Network
In the Cultural Pearls network we believe culture and creativity foster social connections, trust, innovation, well-being, and sense of belonging
By embedding these values into local governance, we empower people to engage, interact and thrive, shaping adaptable and resilient communities across the region
We empower local authorities in the Baltic Sea region to:
We offer
Community
Share experiences, collaborate and gain momentum.
Events
Annual Forum and interactive workshops.
Resources
Methods, tools and learning opportunities.
Recognition
The prestigious BSR Cultural Pearls title.
Mentorship
Tailored guidance on the Cultural Pearls journey.
Updates
Events, news, achievements.
What’s up?
BSR Cultural Pearls 2024 meet in Kiel to learn, to exchange, to network
On 18-19 September the representatives from the cities awarded the BSR Cultural Pearls title for 2024 – Kiel (DE), Svendborg (DK), Jakobstad/Pietarsaari (FI) and Rujiena (LV), met in Kiel to take part in the BSR Cultural Pearls Transnational Exchange. During the two-day visit they got to know the Kiel Welcome Centre and their marketing strategies on culture and tourism, met colleagues in the Kiel Creative City Department and Creative Hubs as well as visited Kiel Opera to see the work in progress on the children’s opera as part of Kiel’s Culture and Resilience Action Plan. In parallel they all shared…
First Cultural Pearls Network Conference in Helsingborg (SE)
Join us for the first Cultural Pearls Network Conference, part of the BSR Cultural Pearls project. The conference will unite Cultural Pearls, former candidate cities, and stakeholders to strengthen communities through culture and creativity. This two-day event, co-hosted by the Cultural Pearl 2025, the City of Helsingborg, features study visits, networking, and roundtable discussions under the theme “From Case to Method”. Together, we will explore practical approaches and proven methods for building resilientcommunities and adapting them to local contexts. In collaboration with the Resilient Communities Learning Platform, we are also excited to welcome stakeholders from Sweden, Ukraine, and Moldova to…
Cultural Pearls Network conference, to foster exchange and collaboration in Baltic Sea Region and beyond
From 3 – 5 March the first BSR Cultural Pearls Network conference took place in Helsingborg, Sweden. The event brought together small and medium-sized cities in the Baltic Sea Region, which have been awarded the BSR Cultural Pearls title in 2024 and 2025, BSR Cultural Pearls project partners and RESCOM (Resilient Communities Learning Platform) project partners from Ukraine and Moldova. “The mission of the Cultural Pearls Network is to empower local authorities in the Baltic Sea Region by promoting stronger and more resilient communities, fostering community engagement, exploring culture and creativity as a driver of positive change, and most importantly…
Securing Culture: Culture and community actions in times of insecurity
Cultural Pearls Network Online Session 2025 In an increasingly complex global landscape, the crucial role of culture in fostering resilient communities remains a compelling and urgent topic. The latest session of the Cultural Pearls Network underscored this importance, bringing together experts, practitioners, and network members to explore how cultural initiatives can contribute to societal resilience amid shifting political priorities and security concerns. Under the title “Securing Culture” the Cultural Pearls Network gathered local authorities across the BSR, Ukraine and Moldova to discuss how the shifting security landscape is affecting cultural policy and budgets on a local level. Defence, security, and…
Płock to Host Second Cultural Pearls Network Conference
From September 16–19, 2025, the city of Płock, Poland, will welcome the second Cultural Pearls Network conference. The event will bring together representatives from small and medium-sized cities awarded the BSR Cultural Pearls title in 2024 and 2025, as well as project partners from the BSR Cultural Pearls and RESCOM (Resilient Communities Learning Platform) initiatives, including participants from Ukraine and Moldova. This international event will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange on social resilience related topics and case studies that are helping communities across the region become stronger and more cohesive through culture. Participants can look forward to a…
Cultural Pearls Network Conference: Engage and Activate – Strengthening Communities through Culture in Płock
The city of Płock, Poland – one of the Cultural Pearls 2025 – hosted a vibrant international conference on culture-driven social resilience from 17 to 19 September 2025. Under the theme ‘Engage and Activate’, the Cultural Pearls Network and RESCOM partners came together for their second joint meeting, bringing together cultural actors, policymakers, and community representatives from across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. Under the theme ‘Engage and Activate‘, the programme of the conference included case studies, panel discussions, keynote speeches and study visits across the city. The event brought together former and current BSR Cultural Pearl cities, 2026 candidate…
