PSF 2022 Call

The development of sustainable processes and networks aimed at taking forward the ideas in the Vilnius II Declaration – A Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2030 and relevant parts of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Vision Statement beyond 2030.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) through its Project Support Facility invites all eligible actors in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) to apply for grants for the implementation of small-scale, community based or profession/expert-based projects. The projects shall emphasise the development of sustainable processes and networks aimed at taking forward the ideas in the Vilnius II Declaration – A Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2030 and relevant parts of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Vision Statement beyond 2030. Project proposals should include eligible partners in at least three CBSS member countries. We welcome proposals with the participation of partners from the CBSS observer states and also proposals involving young people as project actors.

The Vilnius II Declaration was adopted on 1 June 2021 by the Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the European Union. The Declaration builds on the three Long Term Priorities of the CBSS and is underpinned by the CBSS Action Plan 2021-25. CBSS members commit themselves to increased cooperation and development of the BSR, practically within all areas of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

In preparation of the ministerial meeting representatives of young people in the BSR, using the Baltic Sea Youth Platform as a “meeting place”, adopted the Youth Vision Statement Beyond 2030 which was presented to the participants in the meeting.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our societies across populations in many ways. Despite the pandemic, many people, including young people in the BSR are looking positively to the future and want to play an active role in supporting the aims and vision represented by the Vilnius II Declaration. This vision could not come at a more important time. Brave ideas, effective cooperation and implementation are needed to build a more coherent and resilient region after the COVID-19 crisis, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to ensure effective green and digital transition.

CBSS Long-Term Priority “Safe & Secure Region”

The Vilnius II Declaration emphasises cooperation aimed at strengthening societal security in broad terms, including cooperation among emergency services, cooperation to combat trafficking in human beings and cooperation aimed at protecting the rights of vulnerable children or children at risk. CBSS objectives are also closely linked to the goal of combatting international organised crime and other threats to civil security and the well-being of communities and people, and the need to build resilience against crises in many fields. Our communities continue to be threatened by the Covid pandemic, aggravated by vaccination hesitancy in many parts of the population. Most likely, vaccine reluctancy will continue to be present in our societies also when the effects of the Covid pandemic have abated, covering also traditional infectious diseases. This, in combination with a possibly increasing scepticism and disinformation with regard to facts or scientifically based information, challenges our societies’ ability to deal with various emergency situations which threaten life, health and the environment in the BSR.

  • Drawing on this background, we are looking for project proposals that are directed at increasing the level of health protection among the population, by promoting information about public access to free vaccines, and by counteracting vaccine hesitancy based on misinformation, misconception or the lack of relevant scientifically based information about benefits and risks and by disseminating knowledge-based & reliable information about vaccines.
  • Additionally, we are looking for project proposals aimed at cooperation directed towards enhanced societal security in broad terms, increasing resilience and reducing people’s vulnerability to hazards. Project proposals should aim at building agency and capacity to identify, assess, prevent and address various threats, including in the area of climate change, natural and human made disasters, but also in the area of crime against persons, including children and youth, domestic violence, sexual violence, online violence, and human trafficking and exploitation.

CBSS Long-Term Priority “Sustainable & Prosperous Region”

The Vilnius II Declaration emphasises cooperation for the implementation of the Baltic 2030 Action Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Climate issues are mainstreamed throughout CBSS activities, and the green and blue economy are central themes, based on innovation, job creation and strengthened competitiveness. The CBSS also maintains network-projects in the fields of science and labour cooperation.

  • Drawing on this background, we are looking for project proposals that focus on “Green Entrepreneurship”. Many successful start-ups and initiatives in the BSR, often led by young entrepreneurs, are showing the way forward to green innovation, energy transition, sustainable consumption and transitions in businesses, including the circular economy and industrial symbiosis’ approach. Projects should aim at helping and encouraging people, especially young people, to start up their own “green” and innovative business. Peer learning and good practice exchange across the BSR will be an asset of the proposed actions.
  • Additionally, we are looking for project proposals that are directed at reducing waste and the promotion of more sustainable consumption. This might include the promotion of reuse and repair, selection of more environmentally friendly products, how to reduce waste of food, water and energy in households and in the society at large, and counteracting unnecessary (over-) consumption which negatively affect the environment and peoples’ health.

CBSS Long-Term Priority “Regional Identity”

The Vilnius II Declaration emphasises an active civil society, vibrant and enhanced exchanges between people that help nurture a shared regional identity. CBBS cooperation aims at fostering unity and a sense of shared history, heritage and destiny in the BSR, with an emphasis on culture, cultural cooperation and networking in the field of higher education. The CBSS is also linked with the Baltic Sea NGO Network, but first and foremost the focus is on the involvement and participation of young people in cooperation processes in the BSR. We welcome projects promoting youth participation in rural areas, enabling social inclusion through cultural and creative activities and educational offers.

  • Drawing on this background we are looking for project proposals that present innovative and inclusive ideas concerning youth participation in shaping and preserving regional identities on a local level with a broad impact. We welcome project proposals that are directed at enhancing pride, gender equality and recognition of common heritage and identity, of regional and international cooperation and counteracting attitudes where especially children and young adults are drawn into an isolationist or chauvinist mood, or into criminal activities.
  • Additionally, proposals for projects promoting collaboration between local actors, authorities and higher education or research institutions to perform research on various economic, environmental or social topics pertaining to the BSR, including with regard to the issue of empowering youth and marginalised groups so that they are able to participate and be represented in a meaningful way in institutions and decision-making processes.

Call for applications

The CBSS Child Safeguarding Policy

The CBSS Secretariat and its Expert Units are fully committed to keeping children we come in contact with through our work protected and safeguarded from actions that may place them at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, injury and any other harm.

The CBSS Secretariat is committed to fund projects and work with partners that apply strict child safeguarding policies and procedures that cover the four key areas outlined in the Keeping Children Safe Child Safeguarding Standards. 

For projects involving children, we therefore require an organisational child protection/safeguarding policy, in the form of a mandatory annex to the application, for all partners that implement activities involving children.  The application should clearly indicate which partners will work directly with children in the context of the project.

  • For more information please read the CBSS PSF Manual which is available for download. 

PSF in Brief

  • Projects must involve partners from at least three CBSS Member States including a lead partner. 
  • The maximum amount of co-financing granted is 65 000 euros. 
  • The project proposals may be initiated by individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, associations and companies in the CBSS Member states, as well as members of CBSS Expert Groups and CBSS Networks. 
  • The granted projects should have the potential to become a basis for a network, partnership or cooperation model that would become viable beyond the duration of the project life itself.