Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 Conference

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and on behalf of eleven participating countries around the Baltic Sea, the Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein as Joint Managing Authority had the pleasure of holding the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 Conference. 450 participants from 21 nations representing ministries, municipalities, cities, regions, counties and Baltic organisations gathered for this event that took place in Hamburg on 10-11 of May. The conference offered practical information about the future programme, its priorities and new project ideas.

The first day started with opening and welcome speeches. Presentations introducing territorial co-operation in Europe and the new Baltic Sea Programme 2007-2013 followed. Sessions on Lisbon Strategy and Gothenburg Process provided the background for the new programme. Participants also were introduced to the Territorial Agenda for Europe and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. A boat trip on the `Louisiana Star` with jazz music and lively discussions closed the first day.

On the second day participants absorbed an impact lecture on the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 and its ambitious goals and proceeded to the workshops. The most popular workshops were on `Fostering Innovations` and `Attractive and Competitive Cities and Regions`. In total more than 30 project ideas were presented and new partnerships were established. An exhibition of projects and organisations served as additional incentive for further networking.

We would like to thank all participants and speakers for their efforts and contribution to this event. Special thanks to our conference moderator Ann Irene Saeternes.

Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Ministry of Urban Development and Environment

in co-operation with

Managing Authority & Joint Secretariat
Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013

The Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 will support transnational projects working together for balanced and sustainable development of the European territory. The projects will foster innovations, improve accessibility of the region, build on the Baltic Sea as a common resource and improve the competitiveness of cities and regions. The programme will run under the European Territorial Co-operation Objective and will be part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), and the Kingdom of Norway.