Strengthening impact through cooperation in the Central Baltic region
This week, Marta Barone and Kristīne Plinta from the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology represented the Clean Beach project at the Interreg Central Baltic Programme conference “Navigating Towards Impact” in Stockholm.
The conference brought together project managers, researchers, policymakers, and programme representatives to discuss how cross-border cooperation can create lasting change for communities across the Central Baltic region.
One of the key messages throughout the event was that projects should not only deliver outputs, but also generate measurable outcomes and long-term impact. As highlighted by several speakers, real change often becomes visible only after a project has ended, making sustainability, visibility and future uptake essential considerations from the very beginning.
Discussions also emphasized the growing importance of digital solutions, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and accessible technologies that place citizens at the centre of development. For projects such as Clean Beach, which combines citizen engagement, environmental monitoring, and digital tools through the ROSGIS application, these priorities strongly resonate with our ongoing work.
Another recurring theme was the need to strengthen cross-border collaboration and ensure that project results can be replicated, adapted and scaled across different regions. Participants highlighted that even small projects can create significant value when they respond to clear regional needs and are built on strong partnerships.
The future of the Central Baltic region was discussed through three interconnected priorities:
– Increasing prosperity
– Saving the sea
– Connecting the region
As noted during the conference, these objectives cannot be achieved separately. Building resilient, competitive and sustainable societies requires cooperation across sectors, countries, and communities.
The event also provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences with other project teams, discuss common challenges, explore future collaboration opportunities, and contribute ideas for the next generation of Central Baltic projects.
We return with new insights, valuable connections and renewed motivation to continue developing practical solutions that support cleaner beaches, stronger citizen participation and healthier coastal environments.
