Call for applications for the title of BSR Cultural Pearl 2026

The BSR Cultural Pearls programme has opened its third call for applications for the title of Baltic Sea Region Cultural Pearls 2026. Municipalities in the region are invited to apply and join a programme that helps to build resilient communities through culture. The call offers a unique opportunity to gain international recognition for their work while joining a regional network of existing Pearl cities committed to creating liveable cities and resilient communities.

The Cultural Pearl Title is a sign of recognition for small and medium-sized municipalities in the Baltic Sea Region and an accelerator for developing socially resilient communities by harnessing the power of culture.

The goal for any city applying for the title is to create and implement an Action Plan leading to better functioning, healthier neighbourhoods where co-creation, cooperation and involvement of different stakeholders create mutual trust, civic engagement and better understanding between decision-makers and citizens.

Access to materials, peer-learning and experts during the title year will allow to test new approaches to community cohesion, see first results and gain capacity to continue further.

“The Cultural Pearls title puts the spotlight on the role of communities for societal resilience. Our aim is to equip our cities with the tools and momentum to make their communities thrive”, says Felix Schartner Giertta, BSR Cultural Pearls project manager, representing the lead partner of the project Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat.

Competition for the title has increased every year since the start of the project in 2023, with 18 cities applying in last year’s call. “The biggest strength of our approach is the mentorship offered during the application process, meaning each applicant-city gains a well-developed action plan, whether or not they manage to secure the title at the end”, says Egija Salnikova, head of the selection process.

Applications for the Cultural Pearls 2026 title are now open, with submissions accepted until 4th of April 2025. For more information on the application process and the project, please visit www.culturalpearls.eu.

The Danish Cultural Institute is a partner in the BSR Cultural Pearls project, which co-funded by EU’s Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme.