The Club is thriving in Katrineholm

Over three days, Katrineholm hosted the Baltic Sea City Accelerator Club for the first time since they took over the operations for the Club. Participants from Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden gathered to accelerate efforts to improve water quality in the Baltic Sea, through collaboration and cross-sector cooperation. During the event there were lectures, workshops, and field visits to see concrete examples of how measures can help reduce nutrient leakage in a rural context in both Katrineholm and Nyköping. deepened their knowledge of the EU Water Framework Directive and gained a deeper understanding of how the environmental toxin PFAS affects the Baltic Sea.

The conference gave participants the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the EU Water Framework Directive and learn about how county administrative boards and water conservation associations are working to improve water quality in Sweden. During the field visits, participants visited the Erkan wetland in Kiladalen and a phosphorus pond in Nybble to see concrete examples of how measures can help reduce nutrient leakage in a rural context. Additionally, lectures were held on how nutrient leakage from horse keeping can be reduced and how to calculate the effectiveness of measures against eutrophication.  

A recurring theme of the conference was the need for collaboration and cross-sector cooperation to effectively meet the challenges threatening the future of the Baltic Sea. The conference served as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among various stakeholders and provided participants with the opportunity to forge new connections. 

Jenny Herbertsson, Environmental Strategist and Water Coordinator for Katrineholm Municipality, expressed: "We are very pleased with the wide participation and the fantastic response. The conference has received very positive feedback and inspired participants to continue working on measures against eutrophication and PFAS pollution.” 

Maja Larsson, Climate Strategist for Katrineholm Municipality, emphasised the importance of cooperation: "The conference showed that there is a wealth of knowledge among the participants. It is crucial to spread this knowledge and find ways to implement local measures to combat eutrophication and PFAS pollution." 

More information about the event can be found here.

Eight municipalities from four countries gathered for the event in Katrineholm. © Josefin Lundin, Katrinehom municipality