Socially Resilient Communities: Apply for the BSR Cultural Pearls 2025 Title

The second call for the BSR Cultural Pearls Title within the BSR Cultural Pearls project led by the Council of the Baltic Sea States is now open!

BSR Cultural Pearls is a title designed for smaller towns, cities, and municipalities, offering awarded candidates a programme and support to utilise culture in fostering social resilience. By actively engaging and involving their citizens, enhancing quality of life, fostering a sense of belonging and trust, they can strengthen and make their communities more resilient.

Local authorities from the Baltic Sea Region, particularly those from less central areas, are invited to embark on this transformative journey and apply.

The core of every society is communities. They form the backbone of every society’s ability to overcome challenges, collaborate, and build a better future together. Local authorities play an essential role in creating conditions for communities to thrive. In Cultural Pearls, cities learn from each other how to make use of culture as a tool for engagement, participation and empowerment.

Felix Schartner Giertta, BSR Cultural Pearls project manager representing Lead partner Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat.

New applicants will join the network of municipalities that have already initiated work with their communities – BSR Cultural Pearls 2024 Kiel (Germany), Svendborg (Denmark), Jakobstad/Pietarsaari (Finland), and Rūjiena (Latvia) are currently undergoing a one-year program of Culture and Resilience action plan implementation. This is supported by mentors and experts through webinars and study visits, and they will have experiences to share.

The journey to becoming a BSR Cultural Pearl unfolds in stages. Initially, a selection based on motivation and concept identifies eligible candidates. These candidates then proceed to the phase of action plan development, creating Culture and Resilience Action Plans with access to specialised tools, webinars, and individual mentorship. An international jury then selects the most outstanding and impactful action plans to award the BSR Cultural Pearl title.

Applications can be submitted until 24 May.

For more information including the application process and criteria, please visit the BSR Cultural Pearls title’s website.

For details regarding the application for the BSR Cultural Pearls 2025 and selection process, please contact: Ms. Egija Salnikova, Project Manager at ARS BALTICA: [email protected].