Our History
Initiated by Zennström Philanthropies
Zennström Philanthropies was founded by Niklas and Cathrine Zennström in 2007, with two strategic programmes designed to support human rights and the environment. After years of working on global environmental problems Zennström Philanthropies initiated Race For The Baltic, a foundation for a well-managed and sustainable Baltic Sea.
“The time to act is running out and we are truly in a race to save the Baltic Sea. ”
The campaign story
The start of the Baltic Sea initiative was an awareness campaign bringing together over 100 organisations for a 3,700 km cycle ride around the Baltic Sea. The campaign collected 27,000 signatures that were presented to the ministers of environment of all countries surrounding the Baltic Sea in the lead up to the HELCOM ministerial meeting (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission).
Since the awareness campaign in 2013, Race For The Baltic has evolved and is now acting as a separate unit and is an established observer at HELCOM.
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is an ambitious programme to restore the good ecological status of the Baltic marine environment.