As defined in EUSBSR Action Plan, flagship is frequently the result of a policy discussion within a policy area or horizontal action. It fleshes out the ambition to achieve EUSBSR objectives in a specified field. Flagships in form of project and processes are being implemented by EUSBSR countries in cooperation with their non-EU neighbours.

Harry S. Truman once said: “All will concede that in order to have good neighbours, we must also be good neighbours. That applies in every field of human endeavour.” In the framework of Baltic Sea Region and EUSBSR we can also talk about importance of good neighbourhood.

What do you think when you think about the Baltic Sea? Its beautiful landscape and unique archipelago? Pollution and environmental problems? Maybe its coastline is the place you call home?

Today, litter is a common problem all over the world. And, the Baltic Sea region does not make an exception. However, acknowledging that the challenge is common can lead to think of joint solutions and how to tackle the problem together. This is the approach taken in Wastless Karelias, a cross-border project between Finland and Russia that share the same kind of problems on both sides of the border.

The main task of Horizontal Action Neighbours is to bring stakeholders in the European Union member states and neighbouring countries, North Western territories of the Russian Federation as well as Norway, Belarus and Iceland together in a constructive, mutually advantageous manner.

Norway is closely linked to Baltic Sea Region (BSR) and has taken active part in Baltic Sea Region cooperation on national, regional and local level for many years. Norway is also closely linked to EU through the EEA agreement and supports the economic, social and sustainable development of the BSR among others through the EEA and Norwegian financial instruments.

The Cambridge Dictionary offers multiple meanings for the verb “connect”. One of them is: “to feel close to someone or have a good relationship with them”. The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) offers every year for the key stakeholders a chance to connect with each other and form new relationships. This year in Berlin, the Annual Forum is organized for the eighth time.