Protecting the Baltic Sea through action and collaboration
Insights|September 10, 2026
As this year’s Baltic Sea Day brought people and organizations together around a shared commitment to our sea, it also served as a reminder of the work that continues long after the day itself.
One organization leading those efforts is the John Nurminen Foundation, a long-standing Roschier Impact pro bono partner dedicated to improving the state of the Baltic Sea through concrete environmental projects, collaboration, and public engagement. Founded in 1992, the Foundation works to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the Baltic Sea, from nutrient loading and biodiversity loss to the impacts of climate change and maritime activity.
What makes the Baltic Sea particularly vulnerable is also what makes it unique. Shallow and slow to renew its waters, it is highly sensitive to environmental pressures. At the same time, it is a sea that connects countries, cultures, communities, and millions of people across Northern Europe. Protecting it requires long-term commitment and cooperation between businesses, public institutions, researchers, and civil society.
The John Nurminen Foundation’s work is rooted in practical action. Its projects range from reducing nutrient runoff from agriculture and advancing more sustainable maritime practices to protecting marine habitats and strengthening people’s connection to the sea through culture and education. Rather than focusing solely on raising awareness, the Foundation seeks to drive tangible environmental impact through initiatives that deliver measurable results.
Baltic Sea Day, which the Foundation launched in 2019, reflects the same philosophy. The annual initiative encourages individuals, communities, companies, and organizations to celebrate, enjoy, and protect the Baltic Sea, while highlighting the idea that everyone has a role to play in safeguarding its future. Since its launch, the initiative has grown into a broad movement across the Baltic Sea region.
Roschier has worked alongside the John Nurminen Foundation for many years, supporting a wide range of projects through pro bono legal advice. The partnership has involved more than 30 projects over the years, covering matters such as governance, contracts, environmental law, data protection, and international collaboration.
Through Roschier Impact, we are committed to supporting organizations that address important societal and environmental challenges. Our collaboration with the John Nurminen Foundation is one example of how legal expertise can help enable initiatives that create long-term benefits for both society and the environment.
As Baltic Sea Day reminds us each year, the future of the Baltic Sea depends on collective action. We are proud to support the John Nurminen Foundation in its mission to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from our shared sea.
Read more: