Union of the Baltic Cities
Budget
€830,678
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
1
0.25 FTE
EU Grants
€57,649
Mission & Goals
UBC is a network of cities from 9 countries from the Baltic Sea Region. The Union’s aim is to promote and strengthen cooperation and exchange of experience among the cities in the Baltic Sea Region, to advocate for common interests of the local authorities in the region, and to act on behalf of the cities and local authorities in common matters towards regional, national, European and international bodies, as well as achieving sustainable development in the BSR with full respect to European principles of local and regional self-governance and subsidiarity.
EU Legislative Interests
2025 The main theme of the XVIII UBC General Conference, held in Słupsk/Dolina Charlotty on 4-7.11.25 was “Reinforcing UBC Member Cities’ Role in EU Policymaking and Participation in EU Funded Projects”. One of the Plenary sessions was devoted to the topic: EU Funding and Advocacy: The Role of Cities in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028-2034). The following panelists shared their experiences: Marko Paunovic, Head of UBC Antenna in Brussels, Kieran McCarthy, Councillor, Cork City, Member of the European Committee of the Regions (Alternate), Claire Roumet, Strategic partnerships and coordination, Energy Cities, Laura Omucińska, External funds projects inspector, City of Słupsk, Linda Ozola, Councillor, City of Riga, Henrik Johansson, Environmental and project financial coordinator, Municipality of Växjö The General Conference adopted a Position paper on MFF 2028–2034 in which UBC calls the EC to give cities direct access to funds, simplify procedures, and involve them in shaping the MFF 2028–2034. The Union also urges for support for Ukrainian municipalities and recognition of the Baltic Sea region’s strategic role in Europe’s future. 2024 5.12.2024, the UBC hosted a Policy Debate at the European Parliament under the patronage of Ms Magdalena Adamowicz, MEP, Poland, EPP, and moderated by Mr Piotr Grzelak, Vice President of UBC and Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk. The event brought together representatives of over 50 cities from the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), Members of the European Parliament, and EU stakeholders to discuss the critical role of cities in shaping and implementing EU policies. Topics discussed included: Advancing climate action through regional collaboration in the context of the European Green Deal, Supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and fostering regional stability, Strengthening the involvement of cities in EU policymaking processes and funding mechanisms. 2023 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), Riga, organization and moderation of a workshop under the title “Youth Empowerment 2.0 in the 21st Century – Trends and Policy Solutions” on 5 October 2023. 2022 20. EU Week of Regions: UBC workshop “Effective policies for inclusion in cities during and after the Ukrainian war”, 11.10.2022 2021 Green Week: workshop “Building innovative and effective policies stimulating behavior changes in modern cities – towards zero pollution”, 7 June 2021 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: co-organisation of the EUSBSR Annual Forum online, 27.09-1.10.2021 Regional Policy: Meeting with the representatives of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Cross-border cooperation Unit, Slaven Klobučar, Gustavo Lopez Cutillas, 11 May 2021; Normunds Popens, Deputy Director General, DG Regio, EC delivered a speech at the XVI UBC General Conference, 29 October 2021 2020 Participation in the consultation on Sustainable finance – EU classification system for green investments; draft act feedback period Feedback period 20 November 2020 - 18 December 2020; UBC feedback submitted on 17 December 2020.
Communication Activities
Posting on www.ubc.net, social media, mailing, publications of the Baltic Cities Bulletin The work is done by the UBC Secretariat and UBC Commissions.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
n/a
Organisation Members
UBC is an association of cities and municipalities from 9 countries of the Baltic Sea Region and associated cities from Ukraine.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.