Welcome to find support for water protection!
Welcome to finding information, examples and practical tips for water protection!
Tools for water protection is a web-based toolbox providing support for implementing water protection actions at local level. It is designed for professionals and experts who do concrete work, strategic planning or make decisions on water protection in cities, municipalities, companies, NGOs or other organisations. The Toolbox provides information and tools that assist with water protection. In addition to practical tips, tools and background information, in the Bank of Actions you can browse actions that local organisations have already implemented for the protection of local waters and the Baltic Sea – and you can also share your organisation’s own actions! This site was established in 2015 by the EU Life+ funded project CITYWATER, in collaboration with the Baltic Sea Challenge. The first tools are based on the results of the CITYWATER project. The site is now managed and updated by the Baltic Sea Challenge. More tools and actions are needed – please contact us and tell us about your ideas! Read more on page About us!
The Baltic Sea Challenge
Action at the local level is the key! Join the network and find ideas, examples, best practices and possibilities for collaboration.
Communication strategy
Find tips and guidelines on how to communicate the benefits of water protection efficiently to get your message through!
Cost-benefit analysis
Learn how the benefits of water protection can be assessed and compared to the costs of implementation!
Storm water solutions
Considering implementing sustainable storm water solutions? Read about solutions, tips and recommendations for practical work!
EXAMPLES OF WATER PROTECTION ACTIONS
Find inspiration and ideas in water protection actions implemented by the Baltic Sea Challenge network.
Browse the Bank of Actions!
Agriculture
Awareness raising
Hazardous materials
Littering etc.
Oil spill prevention
Research and monitoring
Shipping and boating
Stormwater management
Strategies and programs
Wastewater management
Other
Drainage basin
International events
Actor: City of Helsinki / CITYWATER (EU Life+ project) ● Year: 2015 ● Address: Viikinkaari 2 Helsinki, Finland
Networking and meeting face to face is an important part of the Baltic Sea Challenge activities. 
Description
Networking opportunities is an important part of what the Baltic Sea Challenge offers the partners of the network. It gives experts an opportunity to meet face to face, which is still, despite new possibilities of online interaction, the most effective way of learning and contact making.
Since the BSC network was established in 2007, numerous events have been held around the Baltic Sea region. For example, in 2014 and 2015 two big networking events were organised in Helsinki and Tallinn. The “Cities Forum” in Helsinki 2014 was arranged back to back with the official opening of the Gulf of Finland Year 2014 and focused on what cities can do, giving tools for water protection. It applied a cost-benefit perspective on four themes: storm waters, waste water reception in ports, food, and waste water treatment plants.
The “Baltic Sea Forum” in Tallinn 2015 was a whole day seminar arranged as part of the Estonian Municipality days, and there were participants from all around the Baltic Sea region. On the agenda were challenges in municipal water protection work, and tools were brought up including an environmental communication strategy for the three Baltic States; a cost-benefit perspective on water protection, and networking. Several Baltic Sea Challenge partners also had the opportunity to present their actions, and along the day participants took part in lively discussions and group work.
Both networking events were organized by the Life+ financed CITYWATER project in collaboration with the Baltic Sea Challenge network.
The Baltic Sea Challenge also participates in events organised by other organisations. In addition to the international work, the network is working actively in Finland where it was established.
Benefits
The Cities Forum and Baltic Sea Forum are examples of Baltic Sea Challenge events that bring together a variety of actors including municipalities and cities, organizations and associations, ministries, waste water companies, foundations, international organizations and universities. The events connect experts – the ones actually doing grass root work, presenting their experience to their corresponding colleagues, in order to bring about change and new ideas in working procedures and established practices. In addition to this, the events have brought together both big and small organizations as well as actors from the coast and from inland.
Taken together, experiences from the past years have shown that the Baltic Sea Challenge provides an excellent platform for cooperation, networking, exchange of ideas and working models.
Background information
The Baltic Sea Challenge network was established in 2007 by the mayors of the Cities of Helsinki and Turku. Since then, the network has organized numerous events in the Baltic Sea region. Partly resulting from these events there have been several projects under the umbrella of the network, for example Cities for a healthier sea (2010-2012, EU Central Baltic Interreg financed), CITYWATER (2012-2015, EU Life+ financed) and Östersjöutmaningen möter Sverige (2014-2015, financed by Ålandsbanken and the City of Turku).
Further information
Name: Lotta Ruokanen ● Email: lotta.ruokanen (a) hel.fi ● Web page: http://www.itamerihaaste.net/en
