Arhipelaag is a non-profit research and development organisation whose purpose is to foster a sustainable way of life on the coast and islands. Since its founding in 1997, Arhipelaag has been involved in an area that touches the boundaries of nature conservation, culture and rural economy. We believe that a clean environment is an inseparable part of life quality; that man can attain a balanced relationship with nature; that a high-quality local product is superior to nameless mass-production; that the coast is our common treasure.

In its work Arhipelaag is guided by the principles of biosphere reserves. Biosphere reserves are the areas of sustainable development and nature conservation established on the basis of UNESCO` s Man and the Biosphere Programme. We are a founding member of Biosphere Programme Foundation (December 2001).

Arhipelaag organises various projects, the most comprehensive of them being the Väinameri Project. The idea of the project is to maintain the use of semi-natural coastal areas and to promote a nature-friendly rural economy.