25 authorities in the Barents Region started the project STBR in 2003 to co-operate in sustainable development of the transport sector in Barents. STBR phase I was financed by regional and national authorities in Finland, Sweden and Norway together with the European Union Regional Development Fund within the BSR Interreg III B Neighbourhood Programme. The total project ran from 2003 to 2005 with a budget of 2.15 million euros.

• Strengthen transport-planning cooperation in the Barents Region
• Increase the common understanding of transport problems in the region
• Help decision makers, planners, authorities and companies to see the region as a single transport area
• Promote sustainable development in the region

During STBR, 16 sub-projects were carried out concerning issues related to road transport, aviation, rail, maritime and logistics. Some studies also focused on the more general perquisites of developing transport, like transport economics, evaluation and modelling. A wealth of information was accumulated and analysed on the characteristics and details of the Barents transportation system.  The sub-projects and other sub-activities are presented in STBR General Summary Report on an overview level. Also the complete subproject reports are available in the library Reports/publications.

The two most important STBR results possessing long term effects were 1) data collection and analysis products and 2) enhancing and building up the international networking - within and between authorities, stakeholders and experts.