EU Regions Week 2025 in Brussels: Cultural Pearls on the European Stage | 13–15 October 2025 Discover how the BSR Cultural Pearls project brought culture-driven resilience to Europe’s spotlight at the EU Week of Regions and Cities 2025 in Brussels, showcasing municipalities, methods and good practices that strengthen communities across the Baltic Sea Region.
Cultural Pearls Highlight Culture for Resilience at EU Regions Week 2025
The BSR Cultural Pearls project, with ARS BALTICA as a key consortium partner, had the honour of presenting its work at the European Week of Regions and Cities from 13–15 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium — one of Europe’s largest events for regional development and cooperation.
At the project’s exhibition stand, visitors were introduced to the award-winning municipalities from across the Baltic Sea Region and their inspiring practices in building social resilience through culture. These examples demonstrated how towns and cities can mobilise local creativity, identity and community spirit to respond to challenges and strengthen social cohesion.
A European crossroads for exchange
The event served as a vibrant meeting point for policymakers, experts and local leaders from across Europe. For Cultural Pearls, it was a valuable opportunity to broaden visibility at the European level and reflect on the growing recognition the initiative has gained over recent years.
Representatives Pia Blomström (Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, FI) and Marie Feddersen (Varde Municipality, DK) engaged in insightful conversations with stakeholders — including Member of the European Parliament Anna-Maja Henriksson — about the strong interplay between culture and resilience.
Together with partners from Regional Council of Ostrobothnia (FI), Varde Municipality (DK) and the Danish Cultural Institute, the project team presented concrete examples from the Culture and Resilience Action Plans (CuReAPs) of the 2024 and 2025 Cultural Pearls. These cases were accessible via the project’s interactive Culture for Resilience Platform, which visitors could explore directly at the stand.
Recognition at European level
The experience proved rewarding not only because of new connections, but also because numerous visitors had already heard positive things about the project’s impact. This reflects growing awareness of culture’s role in strengthening societies.
Adding to this momentum, the European Commission’s 2025 report on EU macro-regional strategies (COM(2025)196) highlights the Baltic Sea Region as a frontrunner in green and digital transitions. It stresses the key role of local communities and small citiesin driving resilience and innovation — naming BSR Cultural Pearls as a standout example of how macro-regional strategies create real, tangible change on the ground.
Local action — European impact
As project partners, ARS BALTICA and the whole consortium take pride in supporting municipalities in strengthening cohesion, resilience and creativity through culture. The Cultural Pearls initiative shows that macro-regional strategies are more than abstract frameworks from Brussels — they are practical tools that empower local actors to shape Europe’s sustainable future.
