Project description
BalticSeaNow.info is a broadly-based expression of a common will to protect the Baltic Sea. The project develops and introduces innovative communication tools to foster information sharing and discussion about the Baltic Sea environment. The target group is the people living in the coastal areas of Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia, but the results are accessible to all interested in the Baltic Sea. The project aims to raise environmental awareness, concern and commitment of the general public to the Baltic Sea environmental issues, to offer an arena for discussion, participation and information sharing and to promote networking of educational institutes.

The BalticSeaNow.info project establishes a common Baltic Sea web portal with focus on interactive and participatory elements, organises events, produces educational materials, and analyses environmental attitudes. In the core of the project is the BalticSeaNow.info -web portal where web-cameras, online environmental information, social media channels, discussion groups, and observations and stories produced by the public create framework for joint discussion, information sharing, development and participation. The novelty of the project is in participation of the general public compared to other information portals introducing the Baltic Sea environment. Easy all-available methods to monitor the state of the sea will be developed and introduced to the public. Experts from different fields comment discussions. Authorities and decision makers are informed about the new ideas emerged from the web-discussions. The project culminates in a series of events in participating countries.

Project location
Project involves people in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea, especially in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Sweden.

Project duration
BalticSeaNow.info will run for three years from November 2009 to October 2012.

Project funding
BalticSeaNow.info is financed through Central Baltic Interreg IVA Programme 2007-2013.

Project objectives
The main objective of the project is to increase environmental awareness and responsibility of the general public about the state and the future of the Baltic Sea, and to develop channels for public involvement in environmental discussion. This is to be achieved by combining modern communication methods and know-how of project partners representing environmental research, education and communication.

The project aims to:

1) promote consciousness and a common will to protect the Baltic Sea,
2) strengthen a common Baltic Sea identity,
3) develop innovative communication tools for environmental awareness raising, discussion and participation,
4) bring forth every day choices to make a positive effect on the future of the sea,
5) sensitize people for the beauty and diverse nature of the Baltic Sea via new communication methods (e.g. web cameras),

6) inform decision makers about the ideas and views of the public for protecting the sea,
7) activate people to observe the state of the Baltic Sea and share environmental information,
8) promote protection activities by disseminating information and arranging a series of events,
9) promote networking of educational institutes, and 9) improve dialogue between research, authorities and the public.

Lead partner:

Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland

Partners:

Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association, Turku, Finland
Tallinn University of Technology, Marine Systems Institute, Tallinn, Estonia
Estonian Fund for Nature, Tartu, Estonia
Environmental Projects Ltd., Riga, Latvia
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrköping, Sweden
More information: www.balticseanow.info (as of May 2010)

Organizations participating in BalticSeaNow.info:

Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS)

The Turku University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary institute of higher education having around 9000 students. It operates at six localities in Southwest Finland. The operations are divided into units that cross the boundaries of localities and fields of study: Arts Academy, Health Care, Life Sciences and Business, Technology, Environment and Business, Telecommunication and e-Business and Well-being Services.

Contact persons
Mr. Martti Komulainen: Mobile +358 44 907 2076, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ms. Katariina Kiviluoto: Mobile: +358 44 355 0907, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (KAT)

Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (KAT) is a national environmental and non-governmental organization for leisure boaters and for other recreational users of the waterways with expertise in educational work and environmental awareness campaigns.

Contact persons
Ms. Aija Bäckström: Tel. +358 2 2745513, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ms. Katriina Murto: Tel. +358 2 2745511, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tallinn University of Technology / Marine Systems Institute (MSI)

With its eight faculties, four colleges and R&D institutions, Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) is a national university of technology, internationally renowned, known as a reliable partner at different levels of collaboration networks. TUT fosters integration of technical and related natural and social sciences and humanities that create a basis of higher technological education and advancement of Estonia's economy. TUT is committed to collaboration in the networks of the countries of the Baltic Sea region, Europe- and worldwide. In Marine System Institute the research theme is Baltic Sea water and material exchange processes in changing climatic conditions.

Contact person
Dr. Inga Lips: Tel. +372 620430, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Estonian Fund for Nature
ELF (Eestimaa Looduse Fond - Estonian Fund for Nature) is a non-profit organisation. ELF was established in 1991 by biologists and conservationists and in close co-operation with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). WWF has remained ELF's main international co-operation partner. Sea, forest and wetlands - the aim of the Estonian Fund for Nature (Eestimaa Looduse Fond - ELF) is to preserve the entire Estonian nature and its diversity. Since 1991, the voluntary civic association in co-operation with many people and organizations has been the leader of various wildlife conservation projects important to Estonia.

Contact persons
Mr. Ivar Tamm: Tel. +372 58340638, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ms Kertu Hool: Tel. +372 5524782

Mr. Jüri-Ott Salm: Tel. +372 7 428443, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Environmental Projects Ltd. "Videsprojekti"
"Environmental Projects" Ltd is a state enterprise supervised by the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Latvia. "Environmental Projects" attracts resources from different organizations and financial institutions to solve the environmental problems that are important to Latvia. At the moment "Environmental Projects" is cooperating with the European Union Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Union Life Program, and with their continuous co-operation partners , the UN Development Program, Latvian office and the Global Environment Facility.

Contact person
Ms. Jana Gičevska: Tel. +371 67215051, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)
SMHI, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, is a government agency under the Ministry of the Environment, and uses its meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic expertise to promote efficiency, safety and a better environment in various areas of society.
SMHI provides planning and decision-making data for activities relying on the weather and water. It is an expert meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic resource for society, and conducts applied research in these areas. It also acts as a resource for environmental work.

Contact person
Ms. Pia Andersson: Tel.+46 31 751 8973 ,e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it