The Baltic Sea region covers a significant area of northern Europe representing nearly a fifth of the EU population. Over the past few years, issues of preparedness have emerged strongly in the region.

BALTPREP project improves and optimises the quality and interoperability of the Red Cross regional response capacity for major accidents and strengthens the collaboration between Red Cross National Societies and civil protection authorities within the Baltic Sea Region. The project strengthens collaboration and regional preparedness in and between seven EU member states: Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

By the end of the project, capacities and interoperability in Psychosocial Support (PSS) in emergencies are increased, co-operation between civil protection and humanitarian aid actors are enhanced and trans-border and macro regional co-operation are improved.

The participating countries will benefit from a better understanding of existing response capacities and assets around the region, more trained staff and volunteers, and a solid sub-regional framework for preparedness by established working group and preparedness planning.

The regional response capacities are tested in a table-top exercise to capture findings and lessons learnt for further regional development.

The region benefits from improved coordination, quality and interoperability of existing response capacities and more efficient and standardized assistance in case of an emergency.

The participating Red Cross National Societies are Finnish Red Cross (RC), Estonian RC, Latvian RC, Lithuanian RC, Polish RC, German RC, and Danish RC. In addition, Swedish and Russian Red Cross Societies participate in project activities.

The BALTPREP project is funded by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

For more information, please contact: Maria Katajisto, tel. +358 40 359 0603. E-mail: maria.katajisto@redcross.fi