BSAP Fund (Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund) by Nefco

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 12:15

Early-stage financing mechanism managed by Nefco for HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan implementation. Since 2010, EUR 16 million into 80+ projects across Baltic nations. 2025 call selected 8 new projects for EUR 1.3 million. Covers marine litter, pollution prevention, biodiversity.

Source: https://nefco.int/financing/other-regions/baltic-sea-action-plan-fund

Funding Details

Funder

Nefco / Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) — BSAP Fund

Funding Goal

Finance early-stage preparation and implementation of projects addressing key ecological challenges in the Baltic Sea, accelerating the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) goals for 2030.

Funding Amount

EUR 1.3 million total for 8 projects in the 2025 call (~EUR 162,500 average per project). No explicit per-project cap stated; historically grants fund early-stage/preparatory activities. Total portfolio: EUR 16 million+ across 80+ projects since 2010. (50.000 € – 300.000 €)

Deadline

Annual call — 2025 round closed (deadline: 18 April 2025). Next call expected early 2026 (not yet announced as of March 2026). (Rolling)

How to Apply

Submit application during annual open call (typically February–April). Contact bsapfund@nefco.int or Dennis Hamro-Drotz for guidance. Fact sheet and list of approved projects available on Nefco website under Related Documents.

Target Region

Baltic Sea region (8 countries): Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden. Cross-boundary projects eligible.

Contact

Dennis Hamro-Drotz, Acting Head of Department, Special Funds — dennis.hamro-drotz@nefco.int — +358 10 6180 607. General fund inquiries: bsapfund@nefco.int. General Nefco contact: info@nefco.int / +358 10 618 003.

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:18

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must be located in or cross-boundary across Baltic Sea catchment countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden)
• Applicant must be a private or public sector entity — NGOs, companies, municipalities, research institutes all appear eligible

Project Scope

• Project must directly address HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan priorities (eutrophication, biodiversity, marine litter, hazardous substances, pollution, or fisheries)
• Project should be in early-stage / preparatory phase; focus on demonstration, testing, and assessment of replicability and scalability
• Project should demonstrate potential to leverage additional investment (fund targets 7x leverage ratio)
• Cross-boundary projects are especially welcomed; demonstrate transboundary environmental benefit where possible

Required Documents

• Prepare project description, financial plan, and environmental impact rationale aligned with BSAP goals

Constraints

• Application must be submitted during the annual open call window (typically February–April)

Summary

The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund (BSAP Fund) is an early-stage grant mechanism co-managed by Nefco and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), established in 2010 by Sweden and Finland to accelerate implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. The fund targets concrete, demonstrable projects across the eight Baltic Sea catchment countries that address the sea's key environmental challenges: eutrophication, biodiversity loss, marine litter, hazardous substances, pollution, and related issues. The program has a strong leverage effect — every euro of BSAP funding generates seven additional euros in complementary investment. Since its establishment, the fund has financed over 74 projects. Typical grant recipients work on nutrient recycling, wastewater treatment, manure management, sanitation, harbor waste facilities, wetland restoration, and marine pollution reduction. Approximately 80% of funded projects focus on biodiversity conservation or pollution prevention. The fund actively seeks projects with demonstration value, replicability, and scalability potential. Annual calls are issued, typically opening in early spring with an April deadline. The 2025 call (deadline April 18, 2025) attracted a record number of applications; eight projects were selected to receive a combined EUR 1.3 million to begin work in 2026. Both private and public sector applicants from Baltic Sea countries are eligible, including cross-boundary projects. The fund also welcomes new financial contributors to its pool. The BSAP Fund aligns with UN SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and serves as a concrete mechanism for HELCOM member countries to achieve the ecological restoration goals of the Baltic Sea by 2030.

Historical Context

Established 2010 by Sweden and Finland. Co-funded also by the Nordic Environmental Development Fund (NMF) / Nordic Council of Ministers. Annual calls documented: 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025. 74 projects financed by end of 2023; 80+ total per snippet. 2025 call: record applications received; 8 projects selected for EUR 1.3 million. Projects begin implementation in 2026.

Why it was added

Directly funds Baltic Sea marine litter projects under HELCOM RAP ML, relevant for OPF plastic-circular

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