Strategic ecosystem-based planning for sustainable future of the Baltic Sea

The aim of this project platform is to build on the outcomes of existing and previous projects to establish a regional framework for integrating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) within Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) across the Baltic Sea region. More specifically, the project platform aims to strengthen the role of MSP in promoting sustainable blue economy and enhancing the management of human activities at sea, as a key element of ecosystem-based approach. As a significant component of the SEA, the platform also aims to develop methodological recommendations for cumulative impact assessment (CIA) in transboundary context as core element of SEA in MSP. By synthesizing and validating prior SEA and CIA practices and recommendations, this platform will refine practical tools and guidelines to address transboundary challenges such as climate change, renewable energy expansion, and biodiversity conservation. Through collaborative workshops, capacity-building initiatives, and pilot applications, the project platform will leverage validated methodologies, ensure the long-term adoption of SEA and CIA, and enhance interoperability between assessment tools. Ultimately, this platform will enable more sustainable, resilient, and collaborative MSP processes across the region.

Main tasks of the Baltic Environmental Forum in project implementation:

• Coordination of the development of a regional framework for SEA in the maritime spatial planning process.
• Development of the SEA for the amendments to the Maritime Spatial Plan 2030 in cooperation with the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.
• Participation in the science–policy dialogue taking place within the project’s events, and ensuring better engagement of target groups in order to more effectively implement the ecosystem-based approach in maritime spatial planning.

The project consists of three work packages:

1. Work Package – Synthesis of previous project results: Compilation and evaluation of SEA practice in maritime spatial planning from previous projects; development of framework guidelines for the SEA procedure; integration of cumulative impact assessment principles into the MSP process; creation of a toolbox of the most suitable instruments to support the SEA process in maritime spatial planning; preparation of a catalogue of good practice examples.

2. Work Package – Knowledge improvement and practical application: Validation of the SEA framework; piloting the application of the CIA framework; use of the toolbox developed under WP1; provision of consultancy to improve the SEA process.

3. Work Package – Building dialogue and engagement with target groups: Science–policy dialogue on the use of the SEA framework in the maritime spatial planning process at both national and regional levels; capacity-building programme on the SEA procedure for the institutions responsible for maritime spatial planning.

The main Interreg programme projects whose results will be used in the implementation of SEABAS: Baltic LINes, Baltic Sea2Land, MSP4BIO, MSP-GREEN.