Sixth Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
Sixth Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 29-30 January 2013 in Riga. Read more
Pan-Baltic stakeholder's workshops organized by PartiSEApate project
To ensure sustainable and integrated planning across the BSR PartiSEApate project will focus on engaging transnational, national and regional bodies as well as sectors and researchers in a series of dialogues on a pan-Baltic level.
Through these workshops, stakeholders will gain an understanding of what MSP means to them and why it is important to treat certain topics on a transnational level. Planners will in turn get an insight into their priorities, objectives, expectations, fears and hopes. Initial workshops will be devoted to only one sector/topic each, so as to focus the discussions. Read more
Procurement procedure for provision of expert services for „PartiSEApate” project announced
Latvian State Regional Development Agency has announced procurement procedure for the provision of expert services for the needs of the PartiSEApate project.
We are looking for expert for development of Concept for a transnational institutional and governance model on transnational coordination, agreements and data exchange in MSP and Recommendations for transnational MSP. Read more
Fifth Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
Fifth Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 13-14 September 2012 in Helsinki. Read more
Multi-level Governance in MSP (Maritime Spatial Planning) throughout the Baltic Sea Region - PartiSEApate
The bodies responsible and/or actually drafting MSP throughout the BSR have joined forces in new Baltic Sea Region programme project PartiSEApate. Project partners will test and develop instruments/models on how multi-level governance mechanisms can be realized in MSP within three pilot case areas: a) Pomeranian Bight (SE, DE, PL); b) Lithuanian Sea (LT, LV, SE, RU); c) Middle Bank (SE, PL). Read more
Report of the Joint HELCOM/VASAB, OSPAR and ICES Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Case Studies of MSP
Joint HELCOM/VASAB, OSPAR and ICES Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Case Studies of Maritime Spatial Planning (WKMCMSP) took place on 2-4 November 2011 in Lisbon, Portugal. Report of the Workshop is available here.
BSR-TeMo - Territorial Monitoring for the Baltic Sea Region
The first workshop of the ESPON project BSR-TeMo took place on 21 June 2012 in Potsdam. VASAB has initiated the project and VASAB CSPD serves as a Steering Committee for the project.
BSR-TeMo promotes territorial development and cohesion in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) by developing an indicator based monitoring system. The monitoring system will measure the progress in achieving economic, social and territorial cohesion in the BSR by using indicators at different scales. This will contribute to increased knowledge and understanding of territorial cohesion processes in the BSR. Geographically the whole of the BSR, EU as well as none EU-member States, is covered. Read more
VASAB provides opinion on two EU proposals
On 17 April 2012 VASAB CSPD/BSR welcomed the proposal of the European Commission on the future Community Structural Funds and Common Strategic Framework – see here
On 25 May 2012 VASAB CSPD/BSR welcomed the proposal of the European Commission on the future development of the trans-European transport network – see here. The VASAB opinion was based on the background research paper – see here
VASAB supports BaltSeaPlan Vision 2030
On 19 March 2012, VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region has acknowledged the BaltSeaPlan Vision 2030. More information: press release
VASAB actively involved in implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
The Strategy (EUSBSR) has several Horizontal Actions (HA) focused on specific aspects in order to respond to the regional needs. VASAB is HA leader of two actions.
HA “Develop and complete Land-based Spatial Planning”
This HA ensures coherence between actions and maintaining an integrated approach. Without a clear picture of the region, and an awareness of sensitive areas, population and economic pressures and other factors, sustainable development is not feasible.
The major contribution on the development of land-based spatial planning is the elaboration of the „Long Term Perspective for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region” (LTP). The LTP was adopted by the VASAB 7th Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region in 2009. The LTP is in line with the Territorial Agenda of the EU and it complements the EUSBSR with regard to more detailed objectives and actions concerning territorial cohesion and development of the BSR. The LTP concentrates on issues which require transnational solutions such as urban networking and urban-rural cooperation, improving external and internal accessibility as well as development of maritime spatial planning. It should be taken into account by Priority Area Coordinators with regard to spatial objectives, conditions and impacts of their actions.
As part of the implementation process of the EUSBSR, the LTP is currently being implemented through a number of short-medium and long-term actions together with other stakeholders of the Region.
HA “Encourage the use of Maritime Spatial Planning in all Member States around the Baltic Sea and develop a common approach for cross-border cooperation”
Horizontal Action Leaders of this HA are jointly VASAB and HELCOM. The HA has a task to develop a maritime spatial planning (MSP) system for the Baltic Sea based on the ecosystem approach. Increased activities in the Baltic Sea lead to competition for limited marine space between sectoral interests, such as shipping and maritime transport, offshore energy, ports development, fisheries and aquaculture in addition to environmental concerns. MSP is a key tool for improved decision-making that balances sectoral interests and contributes to achieving sustainable use of marine areas to benefit economic development as well as the marine environment. BaltSeaPlan and Plan Bothnia projects are the key preparatory actions to test the implementation of MSP in a cross-border context.
A joint co-chaired MSP Working Group was launched in October 2010 by HELCOM and VASAB to ensure cooperation among the BSR countries for coherent regional MSP processes in the Baltic Sea.
Detailed information about EUSBSR is available here: www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu
Fourth Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
Fourth Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 7-8 February 2012 in Riga. More information: agenda; presentations; minutes.
PLAN BOTHNIA Baltic Sea Region Stakeholder Meeting
PLAN BOTHNIA Baltic Sea Region Stakeholder Meeting will took place on 6 February 2012 in Monika Centrum Hotels, Elizabetes street 21, Riga, Latvia.
More information: agenda; presentations; photos.
 Co-Financed Under European Integrated Maritime Policy
Third Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
Third Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 28-29 September 2011 in Helsinki. More information: agenda; presentations; minutes.
 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of 11 Baltic Sea Region countries appreciate work of VASAB
The Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) consisting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of 11 Baltic Sea Region countries and a member of the European Union at the 16th Ministerial Session on 7 June 2011 in Oslo have noted with appreciation the work of VASAB and HELCOM on maritime spatial planning and the adoption of the Baltic Sea Broad-Scale Maritime Spatial Planning Principles.
See attached Declaration of the 16th CBSS Ministerial Session: Declaration
Procurement procedure for provision of expert services for „Plan Bothnia” project announced
Latvian State Regional Development Agency has announced procurement procedure for the provision of expert services for „Plan Bothnia” project, for study on “Region-wide recommendations on minimum requirements for MSP systems”. Read more
 VASAB Annual Conference
VASAB Annual Conference “Integrated Approach to Spatial Development of Europe – Meaning of Territorial Cohesion” took place in Warsaw, Poland on 7-8 February 2011. More information>
Presentations
Conclusions
Second Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
Second Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 20-21 January 2011 in Riga. More information: agenda; presentations; minutes.
VASAB becomes a full member of the CBSS family
On 17 November 2010 the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) “accepted placing VASAB under the CBSS umbrella”. The CBSS decision concluded a process of re-defining cooperation framework between the CBSS and VASAB, initiated by the CBSS Elsinore Declaration of 4 June 2009 and appreciated by the VASAB Vilnius Declaration of 16 October 2009.
The CBSS decision would mean VASAB being a network closely connected to the CBSS. In order to achieve more synergies between the two organisations VASAB will regularly exchange information with the CBSS and its family members. For example, a CBSS representative will be invited to participate in all CSPD/BSR meetings. Nevertheless, VASAB will remain independent in terms of the budgeting, reporting and having a secretariat.
The CBSS is an overall political forum for regional inter-governmental cooperation. The Members of the Council are the eleven states of the Baltic Sea Region as well as the European Commission. The states are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and a representative from the European Commission.
The Council consists of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs from each Member State and a member of the European Commission. The role of the Council is to serve as a forum for guidance and overall coordination among the participating states. The foreign minister of the presiding country is responsible for coordinating the Council’s activities and is assisted in this work by the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO).
For many years VASAB has been the strategic partner of the CBSS.
More information about the CBSS can be found at www.cbss.org
Joint VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group Meeting
First Joint VASAB-HELCOM MSP WG Meeting took place on 21-22 October 2010 in Helsinki. More information: Minutes; Press release
VASAB Expert Workshop "Urban-Rural Partnerships in the Baltic Sea Region"
VASAB Expert Workshop took place on 21 September 2010 in Minsk, Belarus. Information about the workshop:
- New possibilities of development of rural settlements of Belarus. Experience of creation of "agrogorodki", Valentina Nazaruk, Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Belarus
- Expectations from VASAB (Urban-rural partnerships and VASAB -Long Term Perspective), Wilfried Görmar, VASAB CSPD/BSR member
- Urban-rural divide and partnership in Europe from the perspective of European Commission/ EU BSR, Jean Peyrony, DG Regio
- Demonstration project “Surpraregional partnership in Germany”, Rupert Kawka, The Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning
- Establishing New Urban-Rural Partnerships: Regional and Individual Approaches , Petri Kahila, Nordregio
- NSR Interreg project ”URBAL” - URBan and ruRAL Development Reaching a balance in space, Rolf Oldejans, Municipality of Enschede, Netherland
- Urban-rural interactions – Finnish experience, Petri Kahila, Nordregio
- New interdependencies of Helsinki and rural Finland - some policy experiences, Pekka M. Sauri, BaltMet, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki
Pictures
List of participants
VASAB Expert and Stakeholder Meeting on Demographic Trends and Labor Market Development
VASAB expert and stakeholder meeting took place on 8 June 2010 in Kaunas, Lithuania. More information about the meeting:
Mission for VASAB co-operation - Challenges for spatial policies
VASAB - Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea - is an intergovernmental network of 11 countries of the Baltic Sea Region promoting cooperation on spatial planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region. 
VASAB has a vision for a sustainable, balanced and harmonious spatial development in the Baltic Sea Region. VASAB objective is to help realize this vision with ideas and knowledge.
VASAB is creating a forum for discussing spatial framework of the Region. Spatial planning is increasingly acknowledged as an interactive, interdisciplinary and democratic instrument to promote sustainable and balanced spatial development and cohesion in the Baltic Sea Region. It is an effective tool for national governments and Pan-Baltic organisations to promote the spatial integration and competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region.
EU enlargement is having considerable spatial impacts on the whole region. Therefore, co-operation in the framework of VASAB can help define the main spatial development needs for integration of the BSR territory and to initiate necessary action. Special attention must be paid to impacts caused by regional disparities between the "old" and "new" EU member states and their neighbouring countries and regions, such as North-Western Russia and regions of Belarus and co-operation should be intensified.
VASAB focuses its work on the following issues:
- Preparation of a long term perspective for the spatial development of the Baltic Sea Region;
- Active influence on the preparation and the implementation of Baltic programmes for trans-national and cross-border territorial co-operation;
- Active participation in the European process of territorial cohesion;
- Stimulate and support projects that create model solutions in addressing common social, economical and ecological trends that have significant spatial effects;
- Initiate and organize an exchange of knowledge and expertise on innovative spatial planning and development approaches, and to present and discuss these in international fora.
VASAB Long Term Perspective for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region till 2030
 VASAB 7th Ministerial Conference on 16 October 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania has endorsed the new VASAB Long Term Perspective. The Ministers underlined that during present times, new common responsibilities and challenges have emerged which call for deeper pan-Baltic co-operation on spatial planning and development and integration of spatial development policies into all relevant sectors. The present economic restructuring has different effects in different places. Place-based planning and development policies have to react on that. There is a growing understanding that the Baltic Sea itself is in urgent need of maritime spatial planning. The new Long Term Perspective for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region (LTP) is an effort to define important challenges with a trans-national relevance and to illustrate how to deal with them.
Spatial planning is more than ever a cross- sectoral exercise and therefore in clear need of involvement of many actors. The array of actions in the LTP can only be identified, decided upon and implemented in close co-operation with other pan-Baltic organisations and partners from public as well as private sector. Common efforts are needed to fulfil them. Therefore, the LTP invites pan-Baltic organisations, institutions as well as national and regional authorities to co-operate in a transparent and efficient way.
VASAB Long Term Perspective is available for download here.
In order to learn opinions of relevant regional stakeholders on 21 April 2009 VASAB organized stakeholder seminar in Riga, Latvia. Representatives of the EU Commission, HELCOM, CBSS and other organizations and member states discussed policy guidelines and specific actions to achieve territorial cohesion perspective. Presentations of the seminar are available here.
The LTP policy document and background document as well as analytical reports of VASAB working groups that served as a basis for LTP are available here.
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