President Tarja Halonen has been appointed Patron of Östersjöfonden. In this role, President Halonen will support the Foundation’s long-term work for the Baltic Sea and help draw attention to the people and initiatives making a difference for the sea. Östersjöfonden was established in Åland in 1989 through a donation from businessman Anders Wiklöf and has […]
Professor Jan Marcin Węsławski of Poland has been awarded the Baltic Sea Award 2026 for his significant and long-standing contribution to Baltic Sea research. For more than four decades, he has studied marine ecosystems while also working to make scientific knowledge accessible beyond academia. In Poland, he has become a prominent voice for the Baltic […]
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 […]
It started as a school project in Gdynia, Poland. But where others saw a temporary school assignment, Szymon Kwidziński saw an opportunity to continue making a difference for the Baltic Sea. Since then, his project See the Sea has grown, engaging hundreds of people through events, education and partnerships. Now he receives Östersjöfonden’s Youth Award […]
It has been three years since the Baltic Sea Foundation last presented its award for political commitment to the Baltic Sea. Now, that gap comes to an end. Swedish Member of Parliament Emma Nohrén receives the Lasse Wiklöf Award for her long-standing work for the marine environment and her ability to build political consensus across […]
Who has made an outstanding contribution to the Baltic Sea in recent years? Throughout September, Östersjöfonden will announce this year’s four award winners– one each week. Since 1989, Östersjöfonden has recognised individuals and organisations whose work contributes to a healthier Baltic Sea. Through our awards, we want to highlight people who demonstrate that commitment, knowledge […]
As a lawyer and diplomat, she has played a crucial role. Heike Imhoff is awarded the Baltic Sea Award 2025 for her long-standing commitment to the Baltic Sea environment. At the German HELCOM* delegation and the German Ministry for the Environment, Heike Imhoff has combined legal expertise with diplomacy and a fine sense of judgment. […]
Ulf Simolin, Environmental Coordinator for the City of Mariehamn, is awarded the Baltic Sea Foundation’s Åland award 2025 of €3,000. He is recognized for his successful work in developing solutions that reduce the city’s negative impact on the Baltic Sea. In Mariehamn, Ulf has been the driving force behind the creation of several wetlands and […]
With passionate commitment and innovative educational materials, two young sailing instructors have shown how the next generation can become both better sailors and better friends of the sea. Enya Ahldin and Filippa Söderbaum are now receiving the Baltic Sea Foundation’s Youth Award 2025. The Baltic Sea Foundation Youth Award is awarded annually to people under […]
