BSR-NOVA: New Baltic Sea Region Network for Volunteers and Authorities in Civil Protection

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Baltic Sea Region Network of Volunteer Organisations and Authorities (BSR-NOVA) was officially launched on 5 September 2024.

The Network is established based on the groundwork laid by the subgroup of volunteers and local actors (2020-2024). This subgroup was initiated by Finland under the EUSBSR Policy Area Secure and CBSS Civil Protection Network.

BSR-NOVA, chaired by the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) and coordinated by the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) , aims to strengthen international cooperation and enhance joint preparedness for both regional and international crises among authorities, volunteer organisations, and citizens in the field of civil protection.

The network aims to serve as a hub for sharing innovative ideas, tools, reliable data, and policy guidance on civil protection issues. One of its key missions is to elevate the role of volunteers and provide a space for sharing knowledge and strategies on international and regional standards for voluntary work that can be adapted across the region.

The launch event sparked lively discussions and powerful insights, with network members showcasing a series of case studies highlighting both the successes and challenges in fostering effective collaboration between civil society organisations and public authorities.

Inese Vaivare from the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) underscored the critical importance of involving civil society in every aspect of crisis planning. She emphasised that NGOs must have a consistent presence at decision-making tables to ensure comprehensive strategies are developed. “We cannot do fragmented work,” Vaivare stressed. “NGOs must be engaged on a daily basis.” She also noted the importance of building trust between civil society and government, highlighting how NGOs can often address gaps that authorities overlook.

Risto Mertala from the Lapland Police Authority discussed how volunteers assist the police in search and rescue operations in Lapland. He explained the “Managing Search Operations (MSO) Lapland” method, noting, “Cooperation with volunteers in Lapland is growing. The number of joint exercises is increasing, and the number of volunteers is rising significantly every year,” Mertala noted. “The MSO Lapland method is gaining national and international recognition and is being integrated into national training activities.”

Other successful examples of collaboration in supporting civil protection efforts:

Monta Vecozola from the Latvian civil society organisation “Tavi Draugi” discussed the work of their volunteers providing assistance to refugees on Ukrainian-Polish border and supporting refugees arriving from occupied territories.
Maria Tyshchenko from Ukraine’s NGO Poruch highlighted a volunteer school project that trains individuals to assist in emergencies. NGO Poruch also runs a School of Peace, where children are taught nonviolent communication and conflict resolution.
The Centre for Chemical Safety and Security (ICCSS) organised a camp for young leaders focused on volunteer firefighting and social resilience.

This launch event, which took place online, was attended by 27 participants from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Ukraine, including representatives from volunteer organisations, civil protection authorities, universities, and international bodies.

It marks the beginning of an ambitious initiative aimed at building a more coordinated and resilient civil protection network across the Baltic Sea Region, especially in the face of ongoing global challenges.

The next BSR-NOVA meeting will be held in November 2024, and civil society organisations and authorities interested in joining the network are encouraged to participate.