The 30th Meeting of the NDPHS Alcohol and Substance Use Expert Group (ASA EG) was held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 17–18 June 2026. Experts from the Baltic Sea Region, together with representatives from WHO Europe, the Nordic Welfare Centre, NordAN, Movendi International and the NDPHS Secretariat, discussed alcohol policy, tobacco control, nicotine products, drug policy, prevention and regional public health cooperation.

Based on a master's thesis and a review of international studies, the research identifies six key factors that help retain experienced nurses in the workforce: supporting physical work ability, flexible scheduling, mental resilience, a supportive work environment, recognition and role renewal, and continuous professional development. The findings reinforce SAFE's mission to create age-friendly workplaces that enable longer, healthier, and more sustainable careers.

Policy Area Health of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) together with the Estonian Mental Health Coalition (VATEK), organised the Arts on Prescription (AoP) Estonian National Transfer Webinar bringing together experts, policymakers, cultural practitioners, and health professionals to explore how arts and cultural participation can support mental health and well-being and to consider what it would take to bring Arts on Prescription to Estonia.

At the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn, where resilience was largely discussed in terms of security, defence, and infrastructure, the session organised by the Coordinator for Policy Area Health - NDPHS, focused on a more fundamental issue: the people who keep systems running. The session Caring for those who care for us brought attention to the health and social care workforce, not as a supporting element of resilience, but as its core condition.

Following the Council of the European Union’s welcome of Norway’s inclusion in the Strategy on 5 May 2026, the European Commission adopted a Communication formalising the inclusion on 18 May. In November 2025, Norway assumed the NDPHS Chairship, the Partnership especially warmly welcomes the country as a full member of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, further strengthening regional cooperation and shared priorities.

“A healthy enterprise requires healthy workers” highlighted Dr. Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Minister of Local and Regional Government of Finland, at the 3rd Baltic Sea Business Day in Rostock. Her remarks set the tone for an event focused on finding the critical alignment between economic success and employee wellbeing. Policymakers and business leaders urged a cross-sector shift toward preventive health measures to combat rising sick leave and secure long-term productivity across the region.

ArtWell NET is an initiative financially supported by the Swedish Institute that brings together experts from the health and cultural sectors to promote the concept of ‘Arts on Prescription’. The 20–21 April event was organised in a hybrid format and brought together experts and practitioners, creating the conditions for the exchange of experiences and the development of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region and Ukraine.