On October 29–31, the EUSBSR Annual Forum took place in Visby, Gotland, gathering people involved in transnational cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and implementing the EU Strategy for the macro-region.
In the course of three days, numerous network meetings, panel and roundtable discussions and workshops took place, pinning down solutions to various challenges on regional, national, macro-regional and international level. Our colleague Maija Kāle, Sustainability Advisor, participated at a workshop of October 30 on the different levels of preparedness in terms of food security in the region, both in the short term and in the long term. Maija presented her insights on the topic of growing food in urban areas and the opportunities for resilience and sustainability it entails. She highlighted innovative strategies for urban agriculture, emphasising its potential to strengthen food security while promoting environmental sustainability. Her insights resonated deeply with participants, showcasing how urban areas can play a crucial role in resilience planning.
The event gathered over 650 participants fostering networking and leading to project proposals. The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat was widely represented, including coordinators of the Policy Area Bioeconomy and Policy Area Security. With the support of the NCM Latvia also Olga Trofimtseva, Ukrainian agricultural policy expert, Agrifood Team Lead at Mykolaiv Water Hub and former Acting Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, was able to attend the event and share her knowledge and experience.
In the photo: Olga Trofimceva presenting her findings.
This year’s forum proved to be a resounding success, with participants from across Europe and beyond advancing cooperation and integration. The event underscored the importance of multi-level governance and the need for dialogue between actors of all levels. In addition to the food security workshop, the Forum featured diverse sessions on topics such as regional innovation, culture and education. This vibrant exchange of ideas highlighted potential of the Baltic Sea region in addressing global challenges.
About EUSBSR Annual Forum
Abbreviation EUSBSR stands for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It is an agreement between the European Commission and the EU member states bordering the Baltic Sea – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. It fosters cooperation and finds common solutions to joint challenges on a macro-regional level. Since 2009, the Forum has been bringing together policymakers, experts and stakeholders from across the Baltic Sea region to address diverse critical challenges and foster collaboration in the Baltic Sea region within the framework of the EU Strategy for the region. In 2025, the Forum will take place on 29–30 October 2025 in Gdańsk, Poland.
Photo: Pixabay.com
