Text: Viktoriia Hladii, Baltic Sea Srategy Point

 

On 5 June, in the margins of the closing event of the Swedish Presidency of the Strategy, the 8th and final Sweden-chaired meeting of the Group of National Coordinators (NCG) took place. Among the themes discussed by the group were topics such as the guidelines for the Strategy’s communication, short and long-term monitoring and evaluation framework, as well as the topic of financing and the Managing Authorities’ Networks. The meeting has wrapped up with the short introduction of the incoming Latvian Presidency which kicks off already on 1 July.

NCG discussed the first draft of the communication guidelines that are being prepared by the Baltic Sea Strategy Point for effectively communicating the Strategy’s mission and vision. The final document will present long-term strategic objectives and tools to plan and target communication activities around the implementation of the Strategy. It is being designed mainly for the use of main stakeholder groups, such as National Coordinators, Policy Area Coordinators, Steering Groups members, and the Baltic Sea Strategy Point.

NCG discussed the next steps toward the monitoring and evaluation framework implementation. The monitoring and evaluation framework of the Strategy is being set to assess the success and impact of the Strategy and to be able to better communicate the results and achievements the Strategy brings. Long-term, this framework aims to combine various strands of reporting duties in the Policy Areas to different parties (such as to the European Commission, Interreg financial programme, and the Strategy’s internal monitoring of achievements by NCG).

NCG discussed the ways of cooperation with the Managing Authorities networks for the EU Structural Funds. NCG endorsed the cooperation with the ERDF and ESF+ networks, especially when comes to preparation for the upcoming EU funding period and funding sources for the Strategy implementation.

Latvian National Coordinator presented briefly to NCG the priorities for the next year’s Presidency of the Strategy, which Latvia will hold between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Latvia is committed to continuing the priorities of the Swedish Presidency, such as communication, monitoring and evaluation, and support for Ukraine, while climate, energy, and youth will be on the agenda of the upcoming Annual Forum on 4-5 October in Riga.

 

See the full minutes of the National Coordinators meeting here.
The next NCG meeting, under the Latvian EUSBSR Presidency, will take place in the early autumn.

 

National Coordinators of Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, accompanied by colleagues from EU Commission, Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme and the Baltic Sea Strategy Point.