PSF 2023 Call

The Member States of the CBSS have emphasised the deteriorating security situation in the region and the increasing impact of climate change, affecting the life and health of the population, the environment, and the economy. The ability of all communities and individuals to identify the sources and impacts of threats, plan for adaptation and reduce exposure and vulnerability to state and societal risks, including those resulting from climate change, and develop practical solutions is crucial for the safety and security of society. As the impacts of different factors, including climate change, disrupt the natural, economic, and social systems that we depend on, the objective of the call is connected to the work in all three CBSS long-term priorities:    

1. “Safe and Secure Region” aims to make everyone feel safe and secure in every corner of our region by strengthening the civil security, preventing exploitation, and protecting the most vulnerable individuals in the Baltic Sea region and reinforcing the importance of cross-border and cross-disciplinary cooperation.  
2. “Sustainable and Prosperous Region” supports viable and resilient societies, with particular attention to the adaptation to climate change and its impacts on communities and ecosystems, as well as ensuring environmentally friendly, sustainable economic and social development.  
3. “Regional Identity” aims to foster social inclusion through creative cultural, high education and youth initiatives. The social cohesion this generates is the cornerstone on which the other priority areas rest, for we recognise that when connected through a strong sense of cultural identity, future leaders are better equipped to address complex challenges in ways that benefit society as a whole. 

With the climate – along with other risk factors – becoming increasingly variable, unpredictable, and extreme weather events more likely to happen, affecting communities at all levels, a whole-of-society involvement, innovative and sustainable partnerships as well as inclusive approaches integrating also vulnerable communities in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction at the national and local levels are needed.   

Strategic documents supported:  CBSS Vilnius II Declaration, CBSS Action plan 2021-2025, Oslo Declaration on Regional Cooperation in the Civil Protection Network, a Joint Position on Enhancing Cooperation in Civil Protection Area, Children at Risk Regional Strategy 2021-2025, Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings Strategy 2020-2025, UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

Thematic area of the call  

• Managing increasing risks from climate change and other safety-related factors and building more resilient communities by encouraging integrated approaches, and innovative, multidisciplinary, cross-societal partnerships, and inclusion ofmarginalised and vulnerable groups. 

Scope of the activities  

• Developing and extending cooperation between national, regional, and local governments, civil society organisations, volunteer organisations, researchers, practitioners and policy makers from different sectors and levels in managing increasing risks from climate change.  

• Establishing a meeting point for the exchange of best implementation practices.  

• Training and capacity building for national and local actors to identify, assess and manage the impacts on societies and ecosystems of the climate change threats.  

• Establishing and maintaining sustainable and inclusive programmes, developing practical measures, cooperation models and tools to protect all groups of the society from the consequences of various risk factors, including climate change, and involve in building more resilient communities.   

• Other integrated and innovative approaches to promoting the objectives of this call.