The development in the Baltic Sea Region is far from sustainable. Excessive use of land, growing demand for energy and pollution are just a few of today's challenges. Nevertheless, good practices on how to achieve sustainable development exist and by building on these the Baltic Sea Region has the potential of becoming the world's first EcoRegion.

The Baltic 21 multi-stakeholder network has a strong track record in fostering sustainable solutions in the Baltic Sea Region. Initiated by the Prime Ministers of the Baltic Sea countries in 1996, it is a regional expression of the global Agenda 21 adopted by the United Nations Earth Summit. Baltic 21 brings together people who are active in a variety of different to carry out joint actions and cross-sectoral activities.

In addition, local governments throughout the EU have started in 2004 to reinforce their Local Agenda 21 processes. Authorities who sign the Aalborg Commitments agree to define clear targets and to implement concrete actions in 10 different fields relevant for sustainable development.

The EcoRegion project builds on the experience of these independent but interlinked processes to promote sustainable development.

• Numerous workshops will foster the inter-regional, cross-sectoral and sector-regional dialogue and understanding on sustainable development within the Baltic Sea Region.
• Capacity building programme on Integrated Sustainability Management Systems (common workshops and individual coaching)
• 10 experienced model EcoRegions will prepare strategic plans showing the sustainable development targets for their region and realise a selected set of concrete measures.
• Good practices on how to foster sustainable development will be collected, evaluated and documented.
• Studies, reports and round tables shall provide input for updates of Baltic 21 actions, Aalborg Commitments and other policies relevant to turn the Baltic Sea Region into an EcoRegion.

• Open accessible web-based database showing practices and contact points
• Thematic periodicals highlighting specific aspects of sustainability management
• EcoRegion newsletter and workshop documentations 

      
   Policy Recommendations

• Baltic 21 Actions (2010-1015)
• Aalborg Commitments for rural areas

      
   Model EcoRegions

• Sustainability Programmes prepared in each region
• At least one concrete sustainable development measure realised in the region

• ERDF Budget                = 2.151.667 EUR  
• Norwegian Budget       =    104.250 EUR
• Partner Co-Finance     =    727.139 EUR

• Policy                              =     600.000 EUR
• Sectors                           =     929.000 EUR
• Regions                         =  1.454.056 EUR