ABOUT BIOECONOMY IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION

The Nordic Council of Ministers is taking a leadership in the Action Plan for the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to propel cooperation within the bioeconomy.

The EUSBSR provides the structure and platform for the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers in reducing the bottlenecks and realising bioeconomy opportunities in the Baltic Sea macro-region. ‘Bioeconomy is one of 13 Policy Areas of the EUSBSR Action Plan. The Nordic Council of Ministers acts as Priority Area Coordinator, together with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In this capacity the Nordic Council of Ministers provides an access point and support function for stakeholders that wish to pursue bioeconomy cooperation activities that support overall objectives of the EUSBSR, namely Save the Sea, Increase Prosperity and Connect the Region. During 2012-15 bioeconomy cooperation efforts took place within the Horizontal Action “Sustainable Development and Bioeconomy” jointly led by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
For more information please go to: www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu

Action Plan Objectives and Policy Areas of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR)

The bioeconomy
The Baltic Sea Region has the potential to become one of the world's leading regions in green growth and sustainable development. The region has well-developed infrastructure, technological and environmental knowledge and a large concentration of biomass. Last but not least, relevant actors in the region acknowledge a common responsibility and the need for close cooperation between research institutions, regional, national and local authorities and the business sector in order to face these challenges.

The EUs Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) consists of 13 policy areas, divided on three priorities. Bioeconomy is one of the 13 policy areas. The Nordic Council of Ministers leads the work on the bioeconomy together with partners from Finland, Sweden and Lithuanian. In this capacity the Nordic Council of Ministers provides an access point and support function for stakeholders that wish to pursue bioeconomy cooperation activities that support overall objectives of the EUSBSR.
At the Nordic Council of Ministers, the policy area Bioeconomy is placed within the Council of Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Nordic Council of Ministers
Contact person:
Katrin Vilhelm Poulsen: katpou@norden.org
Torfi Johannesson: torjoh@norden.org

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
Contact person:
Dalia Miniataite: dalia.miniataite@zum.lt

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland
Contact person:
Leena Anttila: leena.anttila@mmm.fi

The Swedish Board of Agriculture
Contact person:
Fredric Nilsson: Fredric.Nilsson@jordbruksverket.se