Nominations Sought for 2006 Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award
Nomination Deadline is May 2, 2006; On-line Nominating Possible at www.siwi.org
Stockholm/January 31, 2006 – To recognise direct and practical initiatives that contribute to improvement in the Baltic Sea’s water quality, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has since 1999 presented a special environmental prize, the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award.
Nominations for this year’s award are being accepted until May 2, 2006, and are sought from the business, scientific and environmental communities as well as private individuals in the Baltic Sea region.
The award seeks to highlight what different stakeholders have done individually or collectively to improve the Baltic Sea’s water environment. The award can be presented to an individual, organisation, company, or an authority in any of the Baltic Sea countries.
The award winner receives a 100,000 SEK prize sum, crystal sculpture, diploma and travel and accommodation to participate in the 2006 World Water Week in Stockholm (www.worldwaterweek.org), August 20-26, 2006. A jury appointed by the Swedish Government reviews the nominations and selects the winner.
Broad Categories for Nominations!
The work of the nominee to improve water quality in the Baltic Sea region can be among, but is not limited to, the following areas:
• Technology development and implementation
• Applied research
• Direct action
• Education and training
• Information and shaping of public opinion
• Policy development
Emphasis for the award is placed on efforts that have had visible and measurable effects on the water resources in the Baltic Sea region, particularly in the areas of water resource management, new or increased research, new or improved technology or better understanding and respect for water resources.
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the award on behalf of the Swedish Government. Nomination forms and criteria are available from SIWI: send an e-mail to siwi@siwi.org or download the nomination brochure from www.siwi.org. Nominations can also be made on-line via SIWI's home page.
Previous Recipients Show Diversity in Baltic Sea Work!
In 2005, Vodokanal St. Petersburg and its General Director, Mr. Felix Karmazinov, received the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award as the driving forces behind completion of the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP). By cleaning 330,000 cubic metres of wastewater daily, the SWTP contributes to an improved water quality in the Baltic Sea.
In 2004, The Nature Management and Water Environment Division of Funen County Administration in Denmark received the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award. The authority’s high professional standards, visionary strategies and strong commitment to the environment resulted in cleaner water not just in Denmark, but also along the country’s Baltic coast and elsewhere in the region.
In 2003, Frantschach Swiecie SA, a pulp and paper industry in Poland, received the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award for contributions which have had a clear and positive effect on the environment and the Baltic Sea. Through facility improvements utilising best available technologies (BATs), Frantschach Swiecie achieved considerable reduction in pollutants discharged to the Vistula River and the Baltic Sea.
In 2002, the Lithuanian Housing and Urban Development Foundation was honoured for innovative programs and projects that have contributed to a considerable reduction of Lithuania’s organic pollution
to the Baltic Sea. The overall approach can serve as a model for other regions in the Baltic Sea area.
In 2001 Mr. Leonid Korovin from St. Petersburg, Russia, was awarded for his commendable contribution to the development of a series of activities aiming to safeguard the water environment in the part
of the Baltic Sea nearest to the St. Petersburg area, which emits very large amounts of pollutants into the Baltic Sea.
In 2000 the City of Gdansk was honoured for being the driving force behind the establishment of the Wschod wastewater treatment works, which receives and cleans wastewater from Gdansk and four other Polish cities and populated areas. The Wschod works has had a very clear, positive effect on the water quality in the Bay of Gdansk, a part of the Baltic Sea.
In 1999 PURAC of Poland won the first Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award by building several new, advanced wastewater and water treatment plants along major rivers running into the Baltic Sea.
These projects have helped to improve the marine environment in the Baltic Sea.
For more information, contact:
David Trouba, SIWI
+46 (0)8-522 139 89, dave.trouba@siwi.org
Maria Stenström, SIWI
+46 (0)8-522 139 78, maria.stenstrom@siwi.org
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The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to find solutions to the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world’s water resources and sustainable development of societies.