Sweden Boosts NEFCO-Managed BSAP Fund with New Contribution to Protect the Baltic Sea

Sweden Boosts NEFCO-Managed BSAP Fund with New Contribution to Protect the Baltic Sea

(IN BRIEF) Sweden has contributed SEK 9 million (approximately EUR 765,500) to the NEFCO-managed Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Fund, further supporting efforts to tackle environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea. Established by Sweden and Finland in 2010, the BSAP Fund has financed over 70 projects focused on biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention, and nutrient recycling. The new funding will enable a 2025 call for proposals, continuing to advance the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. Co-managed by NEFCO and the Nordic Investment Bank, the Fund remains a key tool for fostering regional cooperation and sustainable environmental improvements.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 14-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has announced a SEK 9 million (approximately EUR 765,500) contribution to the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Fund. The funding, unveiled during HELCOM’s Heads of Delegation meeting, emphasizes Sweden’s dedication to addressing the environmental challenges of the Baltic Sea. Established by Sweden and Finland in 2010, the BSAP Fund serves as an essential financing mechanism to support projects that promote the health and sustainability of the Baltic region.

Jacob Hagberg, Head of the Swedish Delegation, highlighted the importance of the Fund as a driver for innovation and regional cooperation. “The BSAP Fund has proven to be a vital instrument for implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan, engaging stakeholders, and financing transformative projects. The Swedish Parliament’s recent adoption of the bill ‘A Living Sea’ reflects our long-term commitment to the Baltic Sea’s protection,” Hagberg stated.

Since its inception, the BSAP Fund has allocated EUR 15 million from Sweden and Finland to support over 70 projects, 80% of which focus on biodiversity conservation and pollution prevention. These initiatives include nutrient recycling programs, small-scale sanitation systems, and advanced wastewater treatment facilities—all aimed at mitigating eutrophication and enhancing the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem.

With the additional funding, the BSAP Fund is set to launch a new call for proposals in 2025, creating opportunities for further impactful projects. “This contribution will allow us to continue mobilizing resources to advance the Baltic Sea Action Plan and deliver meaningful environmental improvements,” said Mia Dahlström, Sweden’s representative on the Fund’s steering committee.

The Fund, co-managed by the Nordic Investment Bank and Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank, invites additional donors to join the effort. Fund Manager Dennis Hamro-Drotz emphasized the importance of collective action: “With support from Sweden and other contributors, the BSAP Fund remains a critical tool for financing initiatives that demonstrate clear benefits for the Baltic Sea.”

For over a decade, the BSAP Fund has played a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation and innovation, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of efforts to achieve a healthier Baltic Sea.

About the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fundh

The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund (the BSAP Fund) was set up in 2010 to help speed up the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, which is a roadmap to improve the ecological state of the Baltic Sea, including concrete actions addressing biodiversity, eutrophication, hazardous substances and sea-based activities. The key purpose of the BSAP Fund is to facilitate and speed up the preparation of bankable projects from both public and private entities.

Read more on: www.nefco.int/BSAP

Media Contact:

Dennis Hamro-Drotz
BSAP Fund Manager/Senior Programme Manager, Nefco
dennis.hamro-drotz@nefco.int
+358 10 6180 641

SOURCE: Nefco