Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

The Helsinki Commission has approved the deletion of the five remaining municipal HELCOM Hot Spots (main pollution sites) in Poland. These hot spots included the municipal wastewater treatment plants in Katowice, Gliwice, Bytom, Łódź and Wrocław.

On March 28, 2025, the Helsinki Commission confirmed the deletion of these sites from the list after reviewing and approving a report submitted by the State Water Holding Polish Waters.

Poland has made significant progress in municipal wastewater treatment, particularly through the implementation of the National Programme for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. The previous deletion of Polish hot spots took place in 2015, when the modernization of wastewater treatment plants in Warsaw, Poznań and Kraków were completed.

“We are very gratified by this Polish success story, which testifies to the overall success of the work on hot spots under the Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme (JCP), initiated in 1992,” notes HELCOM Executive Secretary Rüdiger Strempel.

The 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan saw the countries around the Baltic Sea renew their commitment to eliminating the remaining hot spots identified under the JCP (Action HT23).

“On behalf of Polish Waters, I would like to thank all national and international partners involved for the cooperation that led to this important achievement. It is the result of consistent investment, infrastructure modernisation, and joint efforts to protect the Baltic Sea, as well as clear proof of effective international collaboration in the Baltic Sea region”, states Deputy President of State Holding Polish Waters Mrs. Alicja Michalik-Kucińska.

Overall, there are only 35 sites left from the original 162 significant pollution points identified in the Baltic Sea catchment area. Currently only nine municipal hot spots remain on the HELCOM hot spot list, located in Latvia (2), Russia (2), Belarus (3), Ukraine (1) and the Czech Republic (1).

To delete the remaining hot spots from the list, it must be demonstrated that they meet the regionally defined criteria, in this case regarding the quality of the treated wastewater and its impact on the surface water downstream. For municipal wastewater treatment plants, this includes compliance with HELCOM Recommendation 28/E on municipal wastewater treatment. This recommendation sets parameters for five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Additionally, compliance with HELCOM Recommendation 38/1 on sewage sludge handling is required.

Above: A map of HELCOM Hot Spots.

About HELCOM Hot Spots

The HELCOM Hot Spot list was established in 1992 by the Helsinki Commission to draw attention to the most important sources of pollution affecting the quality of the Baltic Sea waters. Among them there were large agglomerations with insufficient wastewater management (municipal point sources), industrial areas and areas of intensive agriculture. Under the Helsinki Convention, Contracting Parties of are obliged to take action to remove hot spots from the list. Deletion of a Hot Spot requires proof that effective measures have been taken in the area, the hot spot’s environmental impact has been eliminated, and that the contaminated areas have been remediated.

Contact

Eeva Nyyssönen
Communication Secretary
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been granted observer status to the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), marking a significant milestone in enhancing collaboration for marine conservation in the Baltic Sea region.

This development fulfills a commitment made by IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak during HELCOM’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2024, where she announced IUCN’s intention to apply for observer status.

IUCN’s application was approved by the 3rd Informal Consultation Session of the Helsinki Commission in March.

HELCOM currenty has 67 observers actively engaged in protecting the Baltic Sea, including:

• 2 governments 
• 20 intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
• 45 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

As observers, these entities are invited to participate in the meetings of various HELCOM bodies and are permitted to make statements. Additionally, HELCOM may extend invitations to non-member states of the Helsinki Convention to attend its meetings.

Read the announcement on the IUCN website

Contact

Eeva Nyyssönen
Communication Secretary
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi

Data Coordinator

We are currently seeking an experienced Data Coordinator to join our Secretariat team, to further develop HELCOM’s data collection and management work, and to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. The Data Coordinator’s main responsibility is overseeing HELCOM’s data collection, management and sharing activities, as well as implementing data solutions and facilitating data submissions.  Closing date: 13 April 2025

Go to vacancy announcement

Communications intern (PROTECT BALTIC project)

We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic communications intern to support the communications activities for Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day for the EU-funded PROTECT BALTIC project. The tasks require a creative individual with strong attention to detail, a process-oriented mindset, and effective planning skills. An interest in the environment, and marine protection in particular, is an advantage. Closing date: 20 April 2025

Go to vacancy announcement

Environmental Economist

We are currently seeking an experienced Environmental Economist to support the work of the PROTECT BALTIC project by carrying out tasks related to methodology for valuation of ecosystem services and assessment of ecosystem services in MPAs. The Environmental Economist’s main responsibility is on marine ecosystem service valuation projects management, coordinating partners and integrating results, while also researching methodologies and conducting assessments. Closing date: 30 April 2025

Go to vacancy announcement

Project Researcher

We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced professional and enthusiastic person to strengthen our team as a Project Researcher in the NESBp project and to finalize the remaining ReMAP project tasks. The tasks are expected to be carried out independently. However, the Project Researcher will cooperate with the HELCOM staff involved, who will provide general guidance. Closing date: 4 May 2025

Go to vacancy announcement

The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund has opened a new call for proposals aiming to improve the ecological state oThe Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund has opened a call for proposals, providing a funding opportunity for projects addressing key challenges facing the Baltic Sea. The fund can finance projects with the objectives and activities outlined in the Baltic Sea Action Plan to commercial or non-commercial partners for projects in the Baltic Sea region and its catchment area. Proposals will be accepted until 18 April.

The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Fund is an early-stage financing mechanism dedicated to expediting the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, which includes 200 concrete actions to be carried out by 2030, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthier Baltic Sea.

The BSAP Fund has now opened a new call for proposals, providing a funding opportunity for projects that address key challenges facing the Baltic Sea. New project proposals will be accepted until 18 April.

Financing can be awarded to commercial or non-commercial actors for projects in the Baltic Sea Region and its catchment area for demonstration purposes, project preparation and development, project implementation and institutional support. Applicants and projects that have previously received funding from the BSAP Fund are also eligible to apply. Read more about the application process and eligibility criteria and find the application form on nefco.int/BSAP.

Concrete projects supporting the Baltic Sea Action Plan

Since the establishment of the BSAP Fund in 2010, contributions from Finland and Sweden have totalled EUR 15 million, enabling the Fund to finance more than 70 projects. During the Fund’s 2023 financing round, EUR 1 million was granted for ten new projects to improve the health of the Baltic Sea.

Sectors financed by the BSAP Fund must address one or several areas highlighted in the Action Plan, including biodiversity, eutrophication, hazardous substances, sea-based activities and the elimination of HELCOM Hotspots.

How to apply for funding

• Visit nefco.int/BSAP and read the eligibility criteria
• Download the application form and fill in your project proposal
• Send your application to bsapfund@nefco.int by 18 April 2025

If you have questions regarding the application process or the eligibility criteria, you can contact bsapfund@nefco.int

About the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund

The aim of the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund is to help fund concrete projects, large or small, initialise promising solutions that can be scaled up, regardless of national borders. Since its establishment, the fund has financed over 70 projects. Currently, 15 projects are ongoing and 59 have been completed. These projects are spread out across the Baltic Sea watershed, including in Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund is co-managed by Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank – and the Nordic Investment Bank and funded by the governments of Finland and Sweden.

For further information about the BSAP Fund, please contact:

Dennis Hamro-Drotz, BSAP Fund Manager/Senior Programme Manager, Nefco
dennis.hamro-drotz@nefco.int, +358 10 6180 641

Read more on nefco.int/BSAP

The HELCOM Stakeholder Conference 2025, a one-day online event dedicated to discussing hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, will take place on 31 March 2025, from 10:00 to 16:00 EEST. Under the theme of the ‘One Baltic’ approach, the conference will explore the latest advancements in applying a holistic approach to managing hazardous substances to ensure a cleaner and healthier Baltic Sea.

The event is open to everyone, but pre-registration is required. Registration for this event has now closed.

The conference aims to bring together stakeholders from HELCOM Contracting Parties, industry representatives, NGOs, international organizations, civil society groups, and other interested individuals to discuss key actions supporting the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) goal: ‘A Baltic Sea unaffected by hazardous substances’.

The discussions will focus on implementing BSAP actions and the upcoming Regional Action Plan on Hazardous Substances (RAP HAZ), set to be finalized in 2025. Key topics include the current state of hazardous substances in the region, the impact of PFAS regulations, the risks associated with pharmaceuticals in the Baltic Sea, and the importance of a holistic regional approach to managing hazardous substances.

For more information and to view the provisional programme on the event page.

HELCOM has updated its data page to offer a more accessible and user-friendly experience, ensuring that all its data products are now easier to find and navigate.

HELCOM collects and maintains a wealth of data on the Baltic Sea, organizing it into various thematic databases accessible through online data portals and services. The newly updated page provides a clearer overview of these resources, making it simpler for users to explore and utilize the information.

HELCOM’s data products can be categorised in four groups:

• Data portals:  Currently, HELCOM hosts seven data portals, including the HELCOM Map and Data Service (MADS), which contains all geospatial data used in HELCOM assessments and reports.
• Databases: HELCOM hosts, co-hosts or contributes to 12 databases, covering key topics such as shipping accidents and oil spills. These databases are regularly updated, following regionally agreed reporting formats and quality assurance procedures.
• Data services: Beyond data access, HELCOM also offers data services that enable machine-to-machine communication, allowing GIS professionals, developers, and researchers to seamlessly integrate HELCOM datasets into their workflows.
• Data services: A variety of software tools, developed specifically for HELCOM assessments, are also available through HELCOM’s GitHub repositories.

To explore the updated data page and access HELCOM’s data products, visit: https://helcom.fi/baltic-sea-trends/data

Contact:

Joni Kaitaranta
Senior Data Manager, HELCOM
joni.kaitaranta@helcom.fi

Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of HELCOM, reflects on Finland’s special connection with HELCOM and the organisation’s regional efforts to protect the Baltic Sea

On 18th March 1974, the Finnish Postal Service issued a stamp and first-day cover to commemorate the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area. Four days later, the Conference adopted the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, or Helsinki Convention. This was a milestone in a process in which Finland has continuously played a pivotal part. In this article, I would like to recall why a story that began more than fifty years ago still matters – and the special role of Finland in writing it.

The commemorative stamp depicted a flock of seagulls above a deep blue sea and bore the inscription “The Baltic Sea – our environment” in Finnish and Swedish. Sadly, however, by the 1970s, that environment was severely compromised, and the Baltic Sea was considered the most polluted sea in the world. Without decisive action on the part of the Baltic Sea states, it was at risk of spiralling into the abyss of ecological apocalypse.

Regional efforts to protect the Baltic Sea since 1972

In 1972, Finland spurred those states to action. An initiative that Finland, due to its special role in the bipolar Cold War world order, was uniquely well-placed to take and that matched the overall fabric of the country’s foreign policy. In the course of 1973, it hosted and chaired three intergovernmental expert meetings on the Baltic Sea in Helsinki, bringing together the then-seven Baltic Sea states: Denmark, Finland, the German Democratic Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Poland, the Soviet Union, and Sweden.

These efforts were crowned with success, and by early 1974, the process was brought to a successful conclusion at the Diplomatic Conference.

It took another six years for the agreement, a front- runner in international marine environmental law as the first international treaty globally to protect a regional sea from all sources of pollution, to enter into force. During that time, the governing body provided for in the Convention, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), met six times in a provisional format, the so-called Interim Commission (IC).

Finland hosted and chaired all six of those meetings, as well as roughly one-fourth of the meetings of the technical Working Groups established by the IC. It also provided an interim Secretariat. In 1980, the Commission’s first regular meeting occurred in Helsinki, and the permanent HELCOM Secretariat was established. It became the first international organisation to permanently establish its headquarters in the Finnish capital, where it is still located today.

And Finland’s close involvement with HELCOM continued beyond the inception phase. As the organisation’s host country, it has continuously supported HELCOM work both financially and substantively. Finland has hosted four HELCOM Ministerial Meetings – more than any other country. Moreover, when the geopolitical changes of the late 1980s and early 1990s and advancements in international environmental law and policy necessitated a revision of the Convention, Finland again played a key role in facilitating this process and ensuring that HELCOM remained fit for purpose.

In April 1992, Helsinki’s iconic Finlandia Hall was the venue of another Diplomatic Conference under Finnish chairmanship, which adopted the revised Helsinki Convention. The 1992 Convention has ten Contracting Parties, all Baltic Sea States, and the European Union, reflecting the geopolitical realignment following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc. In force since 2000, it has stood the test of time and remains the basis of HELCOM’s work to this day.

And that work is crucially important. Water knows no boundaries, and no one country can achieve marine protection on its own. For five decades, HELCOM has provided Baltic Sea states with a platform for the regional exchange, dialogue and cooperation required to tackle the formidable challenges faced by their common sea. It is a multilateral success story, leading to improvements in the state of the Baltic Sea environment and thereby benefitting nature and people across the region.

Yet, it has not been an unqualified success. The condition of the Sea remains deplorable, as documented by the third Holistic Assessment of the State of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS 3), published by HELCOM in 2023. Already ailing, our sea is severely affected by the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. But the assessment also offers hope. Decades of monitoring and assessment under the auspices of HELCOM have vastly expanded our knowledge of the Baltic Sea.

Moreover, HOLAS 3, the most comprehensive assessment of its kind to date, also shows that if duly implemented, regional measures will lead to an improvement in the sea’s condition.

HELCOM’s 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan (2021 BSAP) lays out a broad range of such measures, along with a roadmap for their implementation, clearly indicating what needs to be done and by when. While the costs of such measures may seem daunting, the high cost of inaction, also evidenced by HOLAS 3, makes them a critically important long-term investment that we cannot afford not to make.

Achieving good environmental status for the Baltic Sea

Fifty years after HELCOM’s establishment, the organisation’s job is far from done, and protecting the Baltic Sea requires continued, sustained multilateral efforts. It can, therefore, reasonably be said that if HELCOM did not exist, it would need to be invented. Fortunately, however, it does exist.

While the current challenging geopolitical situation has forced the organisation to modify its operational procedures, it remains largely on track in implementing the 2021 BSAP. In line with the bold vision that originated in Finland over half a century ago, HELCOM is poised to continue catalysing and crystallising joint regional efforts towards achieving good environmental status for the Baltic Sea – our environment.

This article was first published in Open Access Government. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of HELCOM or its Contracting Parties.

For HELCOM, 2024 has been a truly special year, marking the organization’s 50th anniversary. On April 25th, 2024, this milestone was celebrated with a special event in Riga, Latvia. Hosted in the impressive Ziedonis Hall at the Latvian National Library, the occasion brought together distinguished speakers, panelists, and approximately 150 participants from across and beyond the Baltic Sea region.

To conclude our 50th anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to present a commemorative volume. This publication features the insightful and thought-provoking contributions of the speakers, panelists, and moderators from the Riga event. It also includes rarely seen images that capture moments from HELCOM’s 50-year history.

Download the publication here.

Contact

Eeva Nyyssönen
Communication Secretary
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi

How did the idea for Ecosfera Baltica come about?

Jannica: We had just finalised the third holistic assessment of the status of the Baltic Sea and were trying to figure out how the ecology and dynamics of the Baltic Sea could be communicated to a wider audience.

I’d heard about the original Ecosfera game, and when discussing it with Owen, he jokingly suggested it could be a great way to illustrate how the Baltic Sea ecosystem functions and how humans impact it. We then approached Albert at Julibert Games, the creator of Ecosfera, to see what he thought of the idea.

Owen: When a call for proposals from the Nessling Foundation came up, we decided to go for it. We developed a plan for a game that would be fun to play while embedding information and messages aimed at the public and educational organizations around the Baltic Sea. Fortunately, the Nessling Foundation recognised the potential in our concept!

How did you go about developing and testing the game?

Owen: First, we had to play a lot of the original Ecosfera game to understand its dynamics, intricacies and variations. From there, we discussed how to adjust the gameplay to fit the Baltic Sea, identify the key species and habitats to include and make it more educational.

Jannica: One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the simplification of the complex the Baltic Sea ecosystem while maintaining the ecological relevance. But it’s amazing how well the ecological and social processes we work with daily translated into a card-game!

Owen: The level of interest and excitement about the game has been incredible – not just from the HELCOM Secretariat staff but also from members of HELCOM Expert and Working Groups. They have given us valuable feedback on habitat and species lists as well as the game logic.

Jannica: We launched the first prototypes of the game at SPIEL, the world’s largest boardgame fair in Germany. Over four days, nearly 350 people tested the game! We have also conducted multiple testing rounds with topic experts to resolve inconsistencies and fix imbalances.

Owen: We also took the game to a primary school in Helsinki for kids to test-play. They had a lot of fun, and their feedback gave us some useful insights on marketing the game to suitable age groups.

What do you personally like most about the game?

Owen: The artwork is really striking, but my main hope is that the game makes our work more accessible and helps inspire the change in mindset we so desperately need.

Jannica: I love how the game requires the players to work together to solve problems! This collaboration is a good reflection of reality. The game mimics a real socio-ecological system, albeit a highly simplified one. I also really like how it explores our relationship with the environment.

What can we expect to learn from the game?

Owen: Players will discover that the Baltic Sea is a fascinating ecosystem full of interesting species, and that us humans are part of this ecosystem. While we can cause harm, we also have the power to provide solutions or prevent damage in the first place. The educational aspects are built subtly into the gameplay. Additional details will be available for those who want to dig deeper, but players can also pick this information up naturally as they play.

Who should play the game?

Jannica: Anyone aged 8 and up! The game includes several levels of difficulty and two levels of complexity, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. The basic version is language-independent using images, symbols and scientific names. While the included rulebook is in English, we plan to provide translations in all Baltic Sea languages as free online downloads.

Owen: We have also teamed up with Reaktor to digitalize the boardgame, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Ecosfera Baltica is due to launch early 2025. To ensure your copy of Ecosfera Baltica once it is ready, you can sign up for the Ecosfera Baltica Kickstarter campaign. The campaign is set to launch on 1 March 2025, and games will be delivered by June 2025.

See more

Ecosfera Baltica: A game to save the Baltic Sea
Ecosfera Baltica Kickstarter campaign

Contact

Eeva Nyyssönen
Communication Secretary, HELCOM
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi
+358 40 6473996

A groundbreaking initiative is harnessing the power of gaming to inspire action for the restoration of the Baltic Sea. Ecosfera Baltica, developed by HELCOM and Julibert Games, merges science, sustainability, and strategy into an engaging and fun collaborative game experience aimed at all ages.

The Baltic Sea faces significant environmental challenges, as highlighted by the State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report. Ecosfera Baltica brings these findings to life by educating players on the complex interplay of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact our activities have on the sea. Available in both a tabletop boardgame and a digital version, the game encourages cooperation, critical thinking, and empathy while emphasising actionable solutions for a sustainable future.

“Games have been proven to help players foster empathy, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage critical thinking, ultimately driving social change by encouraging players to take action in the real world,” concludes Jannica Haldin, who coordinates the project at HELCOM together with Owen Rowe. In a recent educational workshop, participants examined how goksites zonder limieten can integrate these game-based benefits to design more engaging and responsible gambling experiences. By leveraging the insights from the workshop, developers are better equipped to create platforms that not only entertain but also contribute positively to users’ cognitive and social development.

The game features scientifically accurate scenarios, multiple levels of complexity, and accessibility options to appeal to players of all ages and backgrounds. Funded by the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, Ecosfera Baltica is set for release in early 2025.

The digital multiplayer version, developed in collaboration with Reaktor, aims to make the game more accessible, thereby expanding its reach to schools and other educational institutions across the Baltic Sea region.

How to access the game?

Both versions of the game (digital and tabletop board game) are due to launch early 2025. To ensure your copy of Ecosfera Baltica board game once it is ready, you can sign up for the Ecosfera Baltica Kickstarter campaign. You will then be notified once the campaign launches on 1 March 2025, with further details on how to place on order.

See also

An interview with Jannica Haldin and Owen Rowe
Ecosfera Baltica Kickstarter campaign

Contact

Jannica Haldin
jannica.haldin@helcom.fi
+358 40 485 5905

Eeva Nyyssönen
eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi
+358 40 6473996