BSAP Fund: Improving the ecological wellbeing of the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund (BSAP Fund) is managed by NIB and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO). It was initiated by Sweden in Finland in 2010
The BSAP Fund is an early-stage financing mechanism dedicated to expediting the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP). The BSAP Fund facilitates and accelerates the preparation and implementation of projects that address the key challenges facing the Baltic Sea.
We finance private and public sector projects across the Baltic Sea region including cross boundary projects.
Early-stage financial support for projects across the Baltic Sea
Given the transboundary nature of many of the challenges facing the Baltic Sea, projects often need early-stage financial support for initiation and assessment of potential solutions. The support of the BSAP Fund enables project testing and evaluation of replicability and scalability, as well as assessment of financial viability.
Since the establishment of the BSAP Fund, more than 70 projects have received financing. The projects are spread across the Baltic Sea region. Most of the financed projects involve nutrient recycling, manure management, small-scale sanitation plants, wastewater treatment, alternative fuels, or harbour facilities for wastewater management.
Funding for addressing eutrophication, biodiversity and pollution
Although 97 per cent of the Baltic Sea is still impacted by eutrophication, the sea has experienced substantial environmental improvements thanks to various efforts in the catchment area. For example, the BSAP Fund has financed project preparation for several wastewater treatment plants across the Baltic Sea area.
The BSAP Fund has also made significant contributions towards fostering a healthy and resilient Baltic Sea ecosystem. About 80% of funded projects address biodiversity conservation or pollution prevention.
The BSAP Fund is a tool to accelerate concrete actions on marine biodiversity and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the environmental political agenda of the countries in the Baltic Sea catchment area.
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