Background About 80% of industrial activity in the exclave, approximately 300 large and medium and 40 000 small industrial enterprises, is based in Kaliningrad city. This intensive industrial activity, in combination with the lack of effective treatment and control facilities and mechanisms, has resulted in severe environmental and health problems. To date, efforts and initiatives have been undertaken to improve the environmental conditions of the city; clean up polluted areas; and reduce the amount of untreated wastewater discharged into the environment. Efforts to install end-of-the-pipe solutions combined with preventive actions to regulate pollution and control industrial accidents are necessary to reduce negative environmental and health effects from industry. Objectives The project aimed to promote the improvement of the environmental and safety performance of the industrial sector in Kaliningrad, and to ensure the effective control and monitoring of these activities by the competent authorities. This was meant to be achieved through the promotion of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) practices and the development and implementation of environmental and safety management systems. All those involved in the industrial activities of the region were to be given information and training on how to use these instruments during seminars and workshops. Furthermore, a web-based info-library was foreseen to provide all relevant information to stakeholders. Results The project succeeded in its main aims. The main activities in the project included: Determination of the requirements deriving from the Russian and EC legislation/policy on environmental and safety management (IPPC and SEVESO Directives, EMAS Regulation) Development of tools (distribution of 304 questionnaires, site visits, communication with experts, networking with authorities and organizations, searching of existing databases and documents, sampling, measurements, chemical analyses) and methodology for the implementation of an inventory of industrial activities, environmental and safety issues. Thanks to 134 good quality responses to the questionnaires, the beneficiary was able to insert valuable environmental information in the databases. Development of specifications for sampling/measurements/analyses. This included the preparation of two respective manuals on industrial air emissions and wastewater discharges. Development of a methodology for quality assurance/control of the results of the inventory Design - development of a software system consisting of three databases (regional facilities registry; regional monitoring pollution and emission register and database for BATs, safety and environmental management systems; emission limit values) for the management and elaboration of data and information related to industrial activity in Kaliningrad Examination of current practices for the prevention and management of pollution caused by industrial activities. Against this background, training sessions on EMAS were conducted. Development of guidelines and recommendations for the implementation of BATs in the various industries (collection of data, visit to EIPPCB, training seminar). Sectors participating at the training included dairy and poultry producers, producers of wine and liquors, waste treatment companies, bricks and tiles producers and four ship building and metal processing companies. Examination of current practices on safety management in the Kaliningrad industrial sector. The majority of stakeholders involved in the industrial activity of the region were informed and trained on these instruments via seminars and workshops as well as through a web-based Info-library, still operational after the finalisation of the project. The very effective cooperation among the project participants (such as the Kaliningrad City Hall and the Mayor's office) and more than half of the industrial enterprises in the city was a major project success. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).