BSR-NOVA

Baltic Sea Region Network of Volunteer Organisations and Authorities (BSR-NOVA).

About

The Baltic Sea Region Network of Volunteer Organisations and Authorities (BSR-NOVA) is a platform established to improve coordination and cooperation among volunteer organisations and authorities at the national and international level in the field of civil protection. The network is established based on the groundwork laid by the subgroup of volunteers and local actors. This subgroup was initiated by Finland under the EUSBSR Policy Area Secure and CBSS Civil Protection Network.

BSR-NOVA aims to revolutionise how volunteers and authorities collaborate in times of crisis. Its primary goal is to build a strong network where civil society and authorities can unite in preparation for crises, ranging from natural disasters to humanitarian emergencies. By providing a platform that connects civil society, government agencies, and citizens, the network seeks to increase international cooperation and joint preparedness, offering new tools, data, and policy guidance for civil protection.

In a significant step toward enhancing crisis resilience and civil protection, the BSR-NOVA was officially launched on 5 September 2024.

Objectives

The main objectives of the BSR-NOVA are:

  • To serve as a platform to enhance practical international cooperation and joint preparedness among authorities, volunteer organisations and citizens in the field of civil protection;
  • To act as a source of ideas, tools, reliable data and information, analysis, and policy guidance on issues related to civil protection;
  • To increase the appeal of volunteering including among youth and promote the culture of volunteerism in the Baltic Sea Region;
  • To promote the role/mission of volunteers and share information on relevant international and regional standards relating to voluntary work in civil protection;
  • To engage with various stakeholders, including state authorities, civil society, local authorities and communities, the private sector, academia, and other relevant stakeholders, utilising and creating synergies with other existing mechanisms at all levels.

Working principles

In its work, the network is guided by the following principles:

  • Human rights-based, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approach: The network upholds and advocates the laws and principles to respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of all people.
  • Unity of purpose: All members of the network are jointly committed to its success, placing emphasis on the added value of their coordinated work and of collaborating to achieve common goals.
  • Inclusivity: The network, in its own working methods and in engaging others, operates in an inclusive, systematic, predictable and trans-
    parent manner.
  • Results-oriented: The network focuses on supporting the CBSS Member States towards strengthening their resilience and active involvement of volunteers in civil protection.

Structure

BSR-NOVA is chaired by the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) and coordinated by the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS).

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) coordinates the activities of the network. The network Coordinators bear primary responsibility for acting as a Secretariat for the network.

The network’s Chair is elected by the network’s members for a 2-year period with a possibility of reelection. Any member can become Chair of the network after one year of active and regular participation in the network. The Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) is a chair of the Network till February 2026.

Documents

Members

The network consists of different volunteer organisations, civil protection authorities, universities, and international organisations from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine.

Contact

  • Vineta Polatside, Senior Adviser for Safe and Secure Region Priority, Phone: +46 70 232 04 94, Email: [email protected]

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