Commission on Business Cooperation in the Baltic Sea

The Commission on Business Cooperation is associated partner in the planned EU project Baltic Sea Identity. Although most of the states of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) are EU members, the region is characterised by national perspectives, a lack of common identity and a weakness in the field of collaboration and joint action. How will Baltic Sea Identity address the problem? On one hand, BaltSeaIdent addresses individuals and strengthens their understanding of the culture and history in the BSR. This understanding is the key for developing a greater capacity for transnational cooperation and increased working mobility. On the other hand, BaltSeaIdent gives cities, regions and other organisations in the BSR assistance with developing the potential of common identity and strength in their regional development efforts.

Enabling Individuals for Transnational Cooperation & Mobility in the BSR- In parallel, Intercultural Training Courses are developed and conducted. They give participants deeper understanding of differences and commonalities of BSR identity, qualify them to live and workin the BSR intercultural environment, facilitate working mobility and strengthen the development of a regional identity as a whole by addressing multipliers. Target groups are youth, professionals working on a transnational level and further multipliers in the region, e.g. teachers. The Intercultural Baltic Sea History Book and Intercultural Baltic Sea Region Management Guide will serve as teaching material within the Intercultural Training Courses.

Capitalizing Baltic Sea Identity for Regional Development
► Opportunities for cities, regions and further organisations to benefit from a Common BSR Identity in fields of common strengths - on the basis of an analysis of existing initiatives and branding activities in the BSR, the impact of regional identity on regional development is examined to highlight common strengths and potential in the BSR in past and present.

Branding and Identity Dialogue with relevant actors and experts accompanies this process. Based on the results, a model for a Baltic Sea Region Brand has been developed and tested as a pilot in BSR Cities and Regions. This pilot exemplifies opportunities and recommendations for the application of a Baltic Sea Brand and gives insights to the further development of common BSR identity and a Baltic Sea Brand. The results are available for organisations and actors in the region via a Baltic Sea Identity and Branding Internet Platform and Handbook.