Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum

The Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum is a new network established in September 1997 in order to strengthen and facilitate Local Agenda 21 processes in the Baltic countries, Russia and Poland. It is a parallel and complementary process to the Baltic 21. Enthusiastic new members are warmly welcome to join the Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum.

"The aim is to launch and support LA 21 activities around the Baltic Sea."

Further information

Local Agenda 21 (LA 21) activities based on the Rio Declaration have got off to a good start in numerous cities in the Nordic countries and Germany. Some LA 21 activities are already going on in cities in the Baltic countries, Poland and Russia, but above all, many local authorities and cities in these countries are currently initiating their LA 21 activities. In this situation, both eastern and western actors would benefit from an exchange of experiences and co-operation.

OBJECTIVE OF THE FORUM

The Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum aims at providing a framework for capacity building related to participatory LA 21 activities within local authorities and communities in this region. In other words, the aim is to launch and support LA 21 activities round the Baltic Sea. Therefore Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum may be regarded as a parallel and complementary process to that of the Baltic 21.

The main goals of this process are to raise environmental awareness, strengthen participation and responsibility at the local level and - in the long run - decrease the load on the environment. The idea is to build a network of LA 21 contact persons in the Baltic Sea Region, arrange training and seminars plus support the initiation of LA 21 activities in these various nations.

PARTNERS

The Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum is coordinated by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, with the following organizations acting as its partners: UBC, CCB, ICLEI, ICC, HELCOM and cities from nine countries in the region of the Baltic Sea.

The process was officially started in Lahti, Finland 2 -3 September, where 70 participants from a host of countries and organizations gathered to discuss future collaboration. As a result, the participants agreed to launch a Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum as a means to strengthen and facilitate individual LA 21 processes, in which local communities play a key role. A working group was formed to continue the preparatory work.

During September and October, national Local Agenda working meetings were held in connection with the Municipal Environmental Auditing seminars as organized by the UBC. As a result of these working meetings, national working groups have been established in Latvia, Lithuania, Kaliningrad and Poland. In Finland, the Local Sustainable Development Section of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development will be responsible for national coordination.

JOIN THE FORUM !

The working group preparing the Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum warmly welcomes new members as well as comments and ideas regarding this initiative.

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