The Baltic Sea suffers from an overdose of nutrients and many other environmental threats. The concern on the poor state of the Baltic Sea has been shared among countries and actors bordering the sea, and many initiatives and protection plans have been launched. In addition to actions carried out at the institutional level, also the level of individual citizens has to be acknowledged. Awareness raising and participation is needed to promote involvement of the general public, to bring forth everyday choices making a positive effect and to strengthen a common “Baltic Sea identity”.

This publication summarises the first experiences of the BalticSeaNow.info project in public participation. The project, funded through the EU Central Baltic Interreg IVA 2007–2013 Programme and coordinated by the Turku University of Applied Sciences, develops and introduces innovative communication tools to foster information sharing and discussion about the Baltic Sea environment. It is an international joint venture between actors from Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia, representing universities, research institutions, NGOs and companies. The project consists of a web portal (www.balticseanow.info) and events organised in partner countries.

The publication at hand presents cases in public participation to be used in other contexts requiring public involvement measures, and outlines project motives and its theoretical background.