On 8 December 2022, the Annual Stakeholder Forum of the Euroregion Baltic was held in Olsztyn, organised in cooperation with the partners of the Municipality of Sztum in cooperation with our Association, Gdansk University of Technology and partners from International Development Norway. The main topic of the Forum was counteracting climate change based on the experiences of Polish and foreign partners of the Euroregion.

The event was opened by the Marshal of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, Mr Gustaw Marek Brzezin, and the Mayor of the City and Municipality of Sztum, Mr Leszek Tabor. Mr Marszałek holds the position of President in the Euroregion and the Annual Stakeholder Forum was also the culmination of his one-year presidency, which will continue until the end of 2022.

The meeting was attended by representatives from almost all of the Euroregion's member regions, including: from Denmark Bornholm, from Sweden the regions of Blekinge, Kronoberg, Kalmar, and from Poland the regions of Pomerania and Warmia and Mazury.

The annual Forum is a meeting which this year had a different setting than before. This is because it was supported by the thematic scope of the Sztum Circular Economy project. We wanted to involve many of our Euroregional climate change experts and project partners in the discussion. The keynote speech was given by Professor Krzysztof Czerwionka from the Gdansk University of Technology. He spoke about the essence of a closed-loop economy - the impact on the environment, why we should pay attention to our small choices in everyday life to prevent drastic climate change, what we are threatened by and how to avoid negative environmental effects.

There were also thematic sessions - Closed-loop economy in practice The road to a closed-loop economy (the sphere of production and planning, water resource management, recycling and waste as pillars of new project initiatives, including two panel discussions, the first with the participation of, among others, experts from the Waste Management Facility from Denmark, International Development Norway, the City and Municipality of Sztum, the Water Key Group from Sweden and a representative from the Department of Environmental Protection of the Marshal's Office of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship.

The second panel discussion concerned the topic of Energy and the Closed-cycle Economy Renewable energy sources as a catalyst for the introduction of a circular economy model. Participants in this part included representatives of, among others, the Regional Municipality of Bornholm, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, a representative of the South Baltic Programme project office, the Department of Environmental Protection of the Marshal's Office. In addition, participants were able to learn more about the Interreg South Baltic program and the Danish BOFA organisation.

The fruit of both discussions was the willingness of all those gathered to participate and act in the Task Force on Combating Climate Change. The forum is also a meeting of the newly formed Task Force - Circular Economy Task Force, which will bring together thematic experts in the field of combating climate change.

During the second day of the conference, a joint meeting of the partnership team of the Sztum Circular Economy project was held. The meeting summarised the activities to date and the indicators achieved. Further activities were planned for 2023 in order to be consistent and most effectively implemented.

We would like to thank all the participants of the conference initiating the operation of the Task Force Working Group for their participation and involvement in both the part of inspirational presentations, the discussion panel and the working group workshops. During the meeting, new ideas for initiatives were born that could be developed and implemented by working groups.
The meeting began with the welcome of the guests by the Project Leader, the Mayor of the City and Commune of Sztum, Mr. Leszek Tabor, and the representative of the City of Elbląg, Mr. Adam Jocz. In order to introduce the subject of the project, the representative of the project leader, Mrs. Ewa Ruczyńska, presented the project's activities, both those that have already taken place and those that are planned. The Director of the Association, Marcin Żuchowski, as the partner responsible for the activities related to the creation of the Task Force, presented the plan and assumptions of the action.

Participants of the event had the opportunity to listen to inspirational presentations presented by specialists on various topics related to:

• possibilities of financing activities,
• energy,
• running a social shop,
• waste,
• circular economy.

The next part of the meeting concerned the discussion panel, which was attended by representatives of the Marshal's Offices from the Warmian-Masurian and Pomeranian Voivodships, scientific representatives from the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences and a partner from Norway (International Development Norway).

The last part of the conference was devoted to a workshop, where the participants, divided into groups, talked about problematic topics in their regions / organizations and how they can be counteracted. Two task forces were created on Energy and Water, Waste and Production)

During the meeting, new ideas for initiatives were born that could be developed and implemented by working groups.

Activity implemented as part of the project "Sztum Circular Economy - A response to contemporary climate challenges". The project is co-financed under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 under the "Environment, Energy, Climate Change" Program and from the state budget.

One of the most important events of the "Sztum Circular Economy" project will take place in Elblag on November 14 - the establishment of a Task Force for Climate Change Mitigation and the development of green and blue initiatives in northern Poland, the so-called "Circular Economy Task Force." Established at the Association of Polish Municipalities Euroregion Baltic, the group of experts and specialists will be supported by: Gdańsk University of Technology, International Development Norway, the City and Municipality of Sztum and the Elblag Technology Park.

The event, initiated and coordinated by our Association, is an activity aimed not only at activating local governments of the Warmian-Masurian and Pomeranian Voivodeships, bringing together local experts and specialists, but also at creating an open platform for the development of new initiatives and exchange of good practices as a response to contemporary climate challenges.

We encourage you to save the date of 14.11.2022 today and participate in this important meeting for the future of blue and green growth of our regions and local communities to inaugurate this initiative, which is interdisciplinary in nature and is expected to contribute to a comprehensive approach aimed at solving common challenges.

Meeting place: ELBLĄG, Stary Rynek 25 Street, STAROMIEJSKI OLD TOWN HALL

Meeting time: November 14th (Monday) - start 9:30 am - 4:40 pm CET

Participation: Open admission - pre-registration required REGISTRATION LINK

We count on the most active participation in this platform of cooperation of all those interested in the development of interdisciplinary cooperation and the emergence of new initiatives combining the sphere of "soft" activities: education, information, activation with "hard" activities: infrastructure, pilot and demonstration activities.

The conference is:

• inspirational presentations - Elena programs, Energy Consultancy, Renaldo, Energy Clusters;
• panel discussion showing local and regional perspectives, scientific and project approaches;
• workshops in two blocks: Road to a Closed Economy (production, water, waste), Circular Economy vs. Green Energy;

Our efforts are made possible by the opportunities guaranteed by the project "Sztum Circular Economy - a response to today's climate challenges (SCE) implemented under the funds of the EEA Financial Mechanism (Environment, Energy and Climate Change Program and funds of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2014-2021) , which will enable us to develop this initiative and involve Norwegian partners!

SŁÓW KILKA O CIRCULAR ECONOMY TASK FORCE

OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUP: is primarily the development and support of local and regional initiatives aimed at mitigating and counteracting the negative effects of climate change, as well as the exchange of good practices on green and blue initiatives. The Working Group is not only a meeting of experts, but above all work through workshops, panel discussions, support events, which as a consequence are expected to lead to the development and implementation of specific projects beneficial to the society of the regions of northern Poland."

FORM OF OPERATION: Informal networking operating on the basis of dedicated events - physical and online meetings (at least two per year), with an open and cost-free character

TIME FRAMEWORK: JUNE 2022 - MARCH 2024, later a decision on possible extension of the group's activities.

FINANCING: During the period of implementation of the SCE project from the budget of the partner of the Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Poland Euroregion Baltic (funds secured - funding level of 80%), after the end of the project from the Association's own sources and funds raised from new initiatives produced.

We invite you to participate in this event:

• Local specialists and experts in the field of circular economy, green and blue initiatives: renewable energies, water and water retention, waste, representatives of companies, specialists in EU and EEA projects and programs from the two provinces of Warmia and Mazury and Pomerania;
• Representatives of authorities and local governments, wishing to develop and seek partners for the development of new initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change;
• authorities of the Warmia and Mazury and Pomerania regions
• representatives of the educational sphere and research and scientific institutions
• member municipalities of the Association (STG ERB) - local government representatives and local experts;

The participants themselves will create tasks and further decide the future of the Group! Every vote, every opinion will be important to us!

The event directly supports the implementation of the activities of the Shtum Circular Economy (SCE) project in terms of activities:

• NETWORKING - CREATION OF TASK GROUP AT THE ASSOCIATION OF EUROREGION BALTIC GMINS - SEMINARS FOR NATIONAL SPECIALISTS FROM TWO REGIONS: POMERANIA AND WARMIA-MAZURY - 14.11.2022.

We will invite foreign partners to the next stages of work as early as December 8, 2022, and they will be:

• Euroregion Baltic members from the Baltic Sea countries (Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania)
• experts from the member regions of the 4 countries forming the Euroregion Baltic network (regional representatives, experts and local specialists);
• Polish-Norwegian partner team of the SCE project - Sztum, Gdansk University of Technology, IDN (NORWAY).

COME! LISTEN! LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT GOOD WE ARE DOING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS!

AGENDA - SOON!

The partnership team does not stop working even on weekends for the sake of a joint project and to put the idea of the circular economy to work and leave its mark on the ecological development of our member municipalities! This time we worked together with the local authorities in Sztum!

On Saturday (03.09.2022), within the framework of the local celebration of the project Leader, the Municipality of Sztum held its first project event, 'Sztum Circular Economy - the answer to modern climate requirements', addressed to local beneficiaries, referred to as the 'Day with Climate'.

It was an information and education event with a practical dimension, which had an open dimension - thus ensuring greater involvement of local society and invited guests.

As part of the Climate Day, a range of activities were organised for potential participants from different age categories, including: 

• the organisation of presentations and competitions on the topics of waste management and the impact of pro-environmental and pro-environmental behaviour and our ability to influence climate change mitigation, 
• integration games: including a field game and a nature knowledge quiz - showing the values of local nature and the environment, as well as providing a moment of reflection on the need to protect them;
• a "zero waste" cooking workshop, showing how to reduce the amount of waste generated in our daily lives in a simple way;
•  a "Second Life" product swap corner, where everyone could swap their old and worn-out items for new ones,
• the presentation of prizes and environmental gadgets;

As part of the stands prepared by the Municipality of Sztum, which presented the project to local residents and guests during the Sztum Days, a climatic corner was set up, where workshops were held to promote the idea of the closed-circuit economy, i.e. the optimum use of products and materials (counteracting the waste of raw materials and energy) according to the 'zero waste' principle, e.g. food products in the kitchen or waste generated in the kitchen, it was possible to promote the exchange of used items between users (exchange of clothes, books, etc.). In addition, competitions, games and quizzes were organised for children and adults, with prizes including seedlings of trees, shrubs or ornamental plants. 

This activity is a kind of link and contribution of the Municipality of Sztum and the partner team to the trend associated with the local celebrations of Earth Day, a holiday whose aim is to draw attention to environmental issues, including the promotion of pro-ecological behaviour, and the celebration of the Sztum Earth Day. Earth Day is the biggest environmental holiday celebrated since 1970 and is currently celebrated in 192 countries, which we want to promote during local events. In Poland, Earth Day has been celebrated since 1990. The celebration of the Sztum Earth Day is a traditional block of events, which brings together a large number of local residents and is an excellent source of promoting public involvement in climate issues.

During the event, a short partnership coordination meeting was also held between the project leader, the City and Municipality of Sztum, and representatives of the Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Poland Euroregion Baltic and representatives of Gdansk University of Technology, during which the activities to date were discussed, as well as the challenges that lie ahead in the project. The date of the next meeting of the entire Polish-Norwegian partnership team was also confirmed, which will take place on 09.09.2022 in an online format.

Invitation to take part in the Days of the Sztum Land, which will take place on 2-4.09.2022 (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) in the City Park (Sztum).

As part of the organised event, there will be a Day with Climate, which is being implemented as part of the Sztum Circular Economy project. This event will take place on the second day of the event on 3.09.2022.

As part of the Day with Climate, it is planned to organise presentations and competitions on the topic of waste management and the impact of waste generation and management behaviour on climate change. As part of the stands, a climate corner will be set up, where workshops will be held to promote the idea of a circular economy. There will be competitions, games and quizzes for children and adults, with prizes being seedlings of trees, shrubs or ornamental plants.