Photo: Eivind Sætre/norden.org Green growth is an important enabler of growth and prosperity in the Nordic countries. The Nordic Business, Energy and Regional Ministers emphasise, therefore, that they are willing to assume responsibility for much of the future investments in green growth on which the Prime Ministers are expected make decisions in connection with the forthcoming Globalisation Forum and subsequent Prime Ministers' meeting.

A Nordic Innovation Fund could become a reality. The ministers will continue discussions on the establishment of the Nordic Innovation Fund, together with the European Investment Fund (EIF), which will contribute one third of the funding. The proposal is a major investment of 250 million Euros, which will include an investment of 50 million Euros in so-called business angels.

Green Growth Festival 'Rohevik'"During recent years a lot has been invested in property and fossil fuels instead of renewable energy, public transportation, water conservation or sustainable agriculture," stated Ville Niinistö, Finnish Minister of the Environment in his opening speech at a green growth conference in Tallinn, Estonia. The conference, 'Smart Growth. Green Transport' takes this approach emphasising the potential in environmentally friendly innovations in the Baltic Sea Region.

The high-level international conference 'Smart Growth. Green Transport' stressed the need to find new ways of generating energy, increasing the amount of energy produced from renewable sources and arranging transport in a new manner that is energy efficient and clean.

As September is a rather busy month - mark 15-17 September in your calendars already today!  Then it's time for Rohevik - Green Growth festival in Tallinn, Estonia. Rohevik takes a glimpse into the future created by sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of life with a focus on green transport and electric vehicles.

Rohevik which refers to green future is a three days event:

• 15 September: 'Modern Eco-cities' – international conference at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu
• 16 September: 'Smart Energy and Green Transport' – international conference in the Riigikogu /the Parliament of Estonia/ in Tallinn
• 17 September: 'Our Future – Electric Vechicles' – family event on Vabaduse väljak /Liberty Square/ in Tallinn. Cars on the square: Tesla, JonElis, Mitsubishi, ERA, Peugeot, ZEV Motors, Fiat, Toyota, Citroen, etc.
• Rohevik recommends: car free day on 18 September in Tallinn

Themes

• Are electric cars really the answer to pollution-generating forms of transport?
• What kinds of electric cars can people in Estonia buy?
• How can we ensure more economical urban planning so that everyone enjoys a better quality of life?
• Is there any hope of finding an alternative to rising energy costs in the form of new energy solutions?

Põhja- ja Baltimaade koostöö ja Põhjamaade Ministrite Nõukogu Eesti esinduse 20. juubeli tähistamiseks kutsume kõiki eestikeelsesse Vikipeediasse Põhjamaade-teemalisi artikleid kirjutama alates 23. märtsist 2011.

Teemavaliku hõlbustamiseks oleme loonud viis kategooriat. Iga kategooria parimat kirjutajat auhinnatakse 1000-eurose reisivautšeriga vabalt valitud sihtkohta Põhjamaades. Lisaks jagub tublimatele panustajatele mitmeid väiksemaid auhindu.

Auhindadele kandideerimiseks tuleb kirjutada või toimetada nõuetele vastavaid artikleid eestikeelses Vikipeedias hiljemalt 30. aprillil 2011.

Artiklite kirjutamise võistlusel on kolm peamist eesmärki:

• suurendada Põhjamaade koostööd puudutava asjatundliku ja usaldusväärse info hulka eesti keeles;
• täiendada ja täiustada Põhjamaade kohta käivat materjali eestikeelses Vikipeedias;
• saada eestikeelsesse Vikipeediasse uusi kaastöölisi ja toimetajaid.

Nõuded tekstidele:

• ootame artikleid Põhjamaade koostööst, mis kirjeldavad konkreetses valdkonnas Põhjamaade ühiseid algatusi, avaldusi ja omadusi;
• kirjutis(t)e sisu sobitub vähemalt ühte nimetatud kategooriasse;
• kirjutiste põhimaht ei tohiks koosneda (ajas) kaugele ulatuvatest ajalookirjeldustest.

Võistluse reeglid:

• Võistlus toimub 23. märtsist kuni 30. aprillini 2011.
• Osaleda saavad kõik Vikipeedia registreeritud kasutajad, välja arvatud žüriiliikmed. Registreerumiseks tuleb kasutada Vikipeedia lehekülje ülaosas leiduvat nuppu "Logi sisse / registreeru kasutajaks".
• Kasutajanimi jätab võistleja anonüümseks, kui ta oma nime ise ei avalda. Auhinna vastuvõtmisel tuleb oma nimi avalikustada.
• Võistlusele registreerumiseks tuleb lisada enda kasutajanimi ja kirjutatavate/toimetatavate artiklite pealkirjad lehele "Osavõtjad ja artiklid".
• Hinnatakse eeskätt oskust koostada sidusat, hästi ja arusaadavalt sõnastatud põhjalikku, kuid ülevaatlikku entsüklopeedilist teksti, mis põhineb usaldusväärsetel viidatud allikatel. Eruditsioon, huvitav teemavalik, tõlkimisoskus, Vikipeedia nõuetele vastava vormistamise oskus jms ei ole peaauhinna määramisel otsustavad, kuid žürii võib määrata eriauhindu.
• Hinnatakse nii uue teksti kirjutamist kui ka olemasoleva teksti toimetamist.
• Kirjutamine toimub Vikipeedia põhimõtete ja reeglite alusel kasutajate koostöös.
• Ei hinnata mitte niivõrd artikli(te) lõplikku kuju, kuivõrd konkreetse kirjutaja panust artikli(te) kvaliteeti.
• Artikkel peab olema varustatud allikaviidetega, plagiaat ei kvalifitseeru.

Viis kategooriat (ja näiteid teemadest)

1. Energia ja keskkond
   (Põhjamaade ühine poliitika, algatused, tegevuskavad, avastused, tehnoloogiad)
   Näiteks: Põhjamaade Tippteaduse Algatus (Nordic Top-level Research Initiative), Skandinaavia Vesiniku Maantee (Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway), Põhjamaade keskkonnamärgis Luik (Nordic ecolabel), Põhjamaade Nõukogu keskkonnaauhind, HELCOM (Helsinki Commission); Helsingi konventsioon (1992); NEFCO (Nordic Environment Finance Co-operation); NordGen (Nordic Genetic Resource Centre); Maailma Seemnepank Teravmägedes (Global Seed Vault); Põhjamaade energiapoliitika tegevuskava 2010-2013; Nordpool; Läänemere strateegia ja Põhjamaad.
2. Kultuur ja pärand
   (Põhjamaade ühine kultuurivaramu, tegevuskavad, ettevõtmised )
   Näiteks: Põhjamaade disain; Põhja- ja Baltimaade kultuuri mobiilsusprogramm; Põhjamaade raamatukogunädal; Põhjamaade Nõukogu kirjanduse, filmi ja muusika auhinnad; Valhalla (noorte projektid); BIBBI – virtuaalne Põhjamaade lasteraamatukogu; Põhjamaade Filmi ja TV Fond; Põhjamaade kirjanike atlas; Põhjamaade mänguprogramm; Põhjamaade kultuuripunkt; Skandinaavia keeled; Põhjamaade saagad; orkester Norden.
3. Majandus
   (Põhjamaade majanduselus silmapaistvad ühised jooned, tegevuskava ja poliitika)
   Näiteks: Uus Põhjala Toit; KREANORD; Põhja-ja Baltimaade ettevõtluse ja tööstuse mobiilsusprogramm, Põhjamaade Investeerimispank; Nordjobb; Põhjamaade e-maksuportaal (Nordisk eTax).
4. Teadus ja haridus
   (Põhjamaade ühine poliitika ja tegevuskavad, saavutused, leiutised)
   Näiteks: Põhjamaade Kompetentsikeskused (Nordic Centres of Excellence); Põhjamaade Teadusnõukogu NordForsk; Põhjamaade Energiauuringute Keskus (Nordic Energy Research); Nordplus hariduskoostööprogramm; Põhjamaade Magistriõpe (Nordic Master Programme); Põhjamaade Rahvatervise kõrgkool; Nordregio (Põhjamaade Ruumilise Planeeringu Keskus).
5. Põhja- ja Baltimaade poliitiline koostöö
   Näiteks: Euroopa Liidu Läänemere strateegia ja Põhjamaad; Põhja- ja Baltimaade avaliku halduse mobiilsusprogramm; Põhja- ja Baltimaade koostöö (Nordic-Baltic 8, NB8); Põhjamaade heaolumudel; Põhjamaade Ministrite Nõukogu; Punkaharju peaministrite kohtumine; Valgevene Euroopa Humanitaarülikool; NORDEFCO (Põhjamaade kaitsekoostöö); Põhjamaade piiritõkete foorum.
   

Kirjutada võib ka teistel kategooriasse sobivatel teemadel.

Auhinnad
Parimad viis saavad 1000-eurose auhinna kätte 20. mail Tallinnas Hopneri majas (Raekoja platsi ääres), kus terve mai vältel toimub Põhjamaade disainikuu Nordic Look.

Žürii
Teele Vaalma (Vikipeedia); Madis Kanarbik (Põhjamaade Ministrite Nõukogu esindus Eestis); Liina Kümnik (Rootsi Suursaatkond), Silvi Teesalu (Taani Kultuuri Instituudi esindus Eestis); Madis Tilga (Põhjamaade Ministrite Nõukogu esindus Eestis).

Vastused küsimustele
Küsimustele saate vastused, kui jätate need lehele Vikipeedia arutelu: Põhjamaade-teemaliste artiklite võistlus
(alates 23. märts).
Kontakt Põhjamaade Ministrite Nõukogu Eesti esinduses: Madis Tilga, tel 627 31 03 või
e-post madis.tilga(at)norden.ee

Inspiratsiooni ja teemasid leiab meie koduleheküljelt!

Nordic design comes to Tallinn in May 2011. Photo: Karin Beate Nøsterud/norden.orgIt is possible to save billions of kroons by creating environmentally friendly and sustainable design. The European Union has come to this realisation, too. The Nordic countries want to see to it that this understanding permeates into regulations affecting all of Europe and that sustainable design is of just as high quality in future.

This means that the European Union regulation on ecodesign will be critically reviewed and the necessary amendments made. The amendments are likely to be related to the whole processing industry, starting from the production of electric motors and bulbs.

The current ecodesign directive establishes that products on the internal market must meet certain environmental and energy norms; otherwise they cannot be sold in the EU. Parliamentarians, EU officials and non-profit organisations met in Copenhagen at the end of November to discuss what these environmental requirements should be like in future.

A Member of the European Parliament, Britta Thomsen, thought that the initiative should encourage companies and researchers in the Baltic Sea region to make the directive more efficient with their ideas. "Many people believe that 'green activities' cost money," she said. "Actually, on the contrary: we save money, and at the same time care for the environment. We in the Nordic countries know that and that's why we have to play a stronger role in this area in Europe – we have experience which can be used by other countries."

Seija Lukkala, one of the founders of the globally known brand Globe Hope gave a presentation of her success on 5 November in Tallinn. Photo: Grete Kodi/norden.eeSeija Lukkala, who for decades has turned old military uniforms, advertisement flags, hospital clothes and the like into highly valued clothes, bags, footwear, jewellery, etc., admitted in her presentation at the Tallinn Fashion Week that the most complicated task has been the creation of a recognised brand. She succeeded with Globe Hope.

In order to create a brand, the product, production process and service must be backed up by a strong concept. The concept of Globe Hope is based on high quality, aesthetics, ethics and environmental friendliness. "In the fashion business there is constant and unending pressure to come out with new designs and materials which will be quickly cast aside as outdated. But at the same time we are running out of natural resources," explained Lukkala, one of the founders of Globe Hope.

The road to recognition and popularity of this company giving a new life to recycled materials has been riddled with problems. The marketing strategy has been radically changed several times and Globe Hope opened its own shop only eight years after its foundation. Investors have been very patient: the company has earned profit only in the last two years. But it has been worth it!

EkobankenLars Pehrson from the Danish bank Merkur Andelskasse marked to Icelanders, who have lost their savings and often living as well in the recent economic crisis, in a seminar on socially responsible banking held during the summit meeting of the Nordic countries that modern banking can still be likened to Formula 1 racing in street traffic.

This year the bank, along with other two, was awarded a nature and environment prize of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Merkur Andelskasse shares the prize with Cultura Bank from Norway and Ekobanken from Sweden.

Those three represent a new trend in banking. They merge traditional market economy with value-based banking. As usual, the goal of the banks is to move cash flow and earn a profit, but they only lend money to companies and projects that share their values. It is their task to find agencies and people who are most effective in producing such values. And the venture must be successful at that.  

Photo: Sigurður Ólafsson/norden.orgIn January 2011 Finland takes over the chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers from Denmark and will target climate change – combating and adapting to it – according to the statement of the Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi at the summit meeting in Reykjavik.

The Nordic countries insist that climate issues should be taken into account when making economic and political decisions. In addition, while the emission of exhaust gases to the atmosphere should be reduced in the Nordic region as well as on an international scale, general living conditions require continuous improvement.

People behind the TV programme "Osoon" on Iceland. Photo: osoon/etv.err.eeIn November the TV programme "Osoon" will devote special attention to Iceland. The programme aims to provide a diverse overview of the mystical nature of the Land of Fire and Ice. Iceland with its somewhat out-of-this-world mountains and congealed lava plains is an island from another planet. This island of tectonic origin is situated on the border the continental shelves of Europe and North America. These continental shelves drift apart more and more with each passing year, causing volcano eruptions and earthquakes.

Authors of the programme note that Iceland has been rightfully named the Land of Fire and Ice. There the fire of volcano eruptions and the warmth of geysers and hot water springs meet the icy coolness of glaciers.

The first episode of the series was aired on 1 November. A week later on 8 November journalists will give some insight into the workings of a volcano. They will ask local volcanologists how these fiery mountains function and how much do we actually know about them. Whether and how is it possible to predict their activity?

CO2 drive in Vilnius - electricity vs fossil fuel. Photo: Saulius Abraskevicius/norden.ltOn the fourth Saturday of October a large exhibition of vehicles that operate on electricity or other green fuels or are otherwise environmentally friendly attracted hundreds of interested people to the central square of Vilnius, including advisor Madis Tilga from the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia.

Organisers of the event, primarily the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Lithuania and their numerous partners, brought a colourful selection of two and four-wheeled eco-vehicles to the nation that had recently lost a nuclear power plant. Visitors could examine and test exhibited items and ask for advice. Then, vehicles equipped with GPS formed the chemical symbol for carbon monoxide – representing the battle against climate change – on the web-map of Vilnius.

The day culminated with a merciless drag race between fossil fuel and electric cars. The Mitsubishi EVO and Subaru Impreza with very dynamic internal combustion engines took turns competing in the first category. TESLA was chosen to ensure the triumph of electric cars. Its acceleration, 0–100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, left traditional cars far behind.