This knowledge gathering process led to the foundation choosing Fish and Eutrophication as its focus areas. With the end of the knowledge gathering phase in 2007, the scientific council and the WWF relinquished the right to appoint board members. In 2008 professor Henning Rhode left the board and professors Per Larsson and Fredrik Wulff were voted in. In each established area of expertise the foundation has since granted funding for research projects (establishing knowledge), applied projects (testing new and established knowledge) and media and advocacy projects (spreading knowledge, informing and influencing decision-makers and the general public).

The aim of the foundation’s projects is that they should work to ensure that meaningful action is taken which in all probability is good and almost certainly is not negative for the Baltic Sea.

Key Events 2008

The financial year 2008 was a year of changes for the foundation. A new organisation was put in place and a new executive director appointed, Conrad Stralka. The focus area Fish was influential, with the foundation working actively to influence and spread awareness of the quota process for cod fishing. Several scientific reports were produced by the foundation and a major project was carried out in autumn 2008 with the aim of influencing decision-makers in the region and in Brussels. The result was that for the first time politicians reached decisions in line with scientific advice for 2009 fishing quotas.

In the focus area Eutrophication, an important study was carried out by professor Daniel Conley with the aim of establishing whether it is possible to oxygenate the open seas of the Baltic by mechanical means. The study found that this is not possible. However, the board granted funding to investigate whether this can be achieved in coastal regions. 2008 also saw the start of a major collaboration project with the John Nurminen Foundation with the aim of further increasing phosphorus removal at Polish waste water treatment plants.

Besides these projects, the foundation has structured and professionalised its information channels and working methods. Today, in selected circles, the foundation is known as a sound and independent cooperation and discussion partner.

Grants, capital management and board

Since the foundation started its work in 2006, the board has passed decisions on grants amounting to SEK 82 million for projects on eutrophication, fish and media/advocacy. As at 29 May 2009 a total of 37 projects have been initiated, 20 of which have been completed and 17 of which are still in progress.

 
In 2008 a total of SEK 26.9 million was granted to 8 projects.
- Focus area Fish:  4 projects, total: SEK 14.3 million, approx. SEK 11 million paid out
- Focus area Eutrophication: 3 projects, total: SEK 10.8 million, approx. SEK 2 million paid out
- Focus area Media & Advocacy: 1 project, total: SEK 1.8 million, approx. SEK 2 million paid out

The foundation’s investment policy has proved successful. In 2006 and half of 2007 approximately 60% was invested in unit trusts and 40% in interest-bearing investments. From August 2007 to December 2008 largely all the capital was invested in treasury bills. The foundation’s capital in the first three years has increased from SEK 500 million to approximately SEK 570 million. During the same period, the foundation has paid out grants and had administrative costs amounting to approximately SEK 60 million.

Board

Baltic Sea 2020’s board comprises seven members as follows: Björn Carlson (chair), Marie Berglund, Lasse Gustavsson, Sten Gustavsson, Per Larsson, Bo Lehander and Fredrik Wulff. In 2008 the board met six times.

Grants awarded

Divided between the foundation’s three focus areas grants were awarded as follows: (37 projects)

Focus area “Media and Advocacy”

Since 2006 the foundation has granted SEK 18 million to 6 projects (SEK 15.6 million of which is in two ongoing projects). To read more about our Media & Advocacy projects, please click here.

Comments – Media & Advocacy

The foundation’s main commitment is Folke Rydén and Mathias Klum’s 10-year project, which in an innovative way will raise the awareness of the 90 million people living around the Baltic of the threats and opportunities faced by this landlocked sea. The first delivery of a documentary, a website and training material will be made in August 2009. The production has so far been sold to 8 TV channels in the region.

Focus area “Fishery”

Since 2006 the foundation has granted SEK 35.6 million to 14 projects (SEK 17.1 million of which is in five ongoing projects). To read more about our Fishery projects, please click here.  

Comments – Fishery

In 2007 several projects were initiated aimed at clarifying the role of fish and fishing in the Baltic and how management in the region and in the EU works. Subsequently the projects have tended to be more oriented towards concrete action and advocacy to improve knowledge of fish in general and cod in particular. Ahead of autumn 2009 extensive initiatives are planned to spread information on the role of fish as an environmental catalyst in the Baltic. These initiatives relate to the Swedish EU presidency and the Baltic Sea Strategy and the reform, now underway, of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Focus area “Eutrophication”

Since 2006 the foundation has granted SEK 28.7 million to 17 projects (SEK 22.2 million of which is in seven ongoing projects). To read more about our Eutrophication projects, please click here.

Comments – Eutrophication

Several of the scientific projects in the eutrophication focus area have helped to develop and shape the foundation’s position in the field of eutrophication and associated fields. Examples include “Nitrogen fertilisation of forests” and Daniel Conley’s “Ecological Engineering” project which investigated whether it is possible to oxygenated open seas by mechanical means.

Two interesting projects have recently started in this focus area. The “Environmental mussels” project aims to turn mussel farming into a cost-effective environmental measure to improve the quality of coastal waters in the Baltic, and the project “Measures to reduce phosphorus leakage from arable land (joint project with IVL)” examines the phosphorus reduction potential and cost efficiency of introducing ditched dams and ditch filters in Baltic agriculture. Studies of the literature have shown that almost 30–40% of agricultural leakage could be prevented by this method.

PRESS CONTACT:

Maria Maandi, Information and events, Baltic Sea 2020, +46 (0)8-673 97 64, +46 (0)707 50 23 36, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it