Predicting the future by re-imagining the present

Join the Baltic Living Lab Network

The Baltic Living Lab was originally established as a resource hub under the Horizon SHORE project to promote Blue Literacy, expand the Network of European Blue Schools to the Baltic region, and support the EU Mission Ocean "Restore Our Oceans and Waters by 2030 ". Now operating as an independent, non-profit association operated by volunteers, BLL serves as a collaborative resource hub that fosters cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovative action to address shared environmental challenges and promote sustainable stewardship of the Baltic Sea. Our goal is to unite stakeholders across the multiple helix — education, public bodies, research, civil society, and businesses in the Blue Economy — throughout the eight EU countries of the Baltic Sea Region as the Blue Nexus. Partners from all eight countries are invited to actively contribute to this dynamic and inclusive platform.

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Empowering Baltic Sea Sustainability -Together

The Baltic Living Lab unites stakeholders across the Baltic Sea region to collaboratively tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainability through innovative solutions and community engagement.

Through open schooling, citizen science, and digital innovation, the Baltic Living Lab fosters cross-border cooperation, blue literacy, and inclusive participation — ensuring that all voices, especially those of youth and educators, are engaged in shaping a more resilient future for our shared sea. BLL is dedicated to fostering the long-term health and sustainability of the Baltic Sea, as well as the numerous freshwater ecosystems, by catalyzing community-driven solutions and collaborative action.

As a transnational platform, the Baltic Living Lab operates across national borders and sectors, bridging local fieldwork with policy-level dialogue. Through dynamic partnerships with schools, civil society, researchers, municipalities, and industry, we create pathways for shared learning, innovation, and policy influence. By promoting open collaboration, disseminating knowledge, and encouraging strategic dialogue, BLL supports a resilient Baltic ecosystem—one that nurtures biodiversity, strengthens community well-being, and advances a just and thriving Blue Economy.

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Mission: The Baltic Living Lab is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder resource hub established to unite the eight EU countries of the Baltic Sea Region in collaborative action for sustainability and resilience of the Baltic Sea Region. Originally launched under the Horizon SHORE project, it now serves as a permanent platform to empower schools, researchers, local authorities, NGOs, and communities to co-create solutions for the Baltic Sea’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Our mission centers on supporting environmental stewardship and the responsible use of natural resources to benefit both current and future generations. We approach change through a systems-thinking lens —recognizing that lasting impact requires not only immediate outcomes but also deep, structural transformation. Our work is directed toward restoring both marine and freshwater environments throughout the Baltic Region. Our initiatives are grounded in inclusive engagement, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to become active contributors to solutions rather than passive observers of environmental degradation.

Goals & Objectives

Baltic Living Lab members gain access to the tools for collaboration amongst the eight EU countries

to work together on solving the complex challenges facing Baltic Sea communities

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Blue Literacy / Blue Education

Promote Teaching and Learning Strategies that transform learners of all ages into Agents of Change and Stewards who support the EU Mission Ocean for collaborative action that restores the health/well being of the Baltic Sea and the resilience of its communities

Identify concrete opportunities for cooperation in European projects that mobilize members to jointly develop and implement innovative, cross-border initiatives that address the complex challenges facing the Baltic Sea Region

Our outreach to the multiple helix of the eight EU countries bordering the Baltic Sea puts information in front of the people that need to see it, to improve traditional strategies for dissemination, for impactful storytelling with data

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Dissemination Agency

Membership Eligibility

Becoming a Member of the Baltic Living Lab’s network of stakeholders signifies a willingness to be actively engaged in connecting to Blue Literacy activities that shape collaborative actions. Three Membership Levels are made available to interested parties:

INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP is for public or private organizations with the capacity to engage as partners in multilateral funding. All institutional members must have the capacity and interest to engage in multilateral funding partnerships (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, LIFE, etc.), contribute to shared objectives, and uphold principles of collaboration, transparency, and community empowerment.

OBSERVERSHIP is designed for organizations, coalitions, or clusters that wish to contribute to and benefit from the network without the full responsibilities of partnership in multilateral funding projects. Observership members typically support the mission and activities of the Baltic Living Lab, participate in knowledge exchange, and may collaborate informally or on a project-by-project basis. Observers help broaden the Baltic Living Lab’s reach and inclusivity, offering valuable perspectives and laying the groundwork for future formal collaboration. These include:

There are no formal obligations for Observership Members to participate in projects. They receive updates, view and/or participate in events, and may contribute to initiatives as their statutes allow. Observershp Membership is an ideal entry point for emerging stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Region that want to build capacity and make connections for future full membership.

INITIATIVES / INDIVIDUALS with no legal entity or individuals are also welcome to apply where they can demonstrate relevant ongoing and future relevant activities.

Join the Baltic Living Lab

☑ Public Authorities: municipalities and townships, regional governments, etc.

☑ Formal Education Institutions: universities (HEIs), vocational education centers (VET), applied science and research institutions, schools and school networks (primary, secondary, school consortia, etc.)

☑Non-Governmental Organizations: Civil society organizations (NGOs) working in environmental protection, youth engagement, citizen science, education, or coastal community resilience, Local Action Groups (LAGs), university extension centers, social innovation organizations, etc.

☑Private Sector Enterprises (SMEs or Corporations), especially those in the Blue Economy, Industry Associations & Clusters, Chambers of Commerce, Business Coalitions seeking dialogue on responsible practices and green transition alignment.

☑Innovation Centers: Organizations focused on climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, or digital co-creation tools that align with Baltic Sea protection goals.

☑Intergovernmental and Cross-Border Platforms: regional cooperation entities or multilateral frameworks promoting environmental and policy coordination

☑Informal Education Providers: Science centers, aquariums, youth camps, or eco-tourism operators offering experiential learning

☑Cultural and Creative Organizations: Art collectives, media producers, or cultural networks exploring environmental storytelling, digital media, and public engagement

✅ Regulatory Agencies: National or regional environmental, education, or maritime agencies can contribute insights on policy, compliance, and impact monitoring without being bound to implement project activities directly. They can provide valuable alignment with national strategies, data standards, and policy frameworks.

✅ Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): Act as key knowledge brokers and facilitators of regional cooperation. Their observer status allows for strategic alignment without compromising neutrality or regulatory independence with advisory input on project design and alignment with regional strategies. IGOs provide access to data and indicators that help monitor progress toward shared goals and support building bridges between civil society, science, and governance layers with visibility and dissemination through official platforms and networks. Observer membership is ideal for organizations that operate at the intersection of governance and practice, value cross-sectoral innovation but must remain independent of project execution, and wish to stay engaged, informed, and influential in shaping initiatives.

✅ Local Community Groups & Grassroots Initiatives: Environmental clubs, citizen science groups, youth collectives, or volunteer-led coastal initiatives interested in Blue Literacy and Baltic Sea sustainability.

✅ Philanthropic Foundations and Think Tank organizations with interest in Baltic resilience, climate action, or youth empowerment that wish to monitor activities and explore future collaboration.

✅ Educational Networks or Teaching Alliances such as teacher associations, curriculum developers, or educational platforms that want to share practices or pilot open schooling approaches without committing to full partnership roles.

✅ Municipalities or Regions in Early Engagement Stages that include local governments interested in joining the network but not yet positioned to take on institutional responsibilities (e.g., due to funding cycles or internal readiness).