"Our Common Baltic" course
1992 - ongoing
Our annual summer course establishes and develops contacts between young and engaged citizens in all the Baltic Sea countries.
The participants, through interactive lectures and projects, exchange their knowledge and experiences, and learn more about the problems and solutions for the Baltic Sea catchment.
HISTORY OF THE PROJECT
The Our Common Baltic course began in 1992, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore the Baltic Sea ecosystem. They spent a few days on land at Stensund Folk High School before setting sail on the historic Amalia — a 25-meter, 100-year-old wooden ship — to study bottom sediments and marine life in the stunning Swedish archipelago.
Over the years, the event evolved, and before the pandemic, it was hosted at the Hel Marine Station in Poland, with participants enjoying boat trips and guided visits to the House of the Harbour Porpoise and the Seal Aquarium.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CCB shifted the event online, adapting the program to continue offering an engaging experience despite not being in the field.
Since 2023, the event has moved to a different country around the Baltic Sea each year, providing participants the chance to experience diverse ecosystems, learn about the best environmental practices in each nation, and meet top lecturers. This multicultural setting fosters collaboration among participants and experts from across the region, enriching the learning experience and strengthening regional cooperation on environmental issues.
>520
Participants
>63
Lecturers
32
Years
OCB IN A NUTSHELL
Why do we organize this course?
The event gives young people a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and make a real impact on the protection of the Baltic Sea.
By bringing together participants from across the region, we offer hands-on experiences, expert-led workshops, and the chance to discover the best environmental practices in different countries of the Baltic Sea Region. Join us to raise awareness, deepen your knowledge, and be part of a passionate community dedicated to protecting the Baltic Sea!
How the course is implemented?
The Our Common Baltic course is implemented through a carefully structured program that combines theoretical learning with practical fieldwork. Participants engage in lectures, hands-on exercises, and guided discussions led by experts in environmental science and conservation.
Each year, the course takes place in a different Baltic Sea country, providing a diverse learning environment and real-world exposure to environmental challenges and solutions. The course encourages active participation, teamwork, and the development of concrete projects aimed at addressing local and regional environmental issues.
What are the impacts?
The expected impact of the Our Common Baltic course is to raise awareness, exchange knowledge, and implement new projects that create a positive change for both the people and the environment of the Baltic Sea Region.
Participants gain valuable skills in environmental protection, collaborate on solutions to protect the Baltic Sea, and contribute to innovative projects that benefit local communities. The course contributes to developing the network of young leaders committed to advocating for the protection of the Baltic Sea's environment.
PARTICIPANTS QUOTES
“I gained a lot of friends, had an amazing week and feel even more interested to learn about the Baltic Sea and do advocacy work.”
- August 2024
Nora Bougern, Sweden
“I was surprised by how much biodiversity we saw during the camp. I loved it!”
- August 2024
Martynas Balsys, Lithuania
“We had the opportunity to meet and listen to great professors!”
- August 2024
Nomeda Kniuraitė, Lithuania
“With the citizen science, I realised how important it is to make sure people get involved and contribute to research with data collection.”
- August 2024
Iri Rosón, Spain
2025 EDITION
The next Our Common Baltic Course will be in August 2025 in Latvia.
The registration will open soon, so stay tuned!
LATEST EDITIONS
MATERIALS & MEDIA
For more information:
Catherine Evsukova, CCB Youth Working Group Coordinator: catherine.evsukova (at) ccb.se
"Our Common Baltic" course is co-funded by
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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We continue to act, do you want to know more?
Stay tuned for the next OCB course!
In the meanwhile, click the button below to discover how you can be engaged and help us to protect the Baltic Sea.