Final Call for Nominations for the 2009 Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award

Stockholm/April 2009 - To recognise direct and practical initiatives that contribute to improvement in the Baltic Sea's water quality, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs is now making its final call for nominations for 2009 the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award.

Nominations for this year's award are being accepted until May 4, 2009, and are sought from the business, scientific and environmental communities as well as private individuals in the Baltic Sea region. The award seeks to highlight what different stakeholders have done individually or collectively to improve the Baltic Sea's water environment. The award can be presented to an individual, organisation, company, or an authority in any of the Baltic Sea countries.

The award winner receives a 150,000 SEK prize sum along with a crystal sculpture and invitation to participate in the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm. This year the prize will be presented to the winner at a ceremony in Stockholm on September 17 in connection with a dinner hosted by EU Minister Cecilia Malmström on the eve of a Ministerial Conference on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region. The winner will receive the prize from His Majesty the King.

Nominating Criteria
The work of the nominee to improve water quality in the Baltic Sea region can be among, but is not limited to, the following areas: technology development and implementation, applied research, direct action, education and training, information and shaping of public opinion, and policy development.

Emphasis is placed on efforts that have had visible and measurable effects on the water resources in the Baltic Sea region, particularly in the areas of water resource management, new or increased research, new or improved technology or better understanding and respect for water resources.

Previous Recipients
2008, Prof. Krzysztof Edward Skóra, Director of the Hel Marine Station at the University of Gdańsk
2007, Ecodefense, Kaliningrad, Russia
2006, Mr. Björn Carlson, Sweden
2005, Vodokanal St. Petersburg and its General Director, Mr. Felix Karmazinov
2004, Nature Management and Water Environment Division of Funen County Administration, Denmark
2003, Frantschach Swiecie SA, Poland
2002, Lithuanian Housing and Urban Development Foundation
2001, Mr. Leonid Korovin, St. Petersburg, Russia
2000, City of Gdansk, Poland
1999, PURAC of Poland

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the award on behalf of the Swedish Government. Nomination forms and criteria are available from SIWI. For more information, please visit http://www.siwi.org/SBSWA/nominate.

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The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) contributes to international efforts to find solutions to the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world's water resources and sustainable development of societies.