BERAS Implementation offers a response to the challenges to achieve a good environmental status in the Baltic Sea, reinforce sustainable agriculture and enhance rural development in the region.Objectives:Contribute to solving the problem of excessive nutrient losses from agricultural through introduction of conversion to Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) in all countries of the BSRDevelop a system involving the whole food chain from farmer to consumer on a local and regional scale that contributes to rural developmentExchange and build competence in the whole food chain with a focus on market driven development of the ecological sectorMain outputs:One BERAS Implementation Centre (BIC) including Market Cluster and network demonstrating Ecological Recycling Agriculture and local food chain system established in each of the partner countriesA number of new ERA farms and regional based food systems establishedPractical guidelines for conversion to ERA farms, local food chain societies including business plansGuidelines for institutions and consumers for conv. to Baltic Sea Adapted FoodGuidelines for BERAS agricultural policy, BERAS University educational package for students and teachersBSR follow-up system for eutrophication reduction Achievements: Solving the eutrophication problem of the Baltic Sea requires a systemic shift in the whole food chain. Concept development and implementation of Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA), Sustainable Food Societies (SFS) and Diet for a Clean Baltic (DCB) are core activities in BERAS. The project cooperates with 42 ERA farms for developing and communicating best agricultural practices. 20 Information Centres have been established to demonstrate ERA, SFS and DCB in nine countries in the Baltic Sea Region. They have exhibitions that present their farming practices and environmental consequences of agriculture and food consumption. The Information Centres show ways to reduce the environmental impact of the food sector and at the same time strengthen local communities and rural areas. They function as learning centres for farmers, school children, students, policy makers and the general public and as good examples for similar initiatives to be established. Diet for a Clean Baltic (DCB) is developed and practised in several partner countries. In Södertälje municipality it is implemented in all kitchens in schools, elder care and social institutions. The good practises are spread through partner exchange, a kitchen handbook and offspring projects. BERAS education programme, including children’s books, schoolbooks and academic literature, has been produced in several languages and is available at beras.eu. The main learning material for conversion is Guidelines for Ecological Recycling Agriculture developed by scientists and advisors during the project. It consists of Farming, Economic and Marketing Guidelines, Software Tools and Farm Examples. They are translated into most BSR languages and are spread to farmers and advisors through national advisor services and farmers’ organisations. Farmers’ University, where farmers learn from each other in dialogue with experts and researchers for further developing ERA, was launched. Policy recommendations with concrete measures have been produced to support implementation of ERA, DCB and SFS principles. They are targeting international organisations, governments, authorities and NGOs and addresses regional, national and EU level in order to allow a systemic shift in the food sector. Our achievements will have a long term positive effect on the Baltic Sea, biodiversity, climate change and other environmental issues related to agriculture and food. We also foresee improved rural development, increased work opportunities and enhanced cultural and social development. BERAS International Network has been established in order to continue our activities after project end. The network consists of partners from Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Several local, national and international offspring projects have been initiated and new projects are planned.