Cooperation in the Baltic Sea region contributes to the overall objectives of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region; Save the Sea, Connect the Region, Increase Prosperity. The Swedish Institute’s activities also contribute to strengthened democracy and rule of law as well as increased respect for human rights in the Eastern Partnership. Furthermore, the cooperation contributes to increased integration between the EU countries of the Baltic Sea Region and the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership and Russia.

Our work in the Baltic Sea region can include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. Denmark, Finland and Germany can sometimes be included.

The Swedish Institute finances exchanges and partnerships for both individuals and organizations. Through scholarships, visiting and leadership programmes and support for project collaboration, the Swedish Institute contributes to increased capacity, networking, long-term relationships and cooperation between Sweden and other countries in the Baltic Sea Region. All activities will help the countries jointly meet common challenges in line with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the EU Eastern Partnership.

We work with:

  • Support for individual travels relating to studies, research, internships and expert visits in Sweden, Russia and the EU Eastern Partnership, through the Visby Programme
  • Visiting and leadership programmes for decision makers and opinion makers to contribute to increased capacity and to create conditions for new initiatives, collaborations and partnerships.
  • Project support to meet common challenges in the region and to promote democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. Support is offered through the following types of funding; Seed funding, Third Country Participation, and Creative Force.
  • Communication and events aimed at increasing exchanges and dialogue between actors in the region.
  • The Swedish Institute also has the task of leading and coordinating the horizontal area HA Capacity within the framework of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), together with the Nordic Association and Union of the Baltic Cities.