BBR (Baltic Blue Resilience) helps municipalities, water utilities and local communities manage stormwater more sustainably. Climate change is bringing heavier rainfall to the Baltic Sea Region, and environmental requirements are getting stricter. Stormwater runoff carries nutrients, heavy metals and microplastics into rivers, lakes and the Baltic Sea. At the same time, ageing drainage systems in growing cities struggle to keep up.
Through transnational cooperation, BBR brings together municipalities, water utilities, regulators, civil society and businesses to coordinate stormwater management and make wider use of nature-based solutions such as wetlands, green infrastructure and permeable surfaces.
From fragmented responsibilities to joint action
Many cities want to use nature-based solutions but run into practical barriers. Responsibilities are split between several actors, legal frameworks are often unclear, and hands-on experience with these solutions is still limited. BBR tackles these barriers by clarifying roles, sharing knowledge and developing practical tools that local stakeholders can use.
In parallel, we work on:
- mapping stakeholders to clarify who is responsible for what in stormwater management
- building cross-regional networks of stormwater managers
- hosting workshops on legal and technical challenges
- developing a joint methodology for applying local, ecosystem-based solutions
- developing action plans for a wider use of nature-based solutions
Partners
BBR is led by Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Finland. The project partners are Sustainable Business Hub (Sweden), Klaipeda Science and Technology Park (Lithuania), the Gdańsk–Gdynia–Sopot Metropolitan Area Association (Poland) and Clean (Denmark).
Associated organisations
BBR is supported by four associated organisations that bring the local perspective of municipalities working with stormwater management in practice. The associated organisations are the City of Kuopio (Finland), Trelleborg Municipality (Sweden), the Municipality of Holbæk (Denmark) and Kretinga Municipality (Lithuania).
Project goals
BBR aims to strengthen cooperation on stormwater management across the Baltic Sea Region, reduce pollution and flood risks, and help cities meet EU water and climate standards. The results will contribute to cleaner waters, climate-resilient infrastructure and healthier communities. The project also contributes to the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, Policy Area Nutri.
BBR is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027.
