1. Communication among partners during the preparation and implementation: Challenge, barriers, expectations…

2. Communication among partners during the preparation and implementation Stella Aaltonen, Project Coordinator for MATRUSCHKA project Kyösti Lempa, Project Coordinator for SUSTAINMENT project Union of the Baltic Cities Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Tähtitorni, Vartiovuori FIN-20700 Tiurku FINLAND tel. +35822623179 email kyosti.lempa@ubc.net

3. Together with our cities, partners and funders we are improving the environment and promoting sustainable development of Baltic cities. Welcome onboard!

4. Riga Quality workshop Application phase: finding partners and developing application Know your network (UBC) ‏ Know your partner network (BUP, Nordic Baltic Aalborg Commitments network etc) ‏ Know track records of your partners Be active during the contract negotiations Involve your possible partners in the application development

5. Riga Quality workshop Application phase: finding partners and developing application Challenges in the project development Joint development of the proposal because of the different timing of the two programmes How to match the project proposal with the cities' approved agenda for the coming year(s) ‏ Find common vocabulary and concepts Get the political commitment from the partners

6. Riga Quality workshop Reality when the project is approved How to involve partners Clear roles, clear concepts and clear time frames Good feedback from the partners The major challenge in involvement: language and lack of political support ‏ Find common vocabulary and concepts

7. Riga Quality workshop Reality when the project is approved The major challenges in the project implementation Is there sufficient support from administrations? YES How much project partners from RU/BY contribute to the project? Depends on the team Financial arrangements on the partner side

8. Riga Quality workshop Reality when the project is approved The major challenges in the project implementation Why in some case partners act very passively in the project activities? Administrative and management problems Are partners willing to work jointly? YES Visa arrangements? Both EU and Russian authorities are flexible. Inform both BY/RU and EU partners on practicalities.

9. What is the UBC? Baltic Sea Regional co-operation and policy actor, a link between the cities, and practical project implementation network: Founded in 1991 by 32 cities, now 100 members Represents the cities in Baltic Sea Regional policy co-operation Overall goal: balanced democratic, economic, social and environmental development Strategic focus: implementation of Agenda21 Main Secretariat in Gdansk – 11 thematic commissions placed all around the Baltic Sea Region

10. Roadmap for Sustainable Baltic Cities - UBC Agenda 21 Action Programme 2004-2009 Local Action 21 - Emphasis on concrete sustainability impact “on the ground”, five thematic focus areas: Good governance and sustainable urban management Sustainable use of energy and resources Good living environment and nature protection Sustainable economy and transport Social integration and health

12. Current UBC Agenda 21 Projects BSR / European Cutting edge activities! “Top of the pops” – the best and biggest we are doing: Managing Urban Europe – 25 (2005-2008, 2.9 MEUR) ‏ SUSTAINMENT (2006-2007, 1.4 MEUR) ‏ BUSTRIP – Baltic Urban Sustainable Transport Implementation and Planning (2005-2007, 3.3 MEUR) ‏ MATRUSCHKA –Integrated Management System for Russian Cities (2007-2009, 750 000 EUR) ‏ In addition several smaller projects where the UBC contributes to European co-operation as one of the partners. Also global sustainability work with the Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Co-operation and Sida (Swedish International Development Agency) ‏

13. Roadmap for Sustainable Baltic Cities - Our working methods / approaches Our most important tools are the projects addressing the focus areas. Key words are co- operation, external and internal networking, exchange of information (meetings, workshops, bulletins, website) ‏ UBC is involved in the European policy making in the Baltic Sea Region. Partners include HELCOM ( Helsinki Commission - Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission ) and Baltic 21 ( Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region ) ‏

14. Open House – some of our project partners In Europe: Eurocities, ACRR (Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling), ASSURRE (multilateral companies network), Energy-Cities, Healthy Cities, Barcelona, Porto, Brussels, Athens, Rome, Hanover, Sevilla, Ancona, Leeds, Lewis, Newcastle, University of the West of England, Sustainable Cities Research Institute (Northumbria University),German Federal Environmental Agency, … Globally: U.S. Baltic Regional Environmental Office, City of Portland, U.S. Environment Protection Agency, Lake Viktoria Regin Local Authorities Co-operation, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, UNEP (Grid Arendal), Climate Alliance…

15. Past projects - part of success New Hansa of Sustainable Ports and Cities (2003-2004, 1,0 MEUR) ‏ EMAS Peer Review for Cities (2003-2004, 0,6 MEUR) ‏ Baltic University Urban Forum (2004-2006, 0,6MEUR) ‏

16. UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat Consists of 15 professionals working fulltime for the UBC More information www.ubc-action21.net Tel. +358 2 262 3179 environment@ubc.net Services include: Partnerships Project building Meetings and events Environmental Bulletin Workshops Seminars The Best Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities Award