Within the Capacity4MSP project, VASAB Secretariat has started the work towards developing an integrated report on MSP stakeholder involvement and engagement. The report will encompass and analyse experience and lessons learnt from MSP projects and national MSP processes that concern stakeholder involvement, their awareness raising and engagement into MSP at EU, BSR and national as well as regional level.

MARA (Mobility and Accessibility in Rural Areas) is an Interreg BSR project which aims to improve the mobility and accessibility in and to remote and rural areas in the countries of the Baltic Sea region (BSR). Many of those areas are also important touristic destinations. The project partnership consists of 12 regional and national public administrations and universities from nine BSR countries. 13 associated partners are involved.

To better support its work, VASAB initiated the ESPON targeted analysis project ‘Territorial Scenarios for the Baltic Sea Region 2050’ (BT2050).

The 1st Planners’ Forum within the Capacity4MSP project took place on 31 March 2020, it continued an already established tradition of successful planners’ meetings. To follow the global health situation, meeting took place online and proved that this format also can ensure the collaboration among maritime spatial planning practitioners.

During these demanding and unpredictable times, the Capacity4MSP 1st project partner meeting was held online on 30th March 2020. As work in all project activities has already successfully begun, this meeting was crucial for all project partners to discuss current project progress and to update the work plan. Here is a short summary of main messages discussed at the meeting.

VASAB jointly with HELCOM are Coordinators of the Horizontal Action 'Spatial Planning' of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The overall goal of HA 'Spatial Planning' is to increase territorial cohesion in the Baltic Sea Region. In 2030, the Region shall be a better-integrated and more coherent macro-region, that has reduced socio-economic development divides between its individual parts and has turned global challenges into assets. HA 'Spatial Planning' has two thematic areas: land-based spatial planning and maritime spatial planning (MSP).