BALCA

BALCA (Building Capacity for Baltic Climate Action) is a European Union-funded project implemented in the South Baltic region. Its overall objective is to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders to collaborate on climate action at both local and cross-border levels.

The project responds to the need to support citizens in translating climate change awareness and knowledge into tangible action, while fostering stronger engagement within local communities. BALCA promotes knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and mutual learning among municipalities, universities, and civil society organisations from Sweden, Poland, and Lithuania. The project aims to engage and motivate citizens to reduce their climate footprint, with particular emphasis on changing mobility and consumption habits.

A key component of the project is the establishment of Citizen Action Groups, bringing together working-age residents. These groups contribute to the development and implementation of practical solutions that encourage more sustainable everyday choices and strengthen community ownership and responsibility for a climate-resilient future. Through cross-border cooperation and the exchange of good practices, BALCA creates favourable conditions for long-term behavioural and societal change, contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) – Lithuania
• Tczew Municipality – Poland
• Linnaeus University – Sweden
• Gryfino Municipality – Poland
• Administration of Tauragė District Municipality – Lithuania
• Jedwabno Municipality – Poland

The project is implemented in three main stages:

1. Establishment of Citizen Action Groups
2. Cross-border knowledge exchange and implementation of pilot initiatives
3. Evaluation of project activities and results