The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) – Sustaining Communities and Ecosystems of the Baltic Sea Region project supports a cross-border initiative that brings together partners from Estonia, Poland, Norway, Finland, and Ukraine. The project focuses on climate change mitigation, cultural heritage preservation, and biodiversity protection in coastal communities across both maritime and large lake regions. Its activities primarily support the communities of Ustka (Poland) and Espoo (Finland) on the Baltic Sea coast, Mustvee (Estonia) on the shores of Lake Peipsi, and Odesa (Ukraine) on the Black Sea.
Through interactive workshops, study visits, co-creation sessions, cross-border cooperation, and peer-to-peer learning, the project empowers communities with practical tools to adapt to climate change, strengthen grassroots democracy, and transfer community-driven solutions and innovative local models. In addition, the project supports community-led micro-grants that strengthen local preparedness, resilience, and environmental stewardship through initiatives tailored to local needs. These include providing uniforms for junior volunteer firefighters in Ustka, Poland, supporting the removal of ghost nets in the Åland Islands, Finland, and expanding a community heritage garden in Mustvee, Estonia, where local residents and the Peipsiland Museum are cultivating traditional plant varieties, preserving agricultural heritage, and creating educational spaces that celebrate the unique cultural traditions of the Lake Peipsi region and its Old Believer communities.
Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation, Development Policy Foundation, Smart Innovation Norway, and Grant Office Odesa 5T are fostering collaboration among these communities, demonstrating how environmental sustainability, cultural heritage preservation, and community resilience can go hand in hand. By sharing knowledge, expertise, and innovative local solutions, the project aims to inspire sustainable recovery and climate resilience across the Baltic Sea Region while supporting Ukraine’s path toward a more resilient future.
For more info regarding the project and actions, please also see:
https://cbss.org/psf/ongoing-projects/
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