International non-governmental organisations

OBSERVERS

​Baltic Farmers’ Forum on Environment (BFFE)
The main purpose of the BBFE network is to involve the farmers from the Baltic Sea region and their organisations in the process of environmental improvement.

Baltic Operational Oceanographic System (BOOS)
BOOS is a formal association of institutes from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark taking national responsibility for operational oceanographic services in support of protection of lives and properties and the promotion of the development of society. The vision of BOOS is to provide an integrated service to marine users and policy makers in support of safe and efficient offshore activities, environmental management, security, and sustainable use of marine resources.

Baltic Ports Organisation (BPO)
The Baltic Ports Organisation was founded in 1991. Several harbours located in the area around the Baltic Sea are working together to improve the competitiveness of maritime transport in the Baltic region.

Baltic Salmon Fund (BSF)
The Baltic Salmon Fund is an independent foundation that works closely with stakeholders in the rivers. The foundation works for strong and viable salmon stocks, an ecosystem-based management of our fish stocks and to restore and preserve the habitats in the Baltic Sea as well as in our rivers.

Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG)
The Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) is an independent non-profit foundation (2008) based in Finland. BSAG works to find solutions and right actors to restore the good ecological balance of the Baltic Sea. The work is based on constructive cooperation among all levels of society, including the highest political level in all the Baltic Sea countries, public authorities, and the private sector. BSAG works as a matchmaker, bringing research findings to the use of the decision makers, activating companies to find and implement solutions, and bringing together the parties needed to save the Baltic Sea.

Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC)
The Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC) was created in 2006. The main aim of the Baltic Sea Advisory Council is to advise the European Commission and Member States on matters relating to management of the fisheries in the Baltic Sea. The BSAC consists of representatives from the fishing sector and other interest groups affected by the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. The fishing sector includes fisheries associations, producer organizations, processors, market organizations. The other interest groups include environmental NGOs, consumers, women’s networks, recreational and sports fishermen and subsistence fishermen.

Baltic Sea Forum (BSF)
Baltic Sea Forum e.V. was founded in 1992 as Pro Baltica Forum e.V. It possesses a representative network of members from the business world, politics and administration. The Baltic Sea Forum is a private organisation which works closely together with a number of governments as well as with state-wide, regional and local institutions. The Forum renamed itself on the 20^th March of 2003 in order to express its focus on the whole Baltic Sea region even more clearly. The Baltic Sea Forum has representatives in Aarhus, Bremen, Brussels, Helsinki, Kaliningrad, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Münchenstein, Oslo, Riga, Schleswig-Holstein, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Gdansk.

Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC)
Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC) was established in 1993, based on the Stavanger declaration, and as a result of the establishment of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in 1992. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) has since its establishment in 2009 guided the actions of the BSSSC and its regions. The BSSSC has since the very beginning participated as a key stakeholder in the planning and implementation of the strategy. The BSSSC strives to advocate the interests of the regions and promotes its implementation and ownership on all levels of governance. BSSSC encourages involving relevant regional partners from the third countries, in particular the Russian Federation and Norway, in order to tackle challenges in the macro-region effectively.

BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of non-governmental conservation organisations with a focus on birds that works together on shared priorities, exchanging skills, achievements and information, and so growing in ability, authority and influence. BirdLife International is present in 103 countries and territories worldwide.

BONUS Baltic Organizations’ Network for Funding Science (BONUS EEIG)
BONUS EEIG is a newly established independent organisation with a full name of BONUS Baltic Organisations’ Network for Funding Science EEIG. It is established as an European Economic Interest Grouping,  so that it can be a contractor with the European Commission and other possible parties. Its members are either funding agencies directly, or organisations managing national funding allocations for the joint calls under the Joint Baltic Sea Research Programme. At the moment BONUS EEIG coordinates the BONUS Era-Net as well as the BONUS+ Call. The BONUS EEIG Secretariat is located in Helsinki.

Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB)
The Coalition Clean Baltic is a politically independent, non profit association that was established in 1990. The main goal of CCB is the protection and improvement of the Baltic Sea environment and natural resources.

Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe – Baltic Sea Commission (CPMR)
The CPMR is an interregional organisation that brings together 144 Regions from twenty-six European countries. Since 1973, it has been contributing towards promoting a more balanced development of the European territory and a greater involvement of the regional players in European integration.

Cruise Lines International Association Europe (CLIA Europe, former European Cruise Council)
CLIA Europe represents the leading cruise companies operating in Europe and has 29 cruise members and 42 associate members.CLIA Europe promotes the interests of cruise ship operators within Europe, liaising closely with the EU Institutions: the Commission, the Parliament, the Council of Ministers and their Permanent Representatives as well as with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). CLIA Europe also promotes cruising to a wider public audience to encourage expansion of the European cruise market and works closely with a number of regional bodies such as Cruise Baltic, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise.

European Anglers Alliance (EAA)
The European Anglers Alliance is a pan-European organization for recreational angling, which defends European recreational anglers’ interests at the European level and beyond. The EAA was launched in Brussels in 1994. The organization is registered in Germany (pdf), Offenbach am Main. The EAA headquarters is in Brussels. The EAA is recognized as a NGO (non-governmental organization) and registered as a not-for-profit organization.

European Boating Association (EBA)
The European Boating Association represents European boat users in environmental, technical and regulatory matters affecting their health, safety and enjoyment of water activities. EBA also aims to encourage the safe, unhampered and environmentally friendly use of recreational boats throughout Europe’s waters.

European Boating Industry (EBI)
European Boating Industry represents the recreational boating and nautical tourism industry in Europe. It encompasses all related sectors, such as boat and yacht-building, equipment manufacturing, marinas, charter and service providers. The industry is a significant contributor to the European economy, representing 32,000 companies, predominantly SMEs that employ over 280,000 people directly. The mission of EBI is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry #MadeInEurope.

European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)
ECSA, formed in 1965 under the name of the Comité des Associations d’Armateurs des Communautés Européennes (CAACE) and taking its present name in 1990, comprises the national shipowner associations of the EU and Norway. ECSA works through a permanent secretariat in Brussels and a Board of Directors, as well as a number of specialised committees. Its aim is to promote the interests of European shipping so that the industry can best serve European and international trade and commerce in a competitive free enterprise environment to the benefit of shippers and consumers.

European Dredging Association (EuDA)
Founded in 1993, the European Dredging Association (EuDA) is a non-profit industry organisation for European dredging companies and related organisations, representing approximately 25,000 European employees “on land and on board of the vessels” in direct employment and more than 48,300 in indirect employment (supply and service companies) with approximately 750 seaworthy European flagged vessels.

European Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EUMEPS)
The association for European Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EUMEPS) is the voice of the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) industry. The members are 23 National Associations of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in Europe.

European Network of Freshwater Research Organizations (EurAqua)
The European Network of Freshwater Research Organizations (EurAqua)was established in 1993. The aim of EurAqua is to contribute substantially to the development of European freshwater science and technology and its dissemination on a European scale, thus having a significant input on the development of the scientific and economic basis of European water management. The EurAqua Partner institutions are leading, generally public, freshwater research institutions in the Member States of the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland. They extensively support national policies as well as water business. Within the country, the EurAqua members are closely connected to other relevant institutions. Today, EurAqua consists of 24 partner institutes from 22 Countries.

Fertilizers Europe
Fertilizers Europe​ is a non-profit making association that represents the major fertilizer manufacturers in Western Europe. Its members account for approximately 90 per cent of the region’s nitrogen fertilizer production capacity and around 70 per cent of phosphate fertilizer production.

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)
The European Sea Ports Organisation represents the port authorities, port associations and port administrations of the seaports of the European Union. ESPO was founded in 1993 in response to a growing demand that the sea port sector would present its views and opinions to serve the interests of seaports with regard to the development of the European Community, the single market and its common transport policy.

The Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC)
EUCC is the largest coastal network in Europe, with 750 members and member organisations in 40 countries, 14 active National Branches and 7 professional offices. It is dedicated to the integrity and natural diversity of the coastal heritage and to ecologically sustainable development.

European Federation of National Associations of Water and Wastewater Services (EUREAU)
Eureau represents the water suppliers and wastewater operators of Europe, which collectively provide vital water services to over 360 million people. The members collect and treat domestic and trade/industry effluents through the sewerage system and discharge the treated effluents back into the environment and are engaged in regulating discharges to the sewer system and in the management of the water cycle. They carry out significant research to ensure the environmental impact of their activities is minimized.

Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP)
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is the united voice of the European aquaculture production industry, being the federation of national aquaculture associations that represent professional fish farming in Europe.FEAP was established in 1969 and it has 26 members drawn from 22 States across the European continent. The aims of the FEAP are: 1) to develop and establish a common policy on questions relating to the production and the commercialization of aquaculture species that are reared commercially and 2) to make known to the appropriate authorities the common policies envisaged above.

Federation of European Private Port Operators (Feport)
Feport, founded in January 1993, is an organisation representing the interests of private port operators, i.e. stevedores and terminal operators, at European level. Its membership consists of national and regional sector associations in EU Member States, EFTA and accession countries. In addition, in view of the importance of many recent policy developments, many of the main European terminal operators have joined directly as associate members. Feport’s permanent secretariat in Brussels ensures the communication between the EU institutions and the sea port terminal operators & stevedores throughout Europe. It is responsible for the general management of the organisation.

Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe
The Global Water Partnership’s vision is for a water secure world. Their mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. GWP CEE consists of twelve country water partnerships that provide an inclusive and neutral platform for stakeholders in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. GWP Membership is open to organizations that recognize the Dublin-Rio principles and are involved with issues related to integrated water resources management. More than 147 organisations and individuals are members of GWP CEE.

Interferry
Interferry is the only shipping association representing the ferry industry world-wide. There are currently 225 members (representing approximately 600 individuals) from 38 countries. Interferry was formed in 1976 in order to 1) research and collect information on developments within and affecting the ferry industry, 2) exchange information and technical data through an international network of members and 3) stimulate industry cooperation and advancement by providing a forum for people to share experiences and learn from others.

INTERTANKO
INTERTANKO is the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners. INTERTANKO has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that the oil that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. Membership is open to independent tanker owners and operators of oil and chemical tankers, i.e. non-oil companies and non-state controlled tanker owners, who fulfil the Association’s membership criteria. As of January 2015, the organization had 204 members, whose combined fleet comprises some 3,077 tankers totalling over 270 million dwt. INTERTANKO’s associate membership stands at some 236 companies related to the tanker industry. INTERTANKO is a forum where the industry meets, policies are discussed and statements are created. It is a valuable source of first-hand information, opinions and guidance. INTERTANKO stands for safe transport, cleaner seas and free competition.

International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP)
The IOGP is the worldwide association of oil and gas companies involved in exploration and production. It represents its members before international regulatory bodies, and has observer status as a non-governmental organisation with global and regional regulatory bodies who have an interest in marine environment protection.

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the international trade association for merchant ship operators. ICS represents the collective views of the international industry from different nations, sectors and trades. ICS membership comprises national shipowners’ associations representing over half of the world’s merchant fleet. A major focus of ICS activity is the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ­ the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment. ICS is heavily involved in a wide variety of areas including any technical, legal and operational matters affecting merchant ships.

International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions (IDUM)
The International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions (IDUM) is a non-governmental organization/Society founded in 2004 by Mr. Terrence P. Long following his appearance at a Canadian Senate Hearing with the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The IDUM’s mission is to promote the creation of an internationally binding treaty on all classes (biological, chemical, conventional, and radiological) of underwater munitions. This treaty would encourage countries to collaborate on underwater munitions policy, research, science, and responses including environmentally-friendly remediation in affected regions.

John Nurminen Foundation (JNF)
The John Nurminen Foundation (JNF) was founded in 1992. It is a private, non-governmental and non-profit organization aiming at the preservation of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. The Foundation implements its objectives for the Baltic Sea environment through the Clean Baltic Sea Projects, and, in addition, by contributing to the societal discussion and policy-making on environmental issues and actions, especially concerning nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea. The Clean Baltic Sea Projects have two main objectives: 1) Reducing eutrophication of the Sea by cutting annual phosphorus discharges to the Baltic Sea; and 2) Reducing significantly the risk of a major oil accident in the Baltic Sea by developing an electronic navigation support system ENSI. The John Nurminen Foundation works not only in Finland, but in the whole Baltic Sea drainage area.

Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation (KIMO International) 
​KIMO is an international association of Local Authorities, which was founded in Esbjerg, Denmark, in August 1990 to work towards cleaning up pollution in the North Sea. In 1994 it changed its remit to also include The Irish Sea, North East Atlantic and The Arctic Seas. It has over 128 members in 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Republic of Ireland with associate members in Germany,  the Faeroes Islands and the Isle Of Man. National Networks exist in each country and hold meetings on a regular basis.

Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE)
Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a Pan-EU organization representing small-scale low impact fishers, with a current membership of 28 organizations from 15 EU Member States with around 7,000 associated men and women fishers. LIFE represents those fishermen who tend to be smaller scale and have a low environmental impact but who at the same time have a high social and economic value within the communities they support and who support them. The aim of LIFE is to provide a clear and coherent voice at EU level for the fishers described above, who have historically lacked dedicated and effective representation in Brussels, in Regional Organizations and Bodies, as well as at Member State level. LIFE has been created in late 2012. Currently, LIFE has 7 Member Organizations operating in the Baltic Sea Region and catchment area.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The MSC, Marine Stewardship Council, is an international non-profit organization established to address the problem of unsustainable fishing, and safeguard seafood supplies for the future. The MSC program welcomes fisheries of all sizes from all the world’s oceans and has supply chain partners around the globe. We have offices in the USA, Canada, South America, Asia, South Africa, Australia and throughout Europe. Our board and Stakeholder Council have members from five continents.

Nordic Boat Council (NBC)
The Nordic Boat Council was established in 1969. It is a joint-non profit association working as the speaking body of the largest boating associations in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The members are: the Danish Sailing Union (Danish Sailing Federation, Danish Cruising Association), Sailing and boating in Finland, the Norwegian Boating Council (Royal Norwegian Boating Association and Norwegian Sailing Federation) and the Swedish Yachting Association. The presidency alternates every year between the members. The daily business is run by a General Secretary financed by membership fees.

Nordic Hunters’ Alliance (NHA)
The Nordic Hunters’ Alliance was established in 1947 and currently represents approximately 600,000 hunters and shooters in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

Oceana
Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation, protecting marine ecosystems and endangered species . Our offices in Europe, North America, Central America and South America work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. We believe in the importance of science in identifying problems and solutions. Our scientists work closely with our teams of economists, lawyers and advocates to achieve tangible results for the oceans.

PlasticsEurope
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU28 member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection. More than 1.45 million people are working in 62,000 companies (mainly small and medium sized companies in the converting sector) to create a turnover above 350 bn EUR per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers – represented by PlasticsEurope, converters – represented by EuPC – and machine manufacturers – represented by EUROMAP.

Race For The Baltic
Race For The Baltic is a solution- and business-oriented non-profit organisation founded by Zennström Philanthropies in 2013. Our mission is to improve the health of the Baltic Sea. To achieve the most impact, we focus our efforts on the pressing issue of eutrophication. We run concrete projects, selected based on their cost efficiency and impact potential. We have a strong track record of working with municipalities in a number of Baltic Sea region countries. We work in collaboration with researchers, governmental institutions, other non-profit organisations, the private sector and entrepreneurs. Race For The Baltic is based in Stockholm and works across the Baltic Sea region.

Sea Alarm Foundation
Sea Alarm advances and coordinates professional responses to oiled wildlife contingencies. Working in close collaboration with NGOs, government authorities and the oil and maritime industries, Sea Alarm initiates and facilitates strategic response preparedness activities. Sea Alarm also trains and coordinates a network of European and global wildlife response experts that are ready to respond to an oiled wildlife emergency within hours.

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts is a global organization, operating as an independent non-profit dedicated to serving the public. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by offering technical expertise, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress. Pew’s global environment program creates innovative solutions that are driven by science, inspired by partners, and focused on results to help people and the planet. Our mission includes fostering a healthier planet for all generations.

Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC)
UBC is the leading network of cities in the Baltic Sea Region with Member Cities from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. Founded in 1991 in Gdańsk, UBC is a voluntary network mobilizing the shared potential of its member cities to tackle challenges related to the social, environmental and economic development. UBC works through eight Commissions: Cultural Cities, Inclusive and Healthy Cities, Learning Cities, Planning Cities, Safe Cities, Smart and Prospering Cities, Sustainable Cities, and Youthful Cities.

Waste Free Oceans Foundation
Waste Free Oceans, started as a pilot project in 2011, has resulted in worldwide actions and the joining of forces in waste prevention, awareness raising, and also in cleanup and remediation actions on marine litter, working closely with the fishing communities and other key stakeholders. Waste Free Oceans is aiming to recycle as much collected litter as possible back into valuable products. Waste Free Oceans has reached partnership agreements with organisations like UNEP, WWF, Diplomatic Council, Europeche, EuPC, PlasticsRecyclersEurope and many more and has from the start been in close contacts with EU Commission and EU Parliament members. 

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
WWF is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law. Its mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity; ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable; promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.