The research focuses on the question of how the region can become more resilient in the face of global challenges. To this end, sustainable research and knowledge transfer structures are to be established that will bring academia, politics and society together. Planned developments include a Baltic Sea Monitor that provides information on the strengthening of resilience – i.e. society’s ability to withstand adversity. In addition, an existing Geoportal will be continuously updated with new findings on the region’s development.
The new project builds on the findings of the research project ‘Fragmented Transformations. “Perceptions, Constructions and Constitutions of a Region in Transition” (FragTrans), which received € 9.2 million in funding from the BMFTR between 2021 and 2026. In the FragTrans project, researchers from the IFZO examined the far-reaching changes that have shaped the Baltic Sea region since the end of the Cold War. The consortium unites project proposers from the fields of political science, economics, history, communication studies, Scandinavian studies, Finnish studies and geography.
Prof. Dr. Margit Bussmann, spokesperson for the FragTrans project, says: “Following the democratic upheavals in East Germany and its neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe, new forms of cooperation developed between the countries bordering the Baltic Sea. At the same time, shared challenges such as security, climate change, the energy transition, environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea, and the preservation of cultural heritage became more important.”
The FragTrans project developed practice-oriented tools and recommendations for action. For example, IFZO’s Geoportal highlights changes in land use over longer periods of time and helps to improve our understanding of ecological developments. Research into the supply of energy has shown that sustainable and secure supply strategies must be considered beyond the confinement of international borders. In addition, cultural heritage has become more important: according to the researchers, traditional crafts and historical techniques can help make societies more resilient to crises.
“Participants in this new funding project aim to build on these findings and ensure their long-term application.The aim is to strengthen cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and to ensure that scientific findings play a greater role in social and political decision-making processes,” says Prof. Dr. Clemens Räthel, spokesperson for the IFZO and the newly funded ‘Resilient Baltic Sea Region’ project.
“The research domain “Baltic Sea Region” is a distinctive feature of the University of Greifswald. This further federal funding will help to strengthen our position as a leading institution for interdisciplinary research on the Baltic Sea region. At the same time, we are establishing structures to ensure academic expertise can be put to use in politics, public administration, business and society. This will help us consolidate the University of Greifswald’s role as a leading partner in the development of a resilient Baltic Sea region,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Daniel Schiller, Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer.
Further information
The Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO) conducts research into the history, the present, and future challenges of north-eastern Europe. The work focuses on the Baltic Sea region as a geographical and political whole characterised by a diversity of cultures, a unique ecosystem, and a considerable geopolitical significance.
Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO)
Research Domain: the Baltic Sea Region
Contact at the University of Greifswald
Dr. Alexander Drost
Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO)
Bahnhofstraße 51, 17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 3834 420 3341
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