a Vice-president in 2013.
ERB Annual Report for 2012, with activities implemented during Mr Gustbée’s Presidency, is available here.

 

Ms Karolina Hołówka from Poland will be a volunteer assisting ERB Youth Board within EVS youth exchange project (European Voluntary Service). Starting in March, she will live in Kalmar for one year in Kumulus organisation. Project submitted together by Kumulus (hosting organisation) and Euroregion Baltic was approved in December last year. Sending organisation will be Elbląg Europa Association from Poland, which replaced Europe Direct Bornholm in that role.
Tasks of the volunteer will be: coordination of activities of ERB Youth Board and technical assistance for its members.

Pan-European Institute follows the economic development of the Baltic States, Poland, St. Petersburg, Leningrad region and Kaliningrad region. The results are published quarterly in the Baltic Rim Economies (BRE) and the institute's website. The review has become an important media for leading policymakers and representatives of business life as well as others interested in the development of the Baltic Sea region. Previous writers include ministers, commissioners and  representatives of business and academia. The latest issue of the quarterly contains an article on Euroregion Baltic on page 56.