Statement of the Chairperson and Executive Secretary, Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB

CCB • February 25, 2022

25 February 2022

Environmental NGOs and networks like CCB* are not political. However, a war in our region is unprecedented and not a matter of normal political discourse in choosing how to protect the environment best or how to restore our ecosystems.

CCB as a network of NGOs was created in 1990 to join people from all countries in the Baltic Sea catchment area in a common cause: to improve our shared environment, to learn from each other and to understand each other’s culture and tradition.

Green organizations everywhere stand for peace and respect for all life on Earth. CCB was created with the underlying passion for borderless societies and hope of a new future without walls and distrust.

At this time, we chose to comment on the terrifying situation in Ukraine for the sake of people and of life itself. We must stand together because our friends that share our goals live in all the countries in the region. We make no difference between people regardless of nationality, origin or domicile.

We, civil society organizations, act in an open, transparent and non-violent way. Green NGOs in our region were part of the liberation movements after 1989, not supporting any political path of left or right but only the right for nations and nature to exist.

We must now again stand for the right to exist in peace for both our Ukrainian and Russian friends. Nature will remain our common value and language of dialogue, but we condemn any kind of violence and aggression in any form it occurs.

We are not afraid of each other, we trust each other, and there will never again be a wall between us. Instead, we will strive to protect the most important thing – human life, not to destroy it!

Aija Caune                                                       Mikhail Durkin
CCB Chairperson                                           CCB Executive Secretary


This statement is supported by the following individual CCB Members and partners:
– Polish Ecological Club, Main Board
– Estonian Water Association
– Friends of the Baltic
– Green Federation “GAIA”
– Friends of the Rivers of Ina and Gowienica Association – TPRIiG
– Nerush
– Danish Society for Nature Conservation
– Public Council of the South Coast of the Gulf of Finland


*CCB – Coalition Clean Baltic is a network of 26 environmental NGOs from 11 Baltic Sea Region countries, striving to protect the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea for present and future generations.

By CCB February 24, 2026
Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 28 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden. About the Role Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) is seeking a Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover) to join its International Secretariat and contribute substantively to regional and EU-level marine advocacy, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. The Marine Policy Officer will support the implementation of EU and international marine environmental policy frameworks — notably the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) . All work is grounded in the promotion of ecosystem-based management. The role includes close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat team as well as CCB member organisations to deliver policy initiatives, advocacy actions, and strategic programme objectives. The Marine Policy Officer will also support the International Secretariat in fundraising, with a focus on the EU LIFE operational grant application. Key Responsibilities Policy & Advocacy Support the implementation of CCB’s strategic plan on marine biodiversity policy. Contribute to marine policy advocacy at EU and at Baltic Sea regional levels (e.g. HELCOM, EU Commission expert groups). Provide input to the implementation and revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Collect evidence and views to provide NGO inputs to the forthcoming EU Ocean Act and related initiatives. Support the implementation of the Helsinki Convention and Baltic Sea Action Plan. Engage in the revision processes related to the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Programme & Grant Delivery Provide critical support in fundraising, i.e. project proposal development, especially for securing core grant funding (e.g. for the EU LIFE Programme and potentially Horizon programme). Contribute to CCB´s project management, implementation and reporting activities for various projects. Coordination & Monitoring Closely coordinate marine biodiversity policy work with CCB member organisations. Monitor global, EU, and regional marine policy developments. Liaise with partner NGOs and civil society organisations. Communications & Policy Products Draft position papers, policy briefings, consultation inputs and technical reports on relevant files. Support communications and outreach on marine policy issues. Help organise workshops, conferences, and stakeholder events. Represent CCB in policy dialogues, expert groups, and stakeholder forums at the EU and Baltic Sea level. Cross-organisational Support within the Secretariat and its members Contribute to other CCB thematic working areas as required. Profile We are seeking a policy professional who is: Solutions-oriented and adaptable Experienced in advocacy or campaigning Collaborative and team-driven Passionate about marine conservation Organised, diplomatic, and stakeholder-confident Required Qualifications & Experience Demonstrable professional experience in marine or environmental policy. Working knowledge of key EU frameworks, particularly the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Knowledge of Helcom BSAP is an asset. Postgraduate qualification in marine science, ecology, conservation, water management, or related discipline with substantial marine focus. Eligibility to work and travel within the EU (citizenship or valid permit) with residency in Sweden. Excellent written and spoken English. CCB also welcomes applicants from broader environmental policy/law backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant knowledge. Desirable Skills Experience within the NGO or civil society sector preferred. Advocacy or campaigning experience within the EU, the Baltic Sea or international environmental policy processes. Working knowledge of a Baltic Sea region language (e.g. Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).
By CCB February 19, 2026
Uppsala, February 2025 - CCB supports the Ocean Pact and Ocean Act objectives for improving coherence, coordination and effectiveness of EU ocean governance. Yet, in order to achieve this, the Act has to deliver truly ecosystem-based management of our seas and make reaching Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), a cornerstone of the Act. The Ocean Act can set us on a path to recovery of the marine environment under a sustainable and just blue economy, but only if the Act includes the points outlined below and is implemented swiftly and fully.