SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme – new project funding programme
SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme (BSNP) includes 13 countries: 8 EU countries around the Baltic Sea and 5 countries within the EU: s Eastern Partnership. Its aim is to strengthen and establish sustainable cooperation between EU countries around the Baltic Sea and countries within the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The BSNP replaces previous funding programmes such as seed funding for cooperation projects, support for academic collaboration, and third-country cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, building on lessons learned from these previous funding programmes. An important goal is for the cooperation funded by SI to continue to evolve, for example, through EU financing.
SI has approved funding for 33 projects
-Contributing to the strengthening of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and Sweden’s neighbouring countries is more important than ever. We are very happy by the positive response to our new project funding programme, the SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme, and the high number of high-quality project proposals received. Fortunately, SI was able to approve funding for 33 projects in this first round of applications. We look forward to close dialogue with our project owners regarding the implementation of the projects, says Kurt Bratteby, Head of the International Relations Department.
The applications reflect current challenges
The funded projects are expected to focus on the common challenges and opportunities of the region, where the cooperation benefits the region, as well as all involved parties. This year’s applications reflect current issues and challenges in Sweden and its neighbouring areas, with themes such as security and sustainability in food supply chains, energy systems, institution building, and issues related to Ukrainian refugees in the region.
Great interest in cooperation with Ucraine
The applications show a great interest in cooperation between the countries in the region, for example with a focus on challenges such as security, sustainability in food value chains, energy systems and issues related to Ukrainian refugees in the region. This year’s project applications also demonstrate a strong interest in cooperation with Ukraine. Among the countries in the Eastern Partnership, Ukraine has the highest number of applications (37), followed by Georgia with 13. Among the EU countries, Poland has the highest number of applications (31), followed by Latvia with 29. This highlights that multilateral cooperation in the region is an important and well-functioning tool, even in the current situation, and can also align with the needs in Ukraine.
Two types of grants – seed funding and cooperation projects
A change in BSNP compared to previous funding programmes is that it consists of two different types of grants: seed funding and cooperation projects, with different goals and differences in terms of duration and possible funding amounts. This year, 11 projects will receive seed funding, laying the foundation for cooperation. For example, seed funding can be used to prepare applications for new funding (primarily from the EU), develop concepts, and identify partners for future collaboration. 22 projects were granted funding for cooperation projects, aiming to deepen and further develop collaborations. For instance, by building networks and platforms, developing and testing models and methods, and providing input for policy and strategy.
The approved projects will start up during the summer and autumn.
Approved projects in last call
Decisions have now been made on which applications have been granted support in the latest call which closed on 2 March 2023. A list of approved projects can be found on the Swedish part of the web site.
Here is more information about SI Baltic Neighbourhood Programme