events in 2003

From the 15th to 17th of January 2003 the representatives of Sail Training International (STI) stayed in Gdynia. STI is a co-organizer of the international sailing event entitled Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races 2003. The route of this year’s races comprises the Baltic Sea Region with the start in Gdynia (19th -22nd July). The next stage is a Finnish port in Turku (31st July - 3rd August), and then the capital of Latvia- Riga ( 10th -13th of August), the last city ending the races being Lübeck-Travemünde in Germany (21st -24th of August).
During their stay in Gdynia the STI representatives got acquainted with the state of preparations for the regatta in our city by visiting among others the Gdynia Maritime School, Dalmor quay, Kościuszko Square and the marina.

On the 27th of February 2003 Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the President of the Republic of Latvia visited Gdynia. During her stay Mrs. President laid a wreath under the Monument of the Victims of December 1970’s and met the Mayor of Gdynia, Wojciech Szczurek. In the course of the meeting in “Nadmorski" hotel there was a letter of intent signed referring to a new undertaking - launching a sea connection between Gdynia and Liepaja. The Mayor of Liepaja - Uldis Sesks was also present at the meeting. At the end of the official part of the visit, Mrs. President with her husband went for a short walk through the streets of Gdynia. Afterwards together with the official delegation she took part in the meeting with commanding staff of the Polish Navy.
Apart from the official delegation, Mrs. President of the Republic of Latvia was accompanied by a group of businessmen representing over 30 companies from informatics, telecommunications, finance, port, transport and food branches. Those representatives, together with the representatives of Polish enterprises took part in one-day Business Forum combined with individual meetings of the representatives of the particular branches. The Forum took place in the Pomeranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gdańsk.

From the 27th to 28th of February 2003 Mr. Ole von Beust, the 1st Mayor of Hamburg, the President of Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg came to the Tri-City with an official visit at the invitation of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Province and the mayors of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot. Mr. Beust is also the 2nd Vice-president of the German Bundesrat.
The Mayor of Hamburg was accompanied by a delegation of representatives of Hamburg economic circles. To the 25-persons’ delegation belonged: the representative of the State Council on Europe, representatives of the Free Haseatic City of Hamburg Senate Office, Consul General of the Polish Republic in Hamburg, Councillors of the City-State Parliament of Hamburg, representative of Schleswig-Holstein Land, Chairman of the Hamburg Chamber of Craft, Vice-chairman of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the director of the Catholic Academy in Hamburg, the director of the Higher School of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, private entrepreneurs and mass media representatives: dpa (German Press Agency), radio station NDR (North Channel of the German Radio), Abendblatt and Bild newspapers.
The aim of this visit was to start a new stage of cooperation between Pomeranian Province (especially the Tri-City conurbation) and the region of the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg. This region is interested in Baltic cooperation and starting contacts with Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot in the field of spatial economy. The authorities of Hamburg are also interested in investment promotion in the Tri-City.

From the 13th to 14th of March 2003 the second stage of Live safely training took place in Karlskrona within the programme Safe life. It was organized by the Fire Brigade Headquarters in Warsaw and theSwedish Civil Defence League. 25 teachers responsible for elementary education in schools of Gdynia were the participants of this training. The purpose of the visit was to continue the workshops entitled Kicia and Rufi, that is workshops giving instructions how to prevent accidents at home and also Znaleźć Zgubka (Finding the Lost) workshop teaching what to do in case of losing a child. There were practical and theoretical classes given in the course of this training. At the end of the training each teacher received a special instructor diploma which enables to train not only pupils but also other teachers.

In the year 2002 the Council of Europe decided to award a prestigious Europe Prize to Gdynia for its contribution to development of international contacts and most of all for creating the Baltic Ring of Twin Cities of Gdynia. Furthermore, the representatives of the Council of Europe appreciated Gdynia’s activity in the international organizations, such as the Union of the Baltic Cities and Euroregion Baltic. The prize-giving ceremony took place in the Music Theatre on the 28th of September 2002. During the ceremony Mrs. Johanna Schicker, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Europe Prize, presented the Mayor of Gdynia with a trophy and a money prize which was used for organization of a study visit to European institutions for the young people from Gdynia.
In order to select winners who would be able to take part in the above-mentioned visit, the Mayor of Gdynia announced an Interschool Knowledge of Europe Competition entitled “With Gdynia to Europe" addressed to I and III form students from high schools of Gdynia. The competition comprised issues connected with the European Union and the Council of Europe, its purpose being the popularization of knowledge about united Europe among the youth of Gdynia, inspiring a creative approach to the questions of integrated Europe and also the promotion of team work and the ability to solve problems together. The competition was divided into three stages: qualifying selection (11.04.03), the first part of the final (25.04.03) and the second part of the final (09.05.03), during which the winning class was pronounced.
It was class III m from the High School no.3 in Gdynia that was awarded the first prize, that is a trip to Brussels (Belgium) and Strasbourg (France) in September 2003 combined with visiting the European institutions. The second prize was awarded to the III b class from the High School no. 10 from in Gdynia. It was a trip to Karlskrona, Gdynia’s twin city, for the whole class and a tutor. For winning the third prize, Ic class from the High School no.14 in Gdynia was given cinema vouchers to the “Gemini" Centre.

From the 21st to 24th of May 2003 the 11th Twin Cities Sporting Competition took place in Gdynia. In the Competition participated 250 contestants from Gdynia and its 6 twin cities: Baranovitchi, Karlskrona, Kiel, Klaipeda, Kaliningrad and Liepaja. The games were performed in four categories: handball, football, judo and track and athletics.
The inauguration of the Sporting Competition took place on the 23rd of May 2003 in the Gdynia Sport Centre. The official opening of the Competition was carried out by the Mayor of Gdynia, Mr. Wojciech Szczurek.
After a solemn opening ceremony the sportsmen took part in contests which lasted two days. The Competition ended with a ceremonial decoration of the winners on the 24th of May. In the general classification Gdynia came first before Liepaja and Baranovitchi.

On the 28th of May 2003 the “European Bridge" was organized in Gdynia - a video-conference between the inhabitants of Gdynia and Karlskrona. Questions referring to hopes and fears of joining the European Union were the main subject of the meeting. The video-conference gathered city inhabitants in great number, pupils, students, experts on education, work, EU funds, local self-government, economy and culture. There also came representatives of the local authorities with Wojciech Szczurek at the head. Mr. Wojciech Suleciński, a news editor from TV3 was the moderator of the meeting. The Swedish side was represented by self-government, business, press and also Swedish pupils’ representatives. In Karlskrona the event was led by Mrs. Magdalena Kurczewska-Svenssson, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Karlskrona. Pomeranian Centre of European Education, “Gazeta Wyborcza" newspaper and the Gdynia City Hall were the organizers of the undertaking.

The exchange of inhabitants between Gdynia and Kiel is a traditional event having its beginning in the year 1995. This event is very popular among the inhabitants of both cities because it favours starting friendly contacts and long-lasting friendships.
From the 30th May to the 2nd of June 2003 a 31-persons group of guests from Kiel visited Gdynia. This visit was organized within the realization of a project entitled "Gdynia-Kiel: partnership of cities in the social and cultural aspect". This project was co-financed by the Foundation of the Polish-German Cooperation in Warsaw.
The local authorities of Kiel were represented by the official delegation comprising Inge Lindner, a City Councillor of Kiel, Heiko Wieczorek and Gudrun Heuse-Möller from the Foreign Relations Department of the Kiel City Hall. The guests were greeted in the Gdynia City Hall by Joanna Zielińska, the Deputy Chairman of the Gdynia City Council. During their stay in Gdynia the guests took part in the attractions prepared by the host-city, that is the opening day of the exhibition of Marko Köppe, an artist from Kiel, get-together evening and the bay cruise. During the get-together evening a group of motorcyclists comprising officials from the Kiel City Hall presented the St. Laurence Hospice in Gdynia with a donation. Both the guests and the hosts had also an opportunity to spend time individually which favoured starting contacts and new friendships.

Within the programme of the Kiel inhabitants’ visit to Gdynia the opening day of the exhibition of an artist from Kiel - Marko Köppe entitled “Impressions from Kiel. A city from the artist’s perspective" took place in “Gemini" Centre (the Exhibition Room of the City Museum) on the 31st of May 2003. Kiel, the hometown of Marko Köppe is the subject of his works. The artist creates in a special style: he transforms his own photographs in an expressionist, unconventional and abstract way, using digital technique. This manner of artistic expression is responsible for the diversity of Marko Köppe’s works and presents his hometown in many different ways. During the exhibition there were also presented the drawings of Zbigniew Jujka entitled “Abduction to Europe". It was possible to see the exhibition from the 1st of June to the 27th of June.

Once again Gdynia hosted units participating in BALTOPS 2003 manoeuvres. These manoeuvres took place from the 5th of June to the 21st of June 2003. In all 38 vessels and 30 aircrafts from 12 countries including Poland participated in the training. On the 7th of June the international units commanders paid a courtesy visit to the Gdynia City Hall. Michał Guć, Deputy Mayor was the host of this meeting.

In the year 2003 within youth exchanges, Gdynia was visited by groups of pupils and students not only from twin cities but also from other foreign towns. In the Gdynia City Hall the representatives of the local authorities played host to groups of youth from Plymouth (Great Britain), Karlskrona (Sweden), Kiel (Germany), Bamberg (Germany) and a group of students from Denver (USA). During the meetings with local authorities Gdynia was presented and the subjects concerning its development and current economic situation were discussed.

In the year 2003 several study visits took place in Gdynia. Representatives of Gdynia’s twin cities, that is Karlskrona (Sweden) and Aalborg (Denmark) as well as representatives of Gironda Department (France) and Great Britain participated in them. In January the Gdynia City Hall was visited by a group of auditors from the Karlskrona City Hall. A training in carrying out the control of financial books, that is audit, was the purpose of the meeting. In May and June Gdynia hosted representatives of Aalborg. They were representatives of Aalborg’s FOA trade union uniting specialists on health care and social welfare. During the meeting the rules of functioning and the structure of health care and social welfare were presented using the example of the Municipal Social Help Centre in Gdynia.
The next meeting concerned the environmental protection strategy in Gdynia. Experts on environmental protection from Jutland, local authorities representative and the Head of the Environmental Protection Department of the Gdynia City Hall were present at the meeting. The French delegation consisting of Gironda department’s representatives stayed in Gdynia in June. During the meeting with the Chairman of the Gdynia City Council the subject of French-Polish cooperation was mentioned. Also the Consul General of Great Britain playing at the same time the role of Counsellor on Commercial Affairs stayed in the Gdynia City Hall this year. The investments of Gdynia and the city development strategy were the subject of this visit.

Since 1990 Gdynia has actively participated in the works of the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC). In the course of 13 years of its membership our city initiated and took part in numerous projects carried out within UBC, among them one deserving special attention, that is UBC Social Campaign entitled “Without Limits" started by Gdynia in the year 2002. One of the main aims of this campaign is to raise the level of awareness in the member cities as far as disabled people, their needs and expectations towards the rest of the society are concerned.
Being a modern and open city, Gdynia carries out the Social Campaign, all the more so because the year 2003 has been announced “The European Year of the Disabled" by the Council of European Union. Among this year’s activities there was organization of the International Art Competition entitled “Dreams Without Limits". The purpose of the competition was to raise awareness concerning the disabled children and young people’s rights to equal education, supporting their full integration in the society and promotion of development of the disabled through art as well as promoting their positive image. The competition was addressed to the disabled children and youth in the age of 10-16 years from 105 UBC member cities from countries such as: Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Poland.
The competition was organized on two levels: (1) local and (2) international. The UBC Commission on Sport Secretariat having its seat in Gdynia coordinated the whole of the competition. The ceremonial final of the competition took place in the Gdynia City Hall on the 2nd of July 2003. The 34-persons jury comprising diplomatic corps representatives, Polish Rehabilitation Fund for the Disabled, organizations from Gdynia acting for the benefit of the disabled, artists, local authorities of Gdynia, members of the Metropolitan Council of the Bay of Gdańsk and mass media representatives selected 7 works for the final (one from each country). From among these 7 works the best 3 ones were chosen:
Prize-winners:
I prize: Agnese Beikule (16): Dreams Without Limits, Cesis, Latvia
II prize: Victoria Chipan (11): Birds Farm, Kronstadt, Russia
III prize: Maria Vassina (15): The Family of my dreams, Tallin, Estonia
Finalists:
Rikke Kjoerby (13): Dreams about the beach, Kolding, Denmark
Deivydas Juozapavicius (16): Landscape, Siauliai, Lithuania
Paulina Szymańska (12): Dreams Without Limits, Koszalin, Poland
Oskar Brorsson (15): Fish, Ystad, Sweden

After the end of the competition the works of young artists from the Baltic Sea Region will be presented in Gdynia within a subsequent exhibition and then during the 7th UBC General Conference in Klaipeda (Lithuania). After the end of the competition it will be possible to see the exhibition in the member cities of the Union.

From the 20th to 29th of June 2003 an international event “Kieler Woche" took place in Kiel (Germany). The “Kieler Woche"is first of all the famous regatta accompanied by numerous cultural events in form of exhibitions, concerts and theatre plays.
Within the "Kieler Woche" a traditional “International Market" was organized, where the national stands of 29 countries were presented. “International Market"resembles folk picnic, during which given countries present products of their arts and crafts, music as well as tourist and promotion information.
Polish offer consisted of stands like:
- Gdynia- Kiel’s twin city (amber, embroidery, promotion materials of Gdynia)
- Pomeranian Province ( products of arts and crafts, promotion materials of the Pomeranian Province)
- Polish Tourist Office from Berlin (tourist information about all regions in Poland)
- catering stand (“Lazar" company)
Poland also presented music performances ( traditional jazz band :"Dixie Company" from Poznań and youth band- “Caro-Dance"- world champions in show dance).
Furthermore on the 20th of June 2003 a panel discussion entitled:" Germany, Poland and Russia: cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region after enlargement of the European Union" took place in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kiel on the initiative of Consulate General of the Polish Republic in Hamburg.
Traditionally, an official delegation from Gdynia, Kiel’s twin city was invited to the “Kieler Woche". The delegation took part in the official programme and the International City Forum within “Kieler Woche". The subject of the City Forum was: “European municipalities as participants in the battle against unemployment - taking special account of the interests of women".
The Association of the Polish Culture Promotion “Polonus" from Kiel invited a group of youth (with tutors) from the Special Educational Centre no2 in Gdynia to stay for a couple of days during the “Kieler Woche". The young people had an opportunity to see many of the events taking place in the course of this international venture. The visit was co-financed by the City Halls of Gdynia and Kiel.

At the turn of June and July, Polish Navy vessel ORP “Generał Kazimierz Pułaski" participated in a three-day training in the training centre of the Flag Officer Sea Training Organisation in Plymouth, Gdynia’s twin city. The training was organised in co-operation with the Royal Navy of Great Britain and initiated a series of longer trainings planned for the year 2004.

In the course of its stay in Plymouth the crew of ORP “Generał Kazimierz Pułaski" also took part in the official meeting with the Lord Mayor of Plymouth. During the meeting Commanding Officer Krzysztof Mazurkiewicz, the captain of the vessel handed over an occasional letter from the Mayor of Gdynia. The meeting ended with a press conference.

In the middle of June a group of basketball players from VBW Clima GTK Gdynia went to Houston and two weeks later to Seattle. The journey was an award for winning bronze medal in Polish Cadet Championship and gold medal in Gimnazjada.

During their stay in Houston the cadets from VBW Clima GTK Gdynia had a match against Nimitz High School. Moreover, the girls from Gdynia had a unique opportunity to see the training of San Antonio Silver Stars (Małgorzata Dydek’s team) and the team’s evening meeting with Los Angeles Sparks. Apart from the training, the hosts prepared a rich cultural programme for the players from Gdynia that included, among others, Houston sightseeing and a trip to NASA Space Flights Centre.

After two-week stay in Houston, the players went to Seattle, Gdynia’s twin city. There the guests were warmly received by the members of Seattle - Gdynia Sister City Association, who not only provided them with food and accommodation, but also took care of them during the entire stay. Being in Seattle, the players had a match with a local team of Seattle Storm team, which added splendour to the celebrations of the Independence Day. Just like in Houston, the young players from Gdynia had a chance to discover the beauty of Seattle and its surroundings.

On the occasion of Cutty Sark Tall Ship’s Races which took place in Gdynia from 19th to 22nd of July 2003, Gdynia was visited by nearly one hundred tall ships and yachts from all over the world, including world’s biggest tall ship - Siedow from Russia. It was a real Sea Holiday as well as the Holiday of Sails and of Gdynia. It was a Mexican training ship, Cuauhtemoc together with its hospitable and picturesque crew that was the most popular with the tourists.

Gdynia had organized the races of World’s largest tall ships for the third time. The first Cutty Sark races took place in 1974. Gdynia was then the first city of the “East bloc" that was given the right to organize an international event of this range. The event turned out to be a success making good impressions on both tourists and sailors participating in the regatta. The next race took place in the year 1992. The sailors visiting Gdynia that time were curious about the changes that had occurred in our country after the victory of “Solidarity". Just like in the year 1974, also the ‘92 races made lasting impressions on the participants, citizens and tourists. But the biggest crowds of visitors came to Gdynia during Cutty Sark Tall Ship’s Races 2003. About 1,2 million people from Poland and abroad visited our city. As a host, Gdynia was highly evaluated by the representatives of Sail Training International: Nigel Rowe, the Chairman, and Peter Newell, the Race Director. After a busy week spent in our city, STI representatives went to Turku in Finland where the second stage of the race took place. From Finland the fleet went to Riga in Latvia and then to Lübeck-Travemünde in Germany, the city being the race finish port.

In August the representatives of Seattle - Gdynia Sister City Association, an American organization, which coordinates the cooperation between Gdynia and Seattle, visited our city. In the course of their stay in Gdynia, the Americans met the management of the Children’s Home in Gdynia and handed over some money as a gift for children of the orphanage. These funds were raised during a charity concert of Katherine Griffin, an American pianist. The concert took place on 14th July 2003 at the Polish Home in Seattle.

On the 5th of August Gdynia was visited by participants in “Hanse-Tour Sonnenschein", a charity bicycle race in aid of sick children. The race was held under the patronage of the Union of the Baltic Cities, International Red Cross, Rostock University and International Rotary and Lions Clubs.

“Hanse-Tour Sonnenschein" Race covered the distance of 4000 km around the Baltic Sea. The race ended on the 9th of August 2003 in Rostock. The participants in the race were raising money and material gifts in the cities of Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland and later handing them over to the institutions taking care of children located in the cities of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kaliningrad district and Poland. The cyclists visited Special Educational Centre no1, which received the gift of tiles, terracotta, elements of bathroom fittings, special rehabilitation bath (to be installed in the bathroom which is currently under renovation) and a minibus.

From 4th to 9th September 2003Aalborg Pensioner Orchestra visited in Gdynia. The Danish Orchestra consists solely of 70 up to 91 years old pensioners. The musicians give concerts about 20 per year presenting pieces of well-known classical music and musicals. The orchestra existing for 25 years, performs in Denmark (mainly in North Jutland Region) as well as outside the country. It plays most often on the occasions of events organised by the City Hall of Aalborg. Since the very beginning of its existence, the orchestra has been conducted by Anker Møller, a musician well known in Denmark.

In the course of its visit to Gdynia, the Orchestra gave 3 concerts for the inhabitants of Municipal Welfare Centres and Old People’s Homes. The performances of Danish pensioners were met with enthusiasm of the audience. Apart from Viennese waltzes, the orchestra played Spanish and Italian musical pieces together with Scandinavian folk songs. The listeners marvelled at jodling skills presented by the singer performing with the orchestra. The representatives of local authorities were present at the concerts.

In the year 2002 the Council of Europe decided to award a prestigious Europe Prize to Gdynia for its contribution to the development of international relations. Apart from a trophy, Gdynia was presented with money prize to be spent on a study visit of young people from Gdynia to one or a couple of European cities. In order to select the winning class, which would be able to take part in the above-mentioned visit, the Interschool Competition entitled “With Gdynia to Europe" was organized. It was class III m from the High School no 3 in Gdynia that won the competition and was awarded a trip to Brussels (Belgium) and Strasbourg (France) combined with visits to European institutions.

Brussels was the first city in the itinerary. During two-day stay in the European capital, pupils from Gdynia visited the European Parliament, where they got acquainted with the functioning rules and organisation of this institution. After the visit to the Parliament, the students went to the EU Info Centre located in the vicinity of the Parliament. In the Centre they were provided with detailed information as well as brochures on the structure and functioning of the European Union. Additionally, while visiting Brussels, the pupils had also the opportunity to admire the renowned Old City of Brussels as well as Atomium and take a close look at the majestic edifices of European institutions.

Strasbourg was the next stage of the European journey. Again, the students took part in a study visit, this time to the seat of the Council of Europe. Thanks to the presentation of a documentary film, the young people became familiar with the character, peculiarity and the history of the Council of Europe. In addition, the students visited the plenary hall where the sessions of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly take place. They also participated in the meeting with a Polish representative at the Council of Europe.
The meeting was organised as a lecture combined with discussion during which young people asked questions concerning subjects they were interested in. After the visit to the Council of Europe, the students went sightseeing in Strasbourg, visiting among others La Petite France, a charming district and an important example of French Gothic style - St. Mary Cathedral.

The second prize was awarded to the III b class from High School no 10. It was a day trip to Karlskrona, which took place on 12th September 2003. During their stay in Sweden, the girls attended the meeting with Deputy Chairperson of Karlskrona City Council. After the visit to the City Hall, the class had a meeting with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Karlskrona. There was a guided tour in the city included in the itinerary. The students visited the Naval Museum. Apart from typically marine expositions presented in the museum, the students could admire an exhibition illustrating the history of Karlskrona, a city included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1998.

As a result of the art competition entitled “Dreams Without Limits" organised for disabled children from UBC cities there has been created a big collection of children’s works. It constitutes the material for the so-called “travelling exhibitions", aiming at presenting the works in UBC member cities. The opening day of the exhibition took place on 15th September in “Ratusz" Gallery of Gdynia City Hall. Children with disabilities from schools in Gdynia were present at the opening. Among them there was Adam Plichta, the competition participant from Gdynia.
The following schedule for the “Dreams Without Limits" exhibition was prepared:

Within the seven-day visit to Poland of the All China Journalists Association, seven guests from China visited Gdynia City Hall. They represented the most important Chinese newspapers as well as the Chinese Embassy in Poland and the Polish Section of “China Radio International". A representative of the Marine Department of the Polish Journalists Association in Gdańsk arrived in Gdynia together with the delegation. The visit was organised on the basis of an exchange agreement between the Association of Journalists of the Republic of Poland and the All China Journalists Association. The aim of foreign guests’ stay in Poland was to get acquainted with the situation on Polish media market, the progress in economic development as well as to visit culture and tourist centres. The meeting of the Chinese and our local authorities took place on the 19th of September. During the meeting the delegation had an opportunity to become familiar with the policy of our city, its foreign relations and the most important investments. What interested Chinese guests most was Gdynia’s maritime policy, environmentally friendly activities and projects launched in order to make the life of the disabled easier.

On 18th September 2003, the official presentation of Queen’s Scholar Award to Mr. Piotr Gruchała took place at the Polish Maritime Museum. Inaugurated in 1995 in connection with the State Visit to Poland of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the award is granted annually to one out of over 20 participants of Joseph Conrad Scholarship programme, which is administered by the British Council. It was Lieutenant Colonel Ian Watts, Naval and Military Attaché who presented Mr. Gruchała with a diploma. He was also presented with a congratulatory letter from the Mayor of Gdynia.

Piotr Gruchała, a 26-year-old University of Gdańsk graduate, has completed an MSc in Economics in Maritime Transport and Seaborne Trade. Since September 2003 the scholar has been studying Coastal and Ocean Policy at Plymouth University, in Gdynia’s twin city. He wishes to become an expert in the economy of marine environment.

It was the UBC Commission on Environment that announced a competition for Best Environmental Practice in the Baltic Cities Award 2003. Applications from 9 cities of 5 countries were submitted to the organizers. The following cities participated in the competition: Aalborg (Denmark), Cesis (Latvia), Gdynia (Poland), Jurmala (Latvia), Kaliningrad (Russia), Kaunas (Lithuania), Panevezys (Lithuania), Sopot (Poland), Vilnius (Lithuania). The main objective of the contest was to encourage UBC member cities to develop administration and services in an innovative way for the benefit of the municipality and its inhabitants. When evaluating particular applications, the competition organizers took into account the innovative quality of the project, its relevancy, influence on environmental problems and its quality as well as the effectiveness of implemented solutions. It was the city of Cesis in Latvia which was awarded the first prize for the project entitled “Environmental Development Board".

The city of Gdynia was distinguished for its project - “Gdynia - environmentally friendly city". The project of Gdynia presented a couple of different undertakings, the aim of which was to raise awareness of the inhabitants in respect of the natural environment and sustainable development. The activities encompassed among others thematic competitions for example for the most interesting ecological website, informational actions promoting more environmentally friendly lifestyle as well as outdoor educational projects. The decision to distinguish Gdynia was justified by the fact that in its projects the city used the latest technologies and innovative methods aiming at activating social groups not often having contact with environmental issues. The Competition Committee also distinguished the cities of Sopot and Kaliningrad.