GRASS
Growing algae sustainably in the Baltic Sea
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About GRASS
Macroalgae production is an upcoming sector for growing biomass for producing food, consumables such as plastics and energy without competing for arable land, depleting fresh water and using non-renewable fertiliser. However, the sector is still in its infancy in the Baltic Sea Region and there is a lack of in-depth and wide-spread knowledge on the potential benefits of macroalgae production. To deal with this challenge, GRASS aims to raise awareness and build capacity on macroalgae cultivation, harvesting and use among public authorities and other relevant stakeholders across the region. Public authorities, ministries, planning regions and counties play a crucial role in promoting macroalgae as they are the main legislative bodies that also control much of national and regional funding.
Basic project information
Project lifetime: 01.01.2019 – 30.06.2021
Total project budget: 2,001,257.80 Euro
ERDF: 1,946,057.80 Euro
ENI + Russia: 55,200.00 EuroOwn contribution: 26,308.65 Euro
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Lead Partner
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Contact person: Fredrik Gröndahl
phone: +46.8.790 61 58
email: fgro(at)kth.se 
Project Partners
University of Tartu
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI)
University of Turku
Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE)
SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIG
Republic of Estonia Ministry of the Environment
Kurzeme Planning Region
Uppsala University
Interregional charitable public organization "Biologists for nature conservation"-
Associated organisations
The Municipality of Guldborgsund
Est-Agar AS
Republic of Estonia Ministry of Rural Affairs
The Regional Council of Southwest Finland
The Finnish Ministry of the Environment
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and Environment
The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
The Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment
Algoritm Ltd.
The Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of Poland
Competence Network Aquaculture of the federal state Schleswig-Holstein
John Nurminen Foundation
Liepaja University
Maritime Office in Gdynia
POLICY AREA INNOVATION
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Project Outputs
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Raising capacity of public authorities and practitioners on the environmental and ecological benefits and risks of macroalgae cultivation and harvesting in the BSR:
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2.1: Pan-Baltic map depicting potential of macroalgal cultivation and harvesting
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2.2: Manual on the efficient production methods of macroalgae farming in the Baltic Sea region
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2.3a: Report on ecological impacts of macroalgae cultivation in the Baltic Sea region
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2.3b: Guidelines for undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments for macroalgae cultivation and harvest projects
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2.4a: Factsheet on the potential and environmental impacts of macroalgae harvesting and cultivation
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2.4b: Factsheet on the potential and environmental impact beachcast production
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Policies and regulations to unlock the potential of sustainable macroalgae production and use in the BSR:
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3.1a: Maps illustrating MSP approach to best available sites for macroalgae cultivation and harvesting in the Baltic Sea
Germany
Estonia
Finland
Latvia
Poland
Russia
Sweden
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3.2a: European and National Regulations on Seaweed Cultivation and Harvesting
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3.2b: Policy brief #1: Promoting Sustainable Macroalgae Business
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3.2c: Policy brief #2: How to Reconcile Blue Growth with Environmental Objectives in the Baltic Sea
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3.3: Knowledge dissemination and transfer of GRASS (International Conference)
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3.4a: Inventory and dossier of existing relevant EU food safety legislation and its national application
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3.4b: Report on the use of macroalgae in countries outside the EU
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3.4ci: Set of guidelines for macroalgae production for human consumption: Health benefits and potential for food industry
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3.4cii: Set of guidelines for macroalgae production for human consumption: Risks and food safety regulation
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Building confidence of BSR’s public authorities and practitioners to create socio-economic expectations for macroalgae:
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4.1: Report on macroalgae value chains relevant for BSR, showcasing macroalgae business models for blue bioeconomy products and market analysis
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4.2: Manual on the socioeconomic benefits, risks and opportunities of macroalgae production and use in the BSR
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4.3a: Handbook for public authorities
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4.3b: Synthesis report of benefits, risks and opportunities of macroalgae cultivation harvesting and use at local, regional, national and transnational level
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4.3c: Six regional workshops for capacity building of regional and national authorities
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4.3d: Training materials (factsheets) and feedback from capacity building activities
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