The project focuses on the question of how the Baltic Sea region can become more resilient in the face of global challenges. To this end, it aims to establish sustainable research and knowledge transfer structures that connect academia, policymakers, and society. Among the planned initiatives is a Baltic Sea Monitor, which will provide information to strengthen societal resilience. In addition, the existing IFZO Geoportal will be continuously expanded with new insights into the region's development.
The new project builds on the findings of the research initiative "Fragmented Transformations: Perceptions, Constructions, and Conditions of a Region in Transition" (FragTrans), which received €9.2 million in funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) between 2021 and 2026. Within FragTrans, researchers at IFZO examined the profound transformations that have shaped the Baltic Sea region since the end of the Cold War. The consortium brings together scholars from political science, economics, history, communication studies, Scandinavian studies, Finnish studies, and geography.
Prof. Dr. Margit Bussmann, spokesperson for the FragTrans project, explains:
"Following the democratic transformations in East Germany and the neighbouring countries of Eastern Europe, new forms of cooperation emerged among the Baltic Sea states. At the same time, shared challenges—including security, climate change, the energy transition, environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea, and the preservation of cultural heritage—became increasingly important."
As part of FragTrans, researchers developed practical tools and policy recommendations. The IFZO Geoportal, for example, visualises long-term changes in land use and contributes to a better understanding of ecological developments. Research on energy supply demonstrated that sustainable and secure energy systems must be approached from a cross-border perspective. The project also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage, showing that traditional craftsmanship and historical techniques can help make societies more resilient to crises.
Prof. Dr. Clemens Räthel, spokesperson for IFZO and the newly funded Resilient Baltic Sea Region project, says:
"With this new funding initiative, we aim to further develop these findings and ensure their long-term impact. Our goal is to strengthen cooperation across the Baltic Sea region and to integrate scientific knowledge more effectively into societal and political decision-making processes."
Prof. Dr. Daniel Schiller, Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Greifswald, adds:
"The Baltic Sea region is one of the University of Greifswald's defining research priorities. This renewed federal funding reinforces our position as a leading centre for interdisciplinary Baltic Sea region research. At the same time, we are creating structures that make scientific expertise accessible to policymakers, public administration, businesses, and society. In doing so, we further strengthen the University of Greifswald's role as an important partner in fostering a resilient Baltic Sea region."
Weitere Informationen
Baltic Sea Region Research Priority
Contact at the University of Greifswald
Dr. Alexander Drost
Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO)
Bahnhofstraße 51
17489 Greifswald, Germany
Phone: +49 3834 420 3341
Email: ifzo@uni-greifswald.de