THE BALTIC SEA AWARD

Östersjöfonden (The Baltic Sea Foundation) has been awarding prizes to individuals and organizations for significant and outstanding contributions to the Baltic Sea environment since 1990. Altogether, we have awarded 117 persons and organisations over the years.

By highlighting those at the forefront of conservation efforts, we aim to demonstrate that individual contributions matter and that change and improvement are possible. We want to acknowledge these trailblazers for their valuable work and inspire them to continue. Through the awards, we also bring important Baltic Sea issues into public discussion, striving to influence decision-makers and public opinion.

Our awards are the Baltic Sea Award, the Youth Award, the Lasse Wiklöf Parliamentarian Award and the Åland Award. Read more about the awards here

Read about this year’s winners below. The Youth Award is announced in August and the other awards late September.

Questions? Contact sara.arons@ostersjofonden.org

Award Winners

Baltic Sea Award 2025

Heike Imhoff

Heike Imhoff is awarded the Baltic Sea Award 2025 for her long-standing and significant work for the Baltic Sea environment. As a legal expert and diplomat, she has for nearly three decades been a key figure in international cooperation around the Baltic Sea. She has helped negotiate the establishment of marine protected areas, stricter emission regulations, and brought issues such as eutrophication and marine litter high on the agenda. With her expertise and ability to build bridges between governments and organizations, she has laid the foundation for solutions that make a real difference for the future of the Baltic Sea.

Read the full news story and award motivation here
Film with Heike Imhoff (available subtitles: Swedish and English )

 

Åland Award 2025

Ulf Simolin

In his role as Environmental Coordinator for the City of Mariehamn, Ulf Simolin has carried out several initiatives that reduce the city’s impact on the Baltic Sea. Through wetlands, stormwater ponds, and other nature-based solutions, he has helped decrease nutrient leakage, strengthen fish stocks, and improve water quality. His ability to combine environmental benefits with recreation and knowledge-sharing, along with his drive to continually develop new collaborations and projects, makes him an inspiring role model in the work for a healthier sea.

Film about Ulf Simolin (English subtitles available)

Longer article about Ulf Simolin

The Youth Award 2025

Enya Ahldin och Filippa Söderbaum

Enya Ahldin and Filippa Söderbaum receives the Youth Award for their inspiring work in educating young sailors about marine knowledge and sustainable boating. As sailing instructors at the Royal Swedish Yacht Club’s summer camps, they have not only taught sailing and seamanship but also responsibility for the sea and the environment. Through an educational material they developed, now also shared via the Swedish Sailing Federation, they have made this knowledge accessible to sailing schools and young people across Sweden.

Film with Enya and Filippa (English subtitles available)

Longer article about Enya and Filippa