Nominations Sought from the Around the Region for the

2008 Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award

Nomination Deadline is May 5, 2008

Stockholm/March 2008 – To recognise direct and practical initiatives that contribute to improvement in the Baltic Sea’s water quality, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs is now inviting nominations for 2008 the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award. 

Nominations for this year’s award are being accepted until May 5, 2008, 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 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm, August 17-23.

Nominating Criteria

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, and policy development.

Emphasis 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.

Previous Recipients

Ecodefense of Kaliningrad, Russia, received the 2007 Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award for its efforts to increase knowledge on and awareness of the Baltic Sea water environment. Their work included the “Clean Rivers – Clean Baltic Sea” campaign and other projects to protect water resources in the Baltic.

Former Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award Laureates are:

2006, Mr. Björn Carlson, Sweden  

2005, Vodokanal St. Petersburg and its General Director, Mr. Felix Karmazinov

2004, Nature Management and Water Environment Division of Funen County Administration, Denmark

2003, Frantschach Swiecie SA, Poland

2002, Lithuanian Housing and Urban Development Foundation

2001, Mr. Leonid Korovin, St. Petersburg, Russia

2000, City of Gdansk, Poland

1999, PURAC of Poland

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.

SIWI – Independent and Leading-Edge Water Competence for Future-Oriented Action
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) 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.

For more information, contact:

Stephanie Blenckner, SIWI

Stephanie.blenckner@siwi.org

Josh Paglia, SIWI

josh.paglia@siwi.org