Ann Nedergård receives award for her work for clean water in Åland
Ann Nedergård is the recipient of Östersjöfonden’s Åland Award 2026 for her long-standing and dedicated work to improve water quality in Åland. For many years, she has advanced water-related issues through knowledge, collaboration and concrete action.
Ann Nedergård currently works as a water strategist at Ålands Vatten and has previously worked with environmental and sustainability issues at the Government of Åland. She has played a central role in Åland’s sustainability work, both in the development of its sustainability strategy and, more specifically, in coordinating the goal of good water quality.
Over the years, Ann Nedergård has initiated and led a wide range of efforts to improve water quality in Åland, focusing both on the Baltic Sea and on drinking water. An important part of her work has been to identify new opportunities for collaboration and funding, and to bring different stakeholders together around shared solutions.
Her work has been particularly important in raising awareness of the connection between activities on land and the quality of Åland’s lakes and coastal waters – and ultimately the Baltic Sea. Among other things, she has worked closely with the Åland agricultural sector to share knowledge and find practical solutions that can help retain nutrients in the soil.
– Ann combines extensive knowledge with a remarkable ability to turn ideas into action. She builds partnerships, shares her expertise and inspires others to get involved and contribute. Her commitment has made an important contribution to water protection in Åland and represents exactly the kind of effort we want to recognise with the Åland Award, says Sara Arons, Managing Director of Östersjöfonden.
An important part of Ann Nedergård’s work has also been to make water-related issues understandable and relevant to a wider audience. By combining scientific knowledge with practical action, communication and collaboration, she has helped build both knowledge and engagement for clean water in Åland. One example is Vattenskydd.ax, a website initiated by Ann Nedergård.
Award motivation
Ann Nedergård receives the award for her dedicated and long-standing work to improve water quality in Åland. She is a true driving force in water-related issues, firmly grounded in science and with both the ability to make things happen and the perseverance to see them through. In her roles at the Government of Åland and Ålands Vatten, she has continuously identified relevant new development projects and different ways of securing funding for them. Her commitment extends far beyond what can be expected in a professional role. Among other things, Ann Nedergård has initiated several projects that inspire and support Åland farmers in their efforts to reduce nutrient losses to the Baltic Sea. She creates collaboration, shares knowledge, inspires engagement and empowers others. Through her way of working, she encourages more people to care about the Baltic Sea and the importance of clean water.
Ann Nedergård will receive Östersjöfonden’s Åland Award at the Baltic Sea Awards in Mariehamn on 2 October 2026.
About the Åland Award
The Åland Award is one of Östersjöfonden’s four awards and recognises significant contributions with a particular connection to Åland.
Contact
Sara Arons, Managing Director, Östersjöfonden
+358 457 345 9889 (AX)
+46 733 72 00 96 (SE)
sara.arons@ostersjofonden.org
Ann Nedergård, award recipient
+358 40 747 1333
ann.nedergard@vatten.ax
Material
Photos of Ann: https://ostersjofonden.org/pressbilder-ann-nedergard/
Film about Ann: https://vimeo.com/1227640144