Project

Strengthening of civil society and enhancing cooperation between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Baltic Sea region is important as the role of NGOs in promoting democracy, sustainable development and human rights is significant. There are many organisations active in the region, but the lack of unity and knowledge about other organisations causes inefficiency.

The aim of this project is to promote trans-boundary cooperation between Northwest Russian, Finnish and Estonian environmental NGOs, support their networking and strengthen the capacities of environmental NGOs in the three neighbouring countries. In addition, the project provides NGOs knowledge about the EU Northern Dimension and European Neighbourhood Policy as well as funding opportunities for NGO cooperation. The project is financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland . 

Project consists of two main elements:

1. Web site provides information on Northwest Russian, Estonian and Finnish environmental NGOs and their cooperation as well as views for future cooperation. In addition, news and information about important events and funding opportunities for NGO cooperation are provided on the web site.
   
   In order to promote your organization through the environmental NGOs database, please fill out the questionnaire (for Finnish, Estonian, Russian NGOs) concerning activities and views of your environmental organization. The filled questionnaire should be sent via e-mail:johanna.pollari@tampere.fi
     
2. Summer School for environmental NGOs from Pskov and St. Petersburg regions, and from Finland and Estonia is organised in Pskov during 25–29 August 2005 . The overall goal of the Summer School is to exchange experiences and promote cooperation and networking between Finnish, Northwest Russian and Estonian environmental NGOs. Key aim is to initiate 1–3 concrete cooperation projects between environmental NGOs of the three countries.
   
   Thematic working groups of the Summer School will focus on the following themes:
   1. Environmental education and youth cooperation
   2. Sustainable urban planning
   3. Sustainable tourism

Summer School Programme