Central Baltic Programme

🌍 Introducing Project VINCE! 🌍 Did you know that language barriers are a major hurdle for migrants in Finland and Sweden? 🗣️ Language skills often determine access to services, education, and employment. By breaking down these barriers, Project VINCE helps migrants integrate faster. 🌟What is Project VINCE doing to help? The main objective of Project VINCE is to develop and improve public integration services for migrants. A joint virtual platform will be created, integrating various virtual integration services. For example: 👅AI Translations: Supporting over 50 languages with real-time speech-to-text and text-to-speech translations. ℹ️Information Hub: Centralising vital information from various sources for easy access. 💻Virtual Rooms: Creating 3D environments for social interaction and service access, fostering community-building. 🌟What’s very good about this development is that migrants are involved in creating content for the platform, ensuring that the services are tailored to their needs. Project VINCE is not just about technology, it’s about creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all. 🌟 🌟VINCE project is recognised as an Operation of Strategic Importance. VINCE is led by Turku University of Applied Sciences and implemented in cooperation with County Administrative Board of Östergötland, Region Östergötland, Refugee Health Centre, Sateenkaari Koto ry in Finland, and Turun kaupunki - Åbo stad - City of Turku. #VINCE #Interreg #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy #centralbaltic EU Funds

🌾 Introducing the Sustainable Silage Project! 🌾 Did you know that silage effluents and nutrient leakages can have a significant impact on our environment? Silage, which is fermented, high-moisture stored fodder used to feed livestock, can produce effluents that contaminate water bodies. The Sustainable Silage project is here to address these issues and promote greener farming practices. 🌍 ⭐Why is this important? 💚Silage effluents and nutrient leakages can contaminate water bodies, affecting both the environment and public health. 💚Innovative agri-environmental methods are essential for sustainable farming and reducing environmental risks. ⭐What is Sustainable Silage doing to help? 💚Implementing pilot actions on approximately 25 farms, with around 20 expected to show real results in reducing nutrient runoffs. 💚Achieving a common understanding among public sector stakeholders on environmental issues related to silage production. 💚Providing about 200 farmers with new knowledge and information to mitigate environmental risks from silage effluent leakage into water bodies. Sustainable Silage is not just about improving farming practices but also about fostering a community dedicated to protecting our environment for future generations. 🌱💚 ⭐Sustainable Silage project is recognised as an Operation of Strategic Importance. Sustainable Silage is led by The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce and implemented in cooperation with NGO "Farmers Parliament" in Latvia Zemnieku saeima, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus, METK - Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge / Maaelu Teadmuskeskus, and ProAgria Western Finland. #SustainableSilage #Interreg #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy #centralbaltic #OSI EU Funds

🌊 Introducing the Re:Fish Project! 🌊 Did you know that garbage from fishing can linger in our environment for decades? The oldest fishing gear found in the sea dates back to 1983! 🐟 Lost fishing nets and gear cause immense harm to our environment, affecting fish, birds, marine mammals, and even our waterways’ recreational users. ⭐Why is this important? 🐟Lost fishing gear is everywhere: seas, lakes, and streams. 🐟Gillnets cause unnecessary suffering to wildlife and contribute to plastic and hazardous substance pollution. 🐟Abandoned nets fragment into microplastics, spreading further environmental damage. ⭐What is Re:Fish doing to help? ✅Conducting retrieval operations and clean-ups. ✅Collecting end-of-life gear and using citizen science to gather knowledge. ✅Testing deposit systems and raising awareness about the issue. ✅Activating key players like recreational fishers, producers, NGOs, universities, and authorities to implement preventive actions and better monitoring. Re:Fish is not just cleaning up the central Baltic Sea but also fostering a community dedicated to protecting our waters for future generations. 🌍💙 Re:Fish project is a joint cooperation between Sweden, Finland and Estonia. Re:Fish is led by Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation (Håll Sverige Rent) and implemented in cooperation with Keep the Archipelago Tidy (Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry), Finnish Environmental Institute (Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) - Suomen ympäristökeskus (Syke)) and Tartu Ülikool (University of Tartu). ⭐Re:Fish project is recognised as an Operation of Strategic Importance. #ReFish #Interreg #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy #centralbaltic #Interreg EU Funds

As we wrap up the week, let’s dive into some insightful Friday reading. 🌟 Today's topic: Leading self-employment in rural areas 🌟 We’re excited to share the progress of the Enhanced ERA project, which is supporting people aged 50+ and youth in rural areas to start their own businesses. Next year, participants from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Åland, and Sweden will join a three-day event with networking, study trips, and seminars. In the spring, the first group will graduate with new business plans ready to launch! 🚀 Read the full article to learn more. 📖 The story is written by Jenny Jonstoij, the national Contact Point for Åland. Project is a cross-cooperation between Estonia, Finland, Åland, Latvia and Sweden. It is led by Estonian University of Life Sciences, and implemented in cooperation with Företagsam Skärgard in Åland, Gauja National Park Tourism Cluster Enter Gauja in Latvia, Ruralia Institute - University of Helsinki in Finland, Leader Sepra ry in Finland, Visit Soomaa in Estonia, NGO Ökokuller in Estonia, and Söderhamns kommun in Sweden. #EnhancedERA #Entrepreneurship #RuralDevelopment #Interreg #centralbaltic

🌿 Introducing BalticReed: A Star Project for a Healthier Baltic Sea! 🌊 Did you know that reed, a common sight along the shores of the Baltic Sea and lakes, holds incredible potential? The BalticReed project is harnessing this potential to make a real difference! Why is BalticReed special? ⭐By harvesting reeds, we can remove harmful nutrients like phosphorus from the water, combating eutrophication and helping to restore the health of the Baltic Sea. ⭐ Reeds can be transformed into a variety of products, from growing media to building materials. This not only recycles nutrients but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports local businesses. Impact: ⭐ BalticReed is operating in 12 coastal areas across mainland Finland, Åland, and Sweden. ⭐ Organising training and workshops for companies interested in reed harvesting and utilisation. BalticReed is led by John Nurmisen Säätiö in Finland and implemented in cooperation with Länsstyrelsen Östergötland in Sweden, Race For The Baltic in Sweden, ELY-keskus - Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Finland, Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Ålands Landskapsregering in Finland. We will keep a sharp eye on their exciting journey to protect our waters and promote sustainable practices and share their accomplishments with you in the future! 🌍💚 BalticReed project is recognised as an Operation of Strategic Importance. #BalticReed #Interreg #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy #centralbaltic EU Funds

🇫🇮 Happy Independence Day, Finland! 🇫🇮 A land where the northern lights dance across the sky, and the forests and lakes whisper tales of peace and freedom. This is the happiest country in the world. On this special day, we celebrate the freedom to dream big and live in a free and open society. Whether sharing stories with loved ones or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the land, today is a day to cherish freedom and celebrate the happiness it brings. Happy Independence Day, Finland! May your hearts always be filled with joy and freedom. 💙🤍 #FinlandIndependenceDay

🎄 Christmas Special: Discover Our Star Projects! 🎄 Let’s shine a light on some amazing projects that are making a big difference! 🌟 Introducing Operations of Strategic Importance (OSIs) – special projects that make our lives better. ✨At the Central Baltic Programme, we’ve chosen 4 fantastic projects as OSIs: BalticReed, Re:Fish, Sustainable Silage, and VINCE. These projects are a joint effort between Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden - they are changing lives and improving our environment. 🌍💙 ✨Why are they so important? 🇪🇺 They highlight the most impactful projects funded by the EU. 🇪🇺 They show how the EU’s Cohesion policy benefits everyone. 🇪🇺 They bring the achievements of these projects closer to you! 🌟Want to know more? Stay tuned for our upcoming posts where we’ll dive deeper into each project and share the amazing work they’re doing! 🌟 BalticReed led by John Nurmisen Säätiö Re:fish led by Håll Sverige Rent, Sustainable Silage -hanke led by Eesti Põllumajandus Kaubanduskoda VINCE led by Turku University of Applied Sciences #CentralBaltic #Interreg #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy

🎁 This December, we’re present-ing some special stories from our past, present, and future! 🎁 Just like unwrapping presents, each story reveals a new layer of inspiration. Curious to learn more about John’s inspiring journey? Read more on our website at: https://lnkd.in/dx5YeTfE #Interreg #centralbaltic #stories #presents

🌟 Join our team! We’re on the hunt for new colleagues to join the expanding Joint Secretariat of the Programme. If you’re all about cross-border cooperation and creating positive change, we'd love to have you with us. Open positions: 🦸Project Manager (Circular Economy) ♻️ 🦸♂️Project Manager (Capitalisation of Project Results) 🚀 Note: The icons are just for fun and not gender-specific, but having superpowers would definitely be a plus! 🦸♀️🦸♂️ If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to our mission, apply now! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJbDi8ic #Interreg #EUfunded #centralbaltic #recruitment #hiring #crossborder #cooperation

Are you interested in cross-border projects and looking for funding? Great news! The next funding opportunity through the Central Baltic Programme is on its way. The Fifth Call for Project Proposals opens in 2025, offering support to both regular and small projects that bring together partners across countries. Check out the concept and start preparing! #Interreg #centralbaltic #EUfunded #CohesionPolicy