Baltic Wings - nature tourism for sustainable rural economic development (Baltic Wings)

P2 Sustainable use of common resources

2.1. Natural and cultural resources developed into sustainable tourist attractions

Central Baltic

01.01.2018 - 31.12.2020

1.230.238 EUR

930.112 EUR ERDF

In the European context the Central Baltic region has great natural resources with relatively untouched wildlife areas, but is still rather unknown to nature tourists. The project aims to increase visits to already known sites for birdwatching and other nature activites as well as to develop new sites in order to extend the now short tourism season.

To achieve these goals, co-operation across national borders with focus on developing high-standard attractions and services is needed. Facilities need to be upgraded and accessibility for all visitors, including those physically disadvantaged, must be improved. Birding infrastructure, such as birding platforms, trails, hides and nature information centres/info points suitable for national as well as international tourism is needed and will be built within the project. By working together, we can offer nature lovers from all over the world a wide variety of natural landscapes, biotopes and special and rare species. Joint migratory routes for birds connects the countries in the region and will be a special theme in the project. Together it is possible to make targeted international marketing activities. By involving local partners that can develop tourism services, new job opportunities in rural areas will be created. Local guides are important for the fulfilment of the project aims.Guide education is an important part of the project.

The connection between small-scale farming and high nature values such as rich biodiversity and beautiful open landscapes will be emphasised to create awareness of the value of nature protection. The development of first class wildlife and bird sites will also be beneficial to the local public with free access to installations. This will also be of great educational value to schools for nature studies.

Lead Partner

Stockholms Ornitologiska Förening

Country: SE

www.stof.nu

Partner budget: 641.891 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 481.419 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Föreningen Närsholmen

Country: SE

not applicable

Partner budget: 344.009 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 258.006 EUR ERDF

Kökar Kommun

Country: FI

http://www.kokar.ax

Partner budget: 170.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 127.500 EUR ERDF

Dabas Tures

Country: LV

www.dabastures.lv

Partner budget: 3.238 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 2.752 EUR ERDF

Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde

Country: LV

www.daba.gov.lv

Partner budget: 71.100 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 60.435 EUR ERDF

Associated Partners

Ekoturismföreningen

Country: SE

Moonsund Eco OÜ

Country: EE

Skärgårdsstiftelsen

Country: SE

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -

Baltic Wings developed birdwatching prerequisites at Central Baltic area

The Baltic Wings project helped to develop the Central Baltic area as a nature and birdwatching destination.

Swedish, Latvian and Åland partners put their efforts on developing sustainable birding tourism in the region with the help of marketing activities, bird guide training and long-lasting infrastructure investments, such as built birding towers, platforms and hides. Especially capacity strengthening had a major role in the project, and it was done in cooperation with local entrepreneurs, lodges, stores and local food providers.

After upgrading attractions and destinations, the project made PR films and other extensive marketing efforts both nationally and for specialized target markets in Europe. Also, various tour packages were developed for international birding tourists. In addition, a Latvian-English book about birdwatching in the Slītere National park was created for bird watchers interested in bird migration in Cape Kolka, Latvia.

Project website: www.balticwings.org

Project page in database
At a glance
  • The Baltic Wings project helped to develop the Central Baltic area as a nature and birdwatching destination
  • Key activities were marketing, bird guide training and long-lasting infrastructure investments, such as built birding towers, platforms and hides
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Long distance cross-border hiking trail “The Forest Trail”. (Forest Trail)

P2 Sustainable use of common resources

2.1. Natural and cultural resources developed into sustainable tourist attractions

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 31.12.2021

1.215.720 EUR

960.419 EUR ERDF

Forest trail project aims at presenting hikers the opportunities that Latvian and Estonian forests have to offer them and to show them how to enjoy the forest life - nature processes, landscapes, animals, birds, trees, mushrooms, etc., through a guidebook, an ad hoc website, and a mobile application. The project will also make sure to mark all of the country hotels and guest houses conveniently located along the trails. The route is split up into approximately 50 one-day routes, each of them around 20 kilometers long. 

The Forest Trail project will cross protected landscape areas, two national parks – Gauja and Lahemaa, will pass through the land of Seto people with their authentic folk heritage, and will wind along the Lake Peipsi. Riga and Tallinn as start or endpoints will make the Forest Trail easily accessible to foreign guests: it will be linked with European long-distance hiking path.

Lead Partner

Latvijas lauku tūrisma asociācija Lauku Ceļotājs

Country: LV

www.countryholidays.lv

Partner budget: 259.638 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 205.114 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Vidzemes Plānošanas Reģions

Country: LV

www.vidzeme.lv

Partner budget: 141.375 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 111.686 EUR ERDF

Rīgas Plānošanas Reģions

Country: LV

www.rpr.gov.lv

Partner budget: 149.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 117.710 EUR ERDF

MTÜ Setomaa Turism

Country: EE

www.visitsetomaa.ee

Partner budget: 157.367 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 124.320 EUR ERDF

MTÜ Peipsimaa Turism

Country: EE

www.visitpeipsi.com

Partner budget: 163.777 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 129.384 EUR ERDF

Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde

Country: LV

www.daba.gov.lv

Partner budget: 107.345 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 84.803 EUR ERDF

AS Latvijas Valsts Meži

Country: LV

https://www.lvm.lv

Partner budget: 21.788 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 17.213 EUR ERDF

MTÜ Eesti Maaturism

Country: EE

http://www.maaturism.ee

Partner budget: 165.430 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 130.690 EUR ERDF

MTÜ Ökokuller

Country: EE

www.facebook.com/VisitLahemaa

Partner budget: 50.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 39.500 EUR ERDF

Associated Partners

Põhja-Eesti Turism

Country: EE

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Joint tourist attraction

Forest Trail created a long distance hiking route

The Forest Trail project created a long distance hiking route. It leads through the most forested lands, regional, nature and national parks of Estonia and Latvia. The total length of the Forest Trail Northern part approximately 1060 km.

The route is split in ca 20 km sections or hiking days. Each day of the Forest trail has a description, maps and downloadable GPX routes - start and end points, how long the expected walk will be, what the road surface is, and what will be worth seeing along the way. Hikers can read more information about the most interesting and significant places, landscapes, nature landmarks ​​and see the photo, so as not to miss the views on the way, also find information on places to eat, buy water and snacks, and also spend the night.

The developed Forest trail route in the Central Baltic project is connected to the southern route (from the Lithuanian / Polish border through Kurzeme to Riga) developed in the Latvia-Lithuania Interreg programme project. Both trails will be part of the E11 route of the European long distance hiking trail network by ERA – European Ramblers’ Association. The total length of the Forest Trail in all three Baltic states will be more than 2000 km, and the trail will include all forest types and wildlife features typical of the Baltic States.

Name in Latvian: Mežtaka 
Name in Estonian: Metsa matkarada

Direct link to the route guidebook (138 MB!).

More information about the route: https://baltictrails.eu/en/forest

Materials in all languages can be downloaded from the project website: https://baltictrails.eu/lv/forest/publications
 

Project page in database
At a glance
  • Over 1000 km of detailed hiking trails
  • Easy approach
  • Daily trips
Tags
 

Tell me about it -stories building belonging and democratic integration (TELL)

P4 Skilled and socially inclusive region

4.1. More people benefiting from stronger Central Baltic communities

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 31.03.2021

266.567 EUR

199.925 EUR ERDF

For minority groups and immigrants, access to the labour market is often quite challenging. The project promotes young immigrants’ integration and aims at preventing the social exclusion of young immigrants aged 16-29 in Kotka, Finland, and Uppsala, Sweden.
 
Story-telling is a way to improve young immigrants’ self-expression and to provide them with the necessary skills to engage with society and to build transcultural trust. To achieve this goal, the project organizes workshops based on cultural and artistic methods as well as Human rights and democracy –games. The young immigrants' integration stories will be collected through culture and art methods such as theatre performances, rap lyrics, comics or videos. The success factors of the integration process will be analysed, published and disseminated further in immigrant communities.
 
The social capital resulted from the project is estimated to improve young immigrants’ participation in the education system and the labour market. This will, in turn, strengthens the ties between young immigrants and the society they have emigrated to.

Lead Partner

Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu

Country: FI

https://www.xamk.fi/en/

Partner budget: 203.567 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 152.675 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Folkuniversitetet stiftelsen kursverksamheten vid Uppsala universitet

Country: SE

http://www.folkuniversitetet.se/uppsala

Partner budget: 63.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 47.250 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Improved community

TELL improved social inclusion among young immigrants

During its implementation, the TELL project organised workshops for young immigrants aged between 16-29. These workshops focused on storytelling or using a game called Human rights and democracy. In storytelling workshops, successful integration stories were shared using narrative methods, whereas the game-focused workshops aimed to evoke discussions about different rules, rights and manners of a new country. The latter deployed cultural and artistic methods. Additionally to project target groups, the methodology was partly tested through information exchange between project partners.
 
Throughout implementation, positive stories of belonging and engaging in the society as well as mutual understanding and building transcultural trust, were emphasised. In total, 90 young immigrants participated in project activities.

 

Creation of new employment opportunities for people living in rural remote areas through designing and piloting village community services (Act Local)

P4 Skilled and socially inclusive region

4.1. More people benefiting from stronger Central Baltic communities

Central Baltic

01.05.2019 - 30.04.2021

264.787 EUR

209.182 EUR ERDF

Persons living in rural remote areas far from city centers are in weaker position to find a job. It is mainly related to family responsibilities and to long distances. There are different groups who have difficulties to find a job away from their home, like families with young children, single parents, persons taking care of their family members, young people with lower education level, seniors etc. In many villages local people are ready to contribute to better living environment. At the same time the cooperation between the municipality government and local NGO's/people is the best solution for ensuring the quality, flexibility and accessibility of public services. Partners will encourage and support local people's cooperation, so they could join their forces for creation of new employment opportunities for themselves. A new solution is designing “community services” needed for local people and for visitors. These can be for example: home care of elderly people, youth work, youth/children hobby and leisure activities, cultural services etc. As all involved municipalities from Estonia and Lavia are locating in regions, which are attractive for tourists, then another catergory of community services could be developed for visitors (community based tourism services). These services can be: providing local food, cultural entertainment, excursions, events, handicraft workshops etc.As a result of the project in Setomaa, Alutaguse, Ape and Engure communities the social-well being of local people living in 17 rural villages has been improved through higher employment. By the end of the project period ca 25 persons living in rural villages have got (mostly part-time) job in their home area related to providing community services to local people and visitors. Ca 10-15 persons are expected to find the job after project end. The provision of the services can be arranged via local NGO's, newly established companies or local people becoming self-employed.

Lead Partner

MTÜ Setomaa Liit

Country: EE

www.setomaa.ee

Partner budget: 89.156 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 70.433 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Engures Novada Dome

Country: LV

www.enguresnovads.lv

Partner budget: 56.845 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 44.908 EUR ERDF

Alutaguse vallavalitsus

Country: EE

www.alutagusevald.ee

Partner budget: 68.513 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 54.125 EUR ERDF

Apes Novada Dome

Country: LV

www.apesnovads.lv

Partner budget: 50.273 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 39.716 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Improved community

Act Local improved local employment possibilities in rural areas

The project improvement local labour market opportunities by implementing community service pilots based on local development plans. The development plans and pilots were implemented in four regions – Ape, Alutaguse, Engure and Setomaa.
 
The development plans and pilots were supported by several practical and theoretical trainings which were targeted towards local people. Altogether over 400 participants took part in the trainings.
 
Local community service pilots were implemented in 15 rural village communities in above mentioned regions. Pilots took several different forms based on the local needs which were found through the development process of the development plans. As an example, pilots included local market days, cultural events, recording studio, outdoor cinema and beach volley activities.

 

Meta cluster for exporting breeding animals to new markets (BreedExpo)

P1 Competitive economy

1.3. More exports by the Central Baltic companies to new markets

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 31.01.2022

739.392 EUR

583.589 EUR ERDF

Estonia, Latvia, and Finland are highly skilled in breeding cattle animals especially in bigger farms - they are actively working on improving livestock quality. For them, entering new export markets would have a positive impact to the development of the dairy and beef cattle breeding sector as an increasing number of exported heifers would give an additional income for dairy and beef farmers as well as it would promote genetic diversity in livestock.
 
The project BreedExpo aims at supporting agricultural producers from Estonia, Finland, and Latvia to export breeding animals, to Kazahstan, Georgia and Ukraine. A cluster-based approach will be used to establish a cooperation between existing networks of farmer organizations, project partners and national/sectoral breeding associations. In total, ca 40 agricultural producers will be involved in the project activities.
 
It is expected that within one year after the project completion, at least 1 sales transaction will have taken place in each target market - one sales transaction means that 100 or more animals from larger group of farmers have been bought by local intermediary organizations (breeding associations, farmers cooperatives or similar) and sold to target markets.

Lead Partner

Eesti Põllumajandus-Kaubanduskoda

Country: EE

www.epkk.ee

Partner budget: 223.924 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 182.274 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Biedriba "Zemnieku saeima"

Country: LV

www.zemniekusaeima.lv

Partner budget: 229.910 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 187.147 EUR ERDF

Maataloustuottajain Varsinais-Suomen liitto

Country: FI

https://www.mtk.fi/liitot/varsinaissuomi/fi_FI/etusivu/

Partner budget: 285.558 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 214.169 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
New cluster co-operation exporting to new markets

BreedExpo helped agricultural producers enter new markets

The main objective of BreedExpo project was to support agricultural producers from CB area, who are interested in exporting breeding animals, to enter into new markets: Kazahstan, Georgia and Ukraine.

Cooperation between farmers’ organisations and joint actions enabled to get more attention and higher interest in new target markets, and to optimize the costs of marketing activities. As CB markets and individual farms are quite small compared to selected target markets, it is quite difficult for individual farmers to make deals and get sales. Working together and making joint sales contracts allows to meet needs of big farms in Kazakhstan, Georgia or Ukraine.
 
As a result of the project a strong cluster cooperation was established involving ca 600 farmers and 8 breeding and export companies and associations from project area. 36 farmers participated actively in export activities (contact visits to target markets, participation in agricultural exhibitions). Ca 100 farmers sold their cattle through local intermediary organisations to 3 selected target markets during project implementation period: 27 deliveries were organised to Georgia, 20 to Kazakhstan and 3 to Ukraine. The amount of the sales was ca 2,7 million euros. In total ca 1300 beef cattle and ca 870 dairy cattle were sold to target markets.

Project page in database
At a glance
  • Strong cluster operation
  • 600 farmers and 8 companies involved
  • Total amount of sales value ca 2,7 million euros
  • Over 2000 cattles sold
Tags
 

NOCCA – Novel opportunities for new company creation and accelerated growth (NOCCA)

P1 Competitive economy

1.1. New Central Baltic knowledge intensive companies

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 30.06.2021

1.053.809 EUR

834.332 EUR ERDF

Students are a key stakeholder group in the creation of new knowledge intensive companies. However, most have little exposure to entrepreneurship, thus limited willingness and capacities to create and run their own company - to set it up they require awareness of business opportunities in new and emergent fields as well as accelerated growth. However, international growth is challenging for start-ups since they lack networks, contacts, resources and skills.

NOCCA – Novel Opportunities for new Company Creation and Accelerated growth –will develop a course to be set-up and implemented in Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga. The course will include three consecutive multidisciplinary and intergenerational hackathons and idea camps. Students and organisations from the participating countries will be paired with others coming from different ones - the aim is to support the creation of new cross-border companies and to further engaging with the innovation ecosystem. 

The project aims at involving 850 students Finland, Estonia and Latvia and to expose them to entrepreneurship and to challenges related to the silver, the green and the blue economy.

Lead Partner

Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu

Country: FI

https://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/frontpage

Partner budget: 527.966 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 392.015 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

SA Tallinna Teaduspark Tehnopol

Country: EE

www.tehnopol.ee

Partner budget: 152.910 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 128.719 EUR ERDF

Mektory

Country: EE

Mektory.ee

Partner budget: 148.102 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 124.673 EUR ERDF

Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

Country: LV

www.sseriga.edu

Partner budget: 224.831 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 188.925 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Joint student company

NOCCA created novel opportunities for new company creation and accelerated growth

Aim of the project was to build and pilot a new cross-border approach to student empowered company creation with the specific aim of generating new cross-border enterprises in the silver, blue and green economies in the Central Baltic Sea region. The main objective was to create 6 new joint or cooperating cross-border companies.

Project organised hackathons, networking and pitching events to support students’ awareness raising and capacity building for entrepreneurial-minded students. 450 students participated in different events and many of them indicated future aspiration towards entrepreneurship career.

Project faced challenges from Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns had a negative impact on project activities, especially on cross-border cooperation. Project was quite successful in using online tools but students’ commitment to virtual events was not as strong as to physical events. Missing possibility to communicate face-to-face made cooperation harder. Because of that some of the project focus was turned to helping existing startups by giving mentoring services to them. In total 72 enterprises were supported by the project activities.

Project main objective was achieved partly: 7 new start-up companies were created. However, they are not cross-border companies although they indicated plans to expand their activities to other project countries. Intention to work together with somebody from other country was not enough strong and Covid related restrictions had additional negative impact on working across borders.
 

Project page in database
At a glance
  • In total 72 enterprises were supported by the project activities.
  • 7 new start-up companies were created.
Tags
 

Archipelago Access (Archipelago Access)

P2 Sustainable use of common resources

2.1. Natural and cultural resources developed into sustainable tourist attractions

Archipelago and Islands

01.04.2019 - 30.06.2021

1.461.306 EUR

1.095.980 EUR ERDF

Sustainable nature and culture-based archipelago tourism are still characterized by a large number of SMEs, public actors, uncoordinated promotion and scattered information. Thanks to Archipelago Access, Turku and Stockholm archipelagos join forces and invite Åland along to increase the attractiveness of the whole archipelago area.
 
Archipelago Access develops and launches a joint digital solution to offer easy access to tourists seeking travel information. It also provides a platform for user-generated content and interaction. The platform is linked to two interactive exhibitions - Utö Outdoor Exhibition in SWE and Turku Archipelago Showroom in FIN - that improve the visibility of the archipelago area as a tourist destination. Improved visibility and attractiveness, easier access to information and experiential promotion will, in turn, increase the number of visitors in the archipelago. This action is also aimed at prolonging the tourism season resulting in economic benefits for the regions.  The project engages tourism operators in content production, encourages visitors to share their experiences and provides peer support to entrepreneurs.
 
Archipelago Access is set to kick-off a long-term development plan for increasing tourism in the archipelago. The promotion model and tools developed by the project can be later transferred and applied to other travel contexts.

Lead Partner

Turun kaupunki

Country: FI

https://www.turku.fi

Partner budget: 867.358 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 650.519 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Skärgårdsstiftelsen i Stockholms län

Country: SE

www.skargardsstiftelsen.se

Partner budget: 593.948 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 445.461 EUR ERDF

Associated Partners

Visit Åland

Country: FI

Destination Utö ekonomisk förening

Country: SE

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Joint tourist attraction

​Archipelago Access made the archipelago and islands area more accessible

The project created a web service and two exhibitions to act as entry points to archipelago tourism. The concept behind this is to strengthen the archipelago regions as a joint tourism attraction by jointly promoting, increasing awareness, and providing easier access to information.
 
The exhibitions will act as a gateway for visitors to gain necessary information for their travels around the Central Baltic Programme areas in Finland and Sweden.
 
The web portal, Explore Archipelago, gives visitors easier access and a unified view into tourist information as it expands the physical exhibitions by gathering the information on services and destinations under one address. At the same time, it provides a digital bridge over the Baltic Sea. The digital system is expandable and robust, and it sees no borders. The project partners are committed to developing the service further, and in the future, it can embrace a wider area still.

Project page in database
At a glance
  • Easier access to archipelagos in Finland and Estonia
  • An information portal about sights and services
Tags
 

Nature access to all (NatAc)

P2 Sustainable use of common resources

2.1. Natural and cultural resources developed into sustainable tourist attractions

Central Baltic

01.05.2019 - 31.10.2021

965.773 EUR

762.932 EUR ERDF

To enable tourists with physical, visual, hearing and cognitive impairment to take advantage of the nature-based tourism sites in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, the specific focus should be put on accessibility.
 
NatAc project aims at facilitating access to nature tourism by developing a chain of accessible nature sites.
 
An Internet platform and a travel guide will be developed to streamline tourist information about the sites in the core Central Baltic area in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.

Lead Partner

Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Country: LV

www.kurzemesregions.lv

Partner budget: 300.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 240.930 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

MTÜ Lääne-Eesti Turism

Country: EE

www.westestonia.ee

Partner budget: 214.563 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 172.315 EUR ERDF

Keskkonnaamet

Country: EE

www.keskkonnaamet.ee

Partner budget: 126.968 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 101.968 EUR ERDF

Metsähallitus, Rannikon Luontopalvelut

Country: FI

http://www.metsa.fi

Partner budget: 238.805 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 179.104 EUR ERDF

Pärnu Linnavalitsus

Country: EE

www.parnu.ee

Partner budget: 85.437 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 68.615 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Joint tourist attraction

NatAc established a chain of accessible nature tourism sites

NatAc established a chain of accessible nature tourism sites in Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Existing nature sites were developed into accessible tourism objects by using up-to-date, modern and sustainable solutions on infrastructure. In cooperation with accessibility experts, the project improved or created 19 accessible nature sites which are now accessible to all, including people with disabilities, seniors, young families travelling with baby-strollers, people with temporary injuries.

The project developed new solutions for accessible products and services. For example tactile objects were developed that allow to understand the shape and details of nature objects. Braille and audio materials were created to allow the blind to read and hear the data, toolboxes with educational materials to comprehend and enjoy the nature through various senses - touch, smell, taste etc. Videos were produced to give information about the accessible nature trails and developed products for learning about nature. Information about the accessible trails is provided on the site in plain language on tactile info stands, cards, easy to understand marking system with accessibility pictograms.

Accessibility of all nature trails in project area were assessed using the accessibility checklist. The project issued a Travel Guide on accessible nature sites and launched an Internet Platform mapeirons.eu, which contains info on all identified accessible or partly accessible nature sites in the core Central Baltic area in Latvia, Estonia and Finland. The guide is available in Latvian, Estonian, Finnish and English.

Files:

Project page in database
At a glance
  • 19 accessible nature site utilising modern and sustainable solutions
  • Assessed accessibility
  • Braille and audio materials to comprehend the nature through various senses 
Files
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Urban and Smart Island Tourism Destinations (URBAN ECO ISLANDS)

P2 Sustainable use of common resources

2.1. Natural and cultural resources developed into sustainable tourist attractions

Archipelago and Islands

01.04.2019 - 30.06.2021

1.093.704 EUR

858.226 EUR ERDF

The twin city area of Helsinki and Tallinn has the potential to offer nature-oriented tourist attractions. Because of their strong archipelago vocation, the islands of Vasikkasaari in Helsinki and Aegna in Tallinn have been selected as pilot destinations to test new, innovative and smart solutions to ensure nature protection whilst increasing the attractiveness of the islands. URBAN ECO ISLANDS project aims to increase environmentally conscious tourism in the area.
 
The smart digital solutions included in the project will enhance the experiences of both local and foreign visitors, as well as the cities in which the islands are located. Helsinki and Tallinn will benefit from the increase in visitor numbers, the investments in waste management and boardwalks as well as smart from the solutions developed by the project to improve the environmental protection of these islands.

Lead Partner

Helsingin kaupungin ympäristöpalvelut

Country: FI

https://www.hel.fi/kaupunkiymparisto/en/organisation-and-presentation-of-the-division/

Partner budget: 365.060 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 273.795 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Tallinna Kesklinna Valitsus

Country: EE

https://www.tallinn.ee/est/kesklinn/

Partner budget: 215.020 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 182.767 EUR ERDF

Forum Virium Helsinki Oy

Country: FI

www.forumvirium.fi

Partner budget: 349.172 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 261.879 EUR ERDF

Stockholmi Keskkonnainstituudi Tallinna Keskus

Country: EE

www.sei.org/centres/tallinn

Partner budget: 164.452 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 139.784 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Joint tourist attraction

​URBAN ECO ISLAND investigated sustainable use of islands close to cities

The URBAN ECO ISLAND project piloted new, innovative and smart solutions on two islands (Vasikkasaari in Finland and Aegna in Estonia), to ensure nature protection whilst increasing the attractiveness of the destinations.
 
The project developed a joint concept for sustainable island tourism. The development process included for example:

  1. An island visitors’ survey to collect experiences and views
  2. Testing of different smart solutions to analyse how increased used of destination will impact on its flora and
  3. Small investments like benches, recycling facilities, improvement of walking tracks and signboards.

As a result, a Handbook for developing urban eco-islands was published and it is available in English, Estonian and Finnish. The handbook can be used when developing sustainable tourism on islands close to cities.

 

Baltic Loop (Baltic Loop)

P3 Well-connected region

3.1. Improved transport flows of people and goods

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 30.09.2021

1.872.149 EUR

1.457.717 EUR ERDF

The Baltic Sea region is an area of fast growth and a key market for about 100 million consumers. To support this phenomenon and to smoothen the transportation flow in corridors and traffic gateways, issues such as the productivity in the operation of traffic, interoperability which exceeds the borders and more fluent, safer traffic with fewer effects on the air quality, require to be tackled.
 
The Baltic Loop project focuses on developing solutions to transportation bottlenecks along the East-West corridors. The project covers three of them: northern from Örebro – Turku – St. Petersburg, middle from Örebro – Tallinn – St.Petersburg and southern from Örebro – Riga – St. Petersburg; real-time traffic information about the status of traffic, the control of its flow and better commercial services will be provided.
 
A decrease in transportation and traveling time and in the subsequent emissions generated in these three corridors can be expected. As a spillover effect, improved competitiveness, a more efficient delivery/terminal operation process and reduced traveling time for passengers to the corridors will result as well. 
 

Lead Partner

Turun Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Country: FI

www.tuas.fi

Partner budget: 524.343 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 382.770 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Region Örebro län

Country: SE

www.regionorebrolan.se

Partner budget: 274.931 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 206.198 EUR ERDF

Vidzemes plānošanas reģions

Country: LV

www.vidzeme.lv

Partner budget: 185.430 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 157.616 EUR ERDF

Rīgas plānošanas reģions

Country: LV

www.rpr.gov.lv

Partner budget: 223.000 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 189.550 EUR ERDF

Åbo Akademi

Country: FI

http://www.abo.fi/fakultet/ietkf

Partner budget: 359.957 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 262.769 EUR ERDF

Ventspils Augsto Tehnoloģiju parks nodibinājums

Country: LV

www.vhtp.lv

Partner budget: 197.380 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 167.773 EUR ERDF

Harjumaa Omavalitsuste Liit

Country: EE

www.hol.ee

Partner budget: 107.107 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 91.041 EUR ERDF

Associated Partners

City of Turku

Country: FI

City of Salo

Country: FI

Freeport of Ventspils authority

Country: LV

Latvijas Republikas Satiksmes ministrija

Country: LV

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Improved transport flow of goods

Baltic Loop improved transport flows of people and goods in three selected corridors of Central Baltic region

Project target was to improve 3 East-West direction transport corridors in Central Baltic region. These are Northern corridor Örebro – Turku – St. Petersburg, middle corridor Örebro – Tallinn – St.Petersburg and Southern corridor Örebro – Riga – St. Petersburg. Project analysed situation along these corridors, defined hindrances and bottlenecks in different sections or transport nodes on corridors (ports, logistic terminals, border crossing points, etc.) and proposed solutions for improving the flow of transport. Several studies were conducted and analyses made for improvements that will shorten the transportation time of goods and passengers. Studies can be found at https://www.balticloop.eu/index.php/deliverables/

Project concluded that for example on Northern corridor the potential time saving will be about 20 minutes, if proposed improvements would be implemented. It will generate up to 58 kg less CO2 emissions per one truck.

Important achievement was also the creation of platform for gathering stakeholders of the field and expand a dialogue about the challenges, obstacles and possibilities that are identified in the transport and logistics sector from all participating areas. Project results will be integrated into strategic transport and regional development policy planning documents. In addition, the created cooperation between municipality planners and private sector (mainly transport and logistic companies) should create better understanding for future development.

Project page in database
At a glance
  • 3 improved transport corridors
  • Shortened transport time of goods and passangers
  • Lowered CO2 emissions
  • Creating a forum for discussions
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Empowering immigrant women in supporting their and their families' health and wellbeing (WoHealth)

P4 Skilled and socially inclusive region

4.1. More people benefiting from stronger Central Baltic communities

Central Baltic

01.05.2019 - 30.04.2021

265.834 EUR

199.375 EUR ERDF

Immigrant women and mothers often lack peer support in the new country they move to. They also have challenges understanding recommendations from healthcare professionals.

Immigrant women who have arrived in a certain country and lived there for some time, have gained knowledge and understanding of the local culture and the service system. Their peer support is a very valuable tool for new immigrant women.
The project focuses on immigrant women in Finland and in Sweden ad both countries share a similar social structure.

The project aims to develop a model that helps immigrants reaching satisfactory health and wellbeing standards. To reach this goal the project will create a training program and material for workshops adapted to the differences in legislation in Finland and Sweden. In Finland, a peer support training system will be developed and directed to immigrant women willing to volunteer and give support to other women with the same needs. In Sweden, a multicultural health advisor will help immigrant women by using the training’s programme and the material developed for the workshops.

Lead Partner

Turun Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Country: FI

www.turkuamk.fi

Partner budget: 167.534 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 125.651 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Region Östergötland, Flyktingmedicinskt centrum

Country: SE

https://www.regionostergotland.se/Om-regionen/Verksamheter/Narsjukvarden-i-vastra-Ostergotland/Flyktingmedicinskt-centrum/

Partner budget: 98.300 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 73.725 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
Improved community

WoHealth increased standard of health for immigrant mothers

WoHealth increased immigrant mother’s opportunity to reach satisfactory standard of health and wellbeing and thereby supported their integration in unfamiliar culture. 

The project developed an education model for peer support of immigrant women who are pregnant or have small children. Women who have lived in the country for a longer time and gained knowledge and understanding of the local culture and service system; were educated to volunteer as peer supporters. The aim of peer supporters is to motivate and support other immigrant women to maintain their health and well-being and to find out new ways to take care their children’s health and well-being. Peer supporter guide in easy language was developed to increase capacity of volunteers.

The project supported collaboration between immigrant clients and professionals in health care, especially children and maternity clinics. Some immigrant women received peer support during their appointments in maternity and child health clinics. In total, 28 leaflets in easy language were prepared in order to improve information about health. The leaflets cover most important topics concerning motherhood, parenthood and childcare, and are available online in printable format.

 All materials in Finnish and Swedish: https://www.tuas.fi/en/research-and-development/projects/empowering-immigrant-women-supporting-their-and-th/

Project page in database
At a glance
  • An education model for peer support of immigrant women who are pregnant or have small children
  • A collaboration between immigrant clients and professionals in health care.
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Social media links

Lead Partner website

 

Competitive Economy Through Cross Border Export Support to Sub-Saharan Africa, India and UAE Countries (eMesai)

P1 Competitive economy

1.3. More exports by the Central Baltic companies to new markets

Central Baltic

01.04.2019 - 31.12.2021

996.813 EUR

787.457 EUR ERDF

Sub-Saharan Africa, India and UAE are growing markets and have enormous business potential for technology companies located in the Central Baltic region, especially in the fields of Viable Citizen Solutions and Intelligent Transportation Systems. At the same time, they are complicated markets to enter.  Cross-border cooperation provides a framework to face market entry challenges jointly. Sharing the costs of activities such as marketing, exporting competence building and the application of export support tools among SME business networks, can facilitate the process.
 
eMesai project is developing a sustainable  cross-border cooperation model to increase export in the target markets by coordinating:
•   cross-company marketing to the foreign markets in question.
•    mentoring among SME-s
•    systematic SHARING of the existing business leads and know-how among CB SME-s.
 
eMesai supports at least 50 SME-s export and achieves at least 9 new sales in target markets.

Lead Partner

Eesti Infotehnoloogia ja Telekommunikatsiooni Liit

Country: EE

www.itl.ee

Partner budget: 362.518 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 295.960 EUR ERDF

Project Partners

Latvijas Informācijas tehnoloģiju klasteris

Country: LV

www.itbaltic.com

Partner budget: 237.601 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 193.978 EUR ERDF

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Country: SE

www.ri.se

Partner budget: 396.693 EUR

Amount of ERDF funding: 297.520 EUR ERDF

Expected results

Achieved results

Project result in category -
New cluster co-operation exporting to new markets

eMesai supported SME's entering the Sub-Saharan, Indian and UAE markets

The project supported SMEs' efforts to enter the Sub-Saharan, India and UAE markets to reach the main objective of increasing the Central Baltic SMEs' export to these regions/countries. This was done by 3 strong CB ICT clusters from Sweden, Estonia and Latvia through joint export competence building and jointly applying export support tools.

During the project 1 sale and 1 MoU was signed. In addition, more than 10 sales and potential sales after the end of the project were recorded.

The project supported altogether more than 200 SMEs’ export efforts.

As main activities of the project following were implemented:

  1. 2 joint export seminars (Tallinn & Riga) and 1 export webinar;
  2. 2 joint study trips on joint marketing (Tallinn & Riga)
  3. 2 joint webinars on: how to participate in World Bank tenders and how to participate in UN tenders in African countries/India
  4. 3 joint trade missions to regional events/world congresses (Transform Africa Summit and ITS World Congresses), 1 joint trade mission to the UAE and 3 webinars to prepare for these missions
  5. Raising awareness seminars about digitalization benefits of the local stakeholders/potential clients at e-Governance conferences in Tallinn in 2019, 2020 and 2021 online, EEN Sweden online matchmaking event and at a webinar on how to do business in India digitally
  6. Local market expert service in India and in the UAE for altogether 16 SMEs from 3 countries, updates of business profiles and solution descriptions for Estonian SMEs for fitting better for the target markets and participation in the Business Support to EU-India Policy dialogue project events for specific Swedish SMEs with personal invitations.

The significant part of the project implementation fell to the Covid pandemic, and the project had to adopt with new circumstances. The partnership was successful in that.

Social media links

Project website Estonian Lead Partner

Project website Swedish Partner

Project website Latvian Partner

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Project videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6d_EHjrUI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2LFmOMSDKqiSm211lXCFK_INIsV87LlCxcAnTOhZ0oFUNMc8hTjlOMqmI