Twenty years have passed since the biggest accession to the European Union took place. Among ten acceding countries were two, which became member states of the Interreg South Baltic Programme. Poland and Lithuania have not only benefited from EU membership but have also contributed significantly to regional cooperation, economic development, and cultural exchange. In the South Baltic region, the focus is on the development and cooperation in Lithuanian counties of Klaipėda, Tauragė and Telšiai and Polish voivodeship Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie. It is important to emphasise the importance of continued collaboration and solidarity, fostering a sense of unity and pride among communities in Poland, Lithuania, and beyond. Let’s read about different perspectives from our projects which Polish and Lithuanian beneficiaries shared with us.
Project #2
BFA – Baltic for All: Watersports that know no limits!
We asked two BFA project beneficiaries about their personal impressions, memories and perceptions: Piotr Cięszczyk (Kołobrzeg Comune, Poland) and Romualdas Ambrulaitis (Administration of Šilutė district, Lithiania).
Objectives
The primary aim of the Baltic For All (BFA) project was to bolster employment opportunities in the blue economy sectors of the South Baltic area by providing professional training to young individuals, including those with disabilities, in sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. The project equipped these individuals with necessary skills to become instructors for people with disabilities in water sports, thereby enhancing their prospects for securing employment.
Through collaborative efforts involving project partners from Poland, Germany, and Lithuania, as well as affiliated associations for disabled, the BFA project endeavored to realise its objectives. By engaging in cross-border activities and involving individuals with disabilities from associated partners, the project generated synergy and addressed a common challenge in the region: the low level of employment among young and disabled individuals.
Results and good practices
1. Professional Development: The project provided comprehensive training for water sports teachers, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively work with people with disabilities.
2. Inclusive Education: By integrating disability awareness and adaptive techniques into sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing courses, the project has promoted inclusive education within the water sports community.
3. Empowerment: Through specialised training, sailors have become empowered professionals, capable of creating inclusive environments and facilitating enjoyable and safe experiences for individuals with disabilities on the water.
4. Expanded Access: The project has expanded access to water sports for people with disabilities, breaking down barriers and opening up new opportunities for participation and enjoyment.
5. Community Impact: Trained professionals serve as ambassadors for inclusivity within the water sports community, inspiring others to embrace diversity and promote equal access to recreational activities.
6. Skill Enhancement: Sailors who have undergone the training course have enhanced their teaching skills, communication abilities, and understanding of adaptive equipment, ensuring a high standard of instruction for all participants.
7. Positive Social Change: By fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration, the project has contributed to positive social change, promoting acceptance and respect for individuals with disabilities within the water sports industry and beyond.
Overall, the training programme for water sports instructors has been a cornerstone of the Baltic For All project, embodying its commitment to inclusivity, education, and empowerment. Through this initiative, sailors have not only gained valuable skills but have also become catalysts for positive change, enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities and fostering a more inclusive and welcoming water sports community.
The positive impact of EU membership on everyday lives in their region or community
Piotr: Twenty years ago, the Baltic coast was a different landscape altogether. I remember vividly the days when accessibility for people with disabilities was not a priority, and the idea of inclusive recreational activities seemed like a distant dream. However, the transformation over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable, thanks in part to initiatives like the Baltic For All project.
The Baltic For All project emerged as a beacon of inclusivity, aiming to make the Baltic Sea coast accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of physical abilities. Its impact rippled across the region, fostering a culture of acceptance and empowerment. One of the most remarkable outcomes of this project was witnessed in Dzwirzyno, a picturesque seaside town that embraced inclusivity wholeheartedly.
In Dzwirzyno, the local marina underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming not just a hub for water sports enthusiasts but also a symbol of inclusivity. The introduction of water equipment specifically designed for people with disabilities was a game-changer. Suddenly, individuals who were previously sidelined from water activities due to physical limitations found themselves welcomed with open arms.
I recall one particular summer afternoon when I visited the marina in Dzwirzyno during regattas that happen annually for “Summer Opening” event. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the laughter and joy of people of all abilities coming together to enjoy the water. I witnessed firsthand how individuals with disabilities, buoyed by the support and accessible equipment and trained professionals provided by the Baltic For All project, navigated the waves with grace and confidence.
What struck me most was the shift in perception. No longer were people with disabilities viewed through a lens of pity or limitations. Instead, they were celebrated for their resilience, determination, and sheer joy for life. The marina in Dzwirzyno became a testament to the fact that disability does not define capability.
The ripple effects of this transformation were profound. Families, friends, and visitors alike were inspired by the spirit of inclusivity they encountered in Dzwirzyno. It sparked conversations and initiatives in other communities along the Baltic coast, further amplifying the message of acceptance and equal opportunity.
Indeed, the Baltic For All project and its influence on the marina in Dzwirzyno serve as a powerful reminder that inclusivity is not just a lofty ideal but a tangible reality that can be achieved with dedication and vision. It taught us that barriers, whether physical or societal, can be overcome when we come together with empathy, determination, and a commitment to embracing diversity in all its forms.
Romualdas: Several non-governmental organisations, water sports and sailing clubs operated in the municipality of Šilutė district, on the shores of the Curonian Lagoon and in the Nemunas river delta, the main contingent of which was the organisation of children’s camps, courses for adult sailors, but there was no opportunity for disabled persons, elderly people to be included in sailing, active spending of time on water.
The initiative to change this came from the municipal administration after getting to know the experience of colleagues from Poland and Germany, thus the idea of different three countries to combine efforts to organise training courses for disabled sailing instructors, to buy the necessary equipment, to oblige clubs to organise training camps for disabled people and children in the future – as a continuation of the project. On the initiative of the sailing clubs operating in Šilute, the technology and knowledge obtained during the project have already been used by disabled and children’s organisations in Klaipėda, Panevėžys, Ignalina and other Lithuanian cities.
The biggest achievement of the project is the sincere, immediate establishment of friendship and cooperation between sailing groups of individual countries and employees of municipal administrations. This gives hope to have common new ideas and projects in the future. Open borders and joint projects are the result of 20 years of EU activity. Any municipal public funds with EU support for any infrastructure or people attract private capital investments. A beautified environment or new human initiatives always find like-minded people.
Personal memories and experiences
Piotr: One of my favorite memories related to this cooperation was the return journey from a delegation to Silute, Lithuania. After spending three incredible days immersed in the warm reception of the Silute community, sailing together, and discussing the Baltic For All project, it was time to head back to the Kolobrzeg Commune.
As we were preparing to board the plane with only our carry-on luggage, one of the sailors received a surprise gift from the marina boss in Silute. Imagine our curiosity and intrigue as we opened the case at the airport, only to find a smoked beaver inside! This delicacy, well-known in Lithuania, was a completely unexpected and delightful present.
However, our joy quickly turned into a moment of uncertainty when we realized that beavers are protected in Poland, and we weren’t sure if we could legally transport it on the plane. The expressions on the faces of the customs officers as they scanned our luggage and tried to make sense of the unexpected item were priceless.
Despite the initial concern, we managed to safely transport the smoked beaver back to Poland. And I must say, once we finally tasted it, we understood why it’s considered such a delicacy! It was a delicious reminder of the cultural exchange and camaraderie that flourished through our cross-border cooperation efforts.
Romualdas: The project participant had to perform not only project activities but also take part in Šilute, Dzwirzyno, Barth towns celebrations, parades, tastings, and other attractions. It was seen when the project partners from Kolobrzeg together with the Germans came to the celebration of our town with a real sea yacht and settled in the port of Minija almost blocking the river. It was magnificent.
