The Interreg BSR funding in the years 2021–2027 is oriented towards bringing innovative, water-smart and climate-neutral solutions for the benefit of citizens. Interreg BSR offers EU funding for public and private players with smart ideas on how to shape the Baltic Sea Region, providing more than money – an environment for working together across borders to let great solutions become common practice. In this Programme period, the focus is placed particularly on supporting public authorities in meeting the needs of communities and companies – so cities and municipalities should consider joining the transnational cooperation!
While the last applications from the first call are being submitted this month, we are looking into the future and waiting for news about the next funding calls. The inspiration for these is supported by the shared opinions and stories from the mayors of the active cities of the region that use the project framework for developing the services and urban environment. Get inspired by the examples from the UBC cities!
Gdansk
Thanks to international cooperation in Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, the city and its residents benefited from the know-how of the universities and municipalities on different sustainable transport solutions, including automated public transport.
Besides automated last-mile mobility, the city cooperated with other actors from the region, promoting active mobility modes and multimodal solutions. International cooperation and exchange of experience allow a city to learn from the mistakes of others. It also provides arguments for the implementation of smart and innovative solutions.
Full interview with Piotr Grzelak, Deputy Mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk, Vice-President of UBC
Tartu
External funding is making it much easier to analyse the situation, communicate and engage with different interested parties to implement new solutions.
Partnerships built in these projects give us the opportunity to look at the local issues here in Tartu from an international perspective. Joining these projects is also a good way to learn from new and smart ideas born in other countries and cities. Moreover, transnational cooperation is key to building a strong network working in different areas of urban life.
Full interview with Raimond Tamm, Mayor of the Estonian city of Tartu
Växjö
We have been learning a lot from others when it comes to sustainability and other topics.
The output of these efforts had a positive impact on citizens and the environment. We learned how to better delineate and narrow the scope of our projects on environmental issues and to put Växjö on the map. We are one of the greenest cities in Europe, and this was possible thanks to transnational cooperation.
Full interview with Anna Tenje, Mayor of Växjö Municipality, Sweden
Turku
Working across borders with other partners from the region and beyond is essential to improve the attractiveness and living conditions in Turku.
Thanks to Interreg we managed to bring forward smart solutions that contributed to making urban transport more sustainable, enhancing water management coordination locally and promoting a healthy lifestyle among citizens.
Full interview with Minna Arve, Mayor of the Finnish city of Turku
Jelgava
Local and regional municipalities can play an important role in the promotion of sustainability by facilitating short supply circuits, implementing targeted campaigns, informing and educating their inhabitants.
It is really welcomed that municipalities are involved in the EU projects as they are at the closest governance level to the population. Strategic planning and cross-sectoral cooperation at all governance levels and with inhabitants bring new prospects to a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits.
Full interview with Ilze Vītola, Vice-Chairman of the Jelgava Local Municipality, Latvia