Alandsbanken Baltic Sea Project

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Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-10 14:04

Private sector initiative by Alandsbanken that actively disburses funds to various Baltic Sea conservation endeavors. Over 10 years of operation funding marine conservation projects. Distributes approximately 550,000 EUR annually to Baltic Sea protection initiatives.

Source: https://itameriprojekti.fi/en/news/the-ten-year-old-baltic-sea-project-invites-you-to-take-action

Funding Details

Funder: Ålandsbanken Baltic Sea Project
Funding Goal: Grant funding for projects that improve the state of the Baltic Sea, including water quality improvement, biodiversity conservation, digital innovations, local water protection, and environmental education and awareness initiatives.
Funding Amount: Approximately EUR 550,000-615,000 distributed annually; total of nearly EUR 5 million since launch in 2015
Deadline: Annual, typically January 1 - February 28 (periodic)
How to Apply: Submit application via online funding application form at itameriprojekti.fi/en/apply-for-funding/funding-application/ during the annual open period (January–February)
Target Region: Baltic Sea region
Official Page: https://itameriprojekti.fi/en/apply-for-funding/
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 14:15

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include individuals, companies, foundations, NGOs, and research institutions

Project Scope

Project must directly contribute to improving the ecological condition of the Baltic Sea
Funding categories: Cleanliness (water quality), Biodiversity, or Future (innovation/education)

Required Documents

Application submitted via the online funding application form during January 1 – February 28

Constraints

Primary goal must be long-term impact and sustainable initiatives, not short-term actions

Summary

The Ålandsbanken Baltic Sea Project is a private sector initiative run by the Finnish-Swedish bank Ålandsbanken (founded 2015). It provides annual grant funding for projects that improve the ecological condition of the Baltic Sea. The fund distributes approximately EUR 550,000–615,000 per year and has granted nearly EUR 5 million in total since its launch. Thematic priorities are organised into three categories. The Cleanliness category funds projects improving water quality and ecosystem vitality, including removal of toxic substances, pharmaceuticals from wastewater, and harmful pollutants. The Biodiversity category supports restoration and conservation of Baltic Sea species and habitats, environmentally friendly agriculture, and biodiversity-enhancing technologies. The Future category backs startups and digital innovations creating new solutions for Baltic Sea health, as well as environmental education, awareness campaigns, and attitude change projects. Eligible activities include research projects, environmental restoration work, innovation development, educational programmes, and stakeholder engagement campaigns. Both early-stage ideas and mature initiatives can apply. The program encourages bold, creative approaches that can scale globally. Geographic scope is the Baltic Sea region, with funded projects in Finland, Sweden, the Åland Islands, and other Baltic littoral countries. Past grantees include projects in the Finnish Archipelago Sea and on the Åland Islands. Eligible applicants include individuals, companies, foundations, NGOs, and research institutions. No partnership requirements are specified. The fund also makes direct institutional grants to organisations such as WWF, John Nurminen Foundation, and BSAG. Grant amounts vary by project and category; the annual total is approximately EUR 550,000–615,000. No co-funding requirement is stated. Applications are accepted once per year during an open window from January 1 to February 28.

Historical Context

Program launched in 2015 by Ålandsbanken. As of 2025, the fund has distributed nearly EUR 5 million total. In 2023, EUR 615k was granted. Annual application rounds run January 1 – February 28. Collaborates with John Nurminen Foundation, BSAG, and WWF.

Why it was added

Finnish private bank-funded initiative providing sustained annual funding for Baltic Sea conservation projects

Sources

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