BalticSeaNow.info- Innovative participatory forum for the Baltic Sea
BalticSeaNow.info in a seashell BalticSeaNow.info project is a broadly-based expression of a common will to protect the Baltic Sea. The project develops and introduces innovative communication tools to foster information sharing and discussion about the Baltic Sea environment. Open source thinking in environmental discussion & research : discussion groups, think tanks
BalticSeaNow.info: project background The alarming state of the Baltic Sea Joint and determined actions needed The need to increase public awareness and involvement has been acknowledged but is still almost neglected, discussion is institutionalized Baltic Survey: people are worried about the state of the Baltic Sea -> shortage of proper channels for public participation Sensitization, information Awareness Commitment, desire to act
Background The need for public dicussion and involvement Many enviromental policy programmes emphasize the need for public participation and engagement Consensus -type of action where different interest groups seek jointly solutions for enviromental problems: also views of the general public are valued Individual citzens can make a difference by: Choosing wisely in their everday life Affecting decision makers Science communication: democracy, need for information in navigating in the complex world and making own choices, decision making should be based on scientific/tested results
Project outputs a versatile, multifunctional and participatory webforum, channels for the general public to submit their environmental observations to, a series of events and exhibitions organized in participating countries, a new curricula focusing on the state and future of the Baltic Sea, educational materials on the state and future of the sea,
WP2: Web portal Basic information News & articles (nature, environment, environmental policy) Dicussion groups, think tanks (BalticWiki) Blogs & video portraits Environmental observation of the public (flora&fauna, algae, transparency) Geo-tagged photos Video clips of the public, BalticSeaTube
WP2: Web portal, cont. Stories and memories Online & other data produced by authorities and research institutions Web cameras Interactive games, quizzes and questionnaires Protection tips
WP3: Materials and events Brochures and leaflets Baltic Sea market tours: a bigger event in every country with a general concept in autumn 2011 Visit to research vessels (Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn, Sweden) Other events: public lecturers, excursions, panel discussions, e.g. Baltic Sea goes to the pub discussions Circulating exhibitions
What are we aiming to achieve? Increased environmental awareness of the state of the Baltic Sea and actions needed to improve its ecological status Increased public involvement to the work for the better future of the Baltic Sea New approaches and tools for environmental discussion and participation to be transferred and utilised in other contexts Identification of good practices in public involvement Improved dialogue between science and the public in Baltic Sea issues
What are we aiming to achieve?, cont. Better understanding of the possibilities social media and other web-based, open source approaches offer for environmental discussion and participation Exchange of information and good practices between accompanying countries, institutions and actors.
BalticSeaNow.info: project structure BalticSeaNow.info Innovative participatory forum for the Baltic Sea (BalticSeaNow.info) CB9 Sub-Programme: Central Baltic Programme Budget: 1 281 735 Euro Duration: 1.11.2009-31.10.2012 Financing: ERDF funding 78,50 % National Public 21,50 % Management: Turku University of Applied Sciences, Lead partner
BalticSeaNow.info: partners Finland Turku University of Applied Sciences Lead partner Keep the Archipelago Tidy Assoc. Sweden SMHI, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute Estonia Marine Sytems Institute, Tallinn University of Technology Estonian Fund for Nature Latvia Environmental Projects Ltd.
BalticSeaNow.info: additional partners Finnish Environmental Research Institute (SYKE) Archipelago Research Institute, University of Turku Union of Baltic Cities, UBC The Baltic Sea Challenge, cities of Turku and Helsinki Finnish Meteorological Institute / Marine research Baltic Sea Action Group?
Contact: Martti Komulainen Katariina Kiviluoto Project manager Project coordinator martti.komulainen@turkuamk.fi katariina.kiviluoto@turkuamk.fi Tel. +358-44-9072076 Tel. +358-40-3550907