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 civil preparedness are now at the forefront of policy agendas. Participants examined how this shift is draining funding and political attention away from cultural activities at local, national, and regional levels. The question of how to demonstrate the indispensable role of culture in fostering social cohesion and resilience, while safeguarding funding, emerged as a central challenge.

A poll conducted during the online session established that sixty percent of participants experienced that there was political awareness and support for culture’s role for social cohesion, well-being and resilience. Another 26% indicated that while awareness was low, there was an eagerness from local politicians to learn more about what culture could do. Meanwhile, half of the participants (50%) had already experienced cutbacks or diminishing attention for cultural activity or were expecting it in the near future, as a result of the salience of security related issues.

A recurring theme was the strategic alignment of cultural initiatives with societal needs regarding security and preparedness. Experts highlighted that cultural activities—when thoughtfully integrated—can serve as powerful tools for community building, identity reinforcement, and cohesion, even in times of crisis or austerity. Sharing tangible examples, participants discussed how cultural projects can be positioned as vital contributions to societal resilience, thereby strengthening their case for support amid competing priorities. Increasingly, social cohesion is regarded a key component of national security – yet it remains unclear how it should be strategically addressed or by whom. Meanwhile, the future of the European cohesion policy and its funding have also been put into question, further aggravating fears that key initiatives across social and cultural sectors will be left unfunded.

The session featured practical insights on fostering this alignment. Experts emphasized that articulating the value of cultural activities in terms of community, social capital, and cohesion can help elevate their status within policymaking and funding decisions. For instance, cultural and artistic practices can bolster community identity, facilitate intergenerational dialogue, and provide platforms for increasing societal preparedness—an approach that aligns with a whole-of-society perspective.

Participants also scrutinized the current impact on cultural departments and civil society actors, recognizing that many already face constraints due to reduced budgets and diminished political support. This reality underscores the need for innovative strategies to sustain and amplify the influence of culture in resilience-building efforts.

Additional insights were gleaned from Ukrainian partners, whose experiences with conflict and community rebuilding shed light on the critical contributions of culture for communities under duress. Their perspectives reinforced that even in highly unstable environments, cultural expression remains a vital tool for social cohesion, healing, and community strength.

The discussion also explored how a whole-of-society approach—encouraging collaboration across governmental departments, community initiatives, civil society, and cultural organizations—can serve as an effective framework for embedding culture into resilience strategies at the local level. Interdepartmental cooperation and cross-sector partnerships were identified as key enablers in this endeavour.

In summary, the session reaffirmed that cultural expression is not peripheral but central to resilient societies. By strategically aligning cultural activities with societal security and resilience objectives, communities can foster stronger identities, civic engagement, and social cohesion—ultimately contributing to more adaptable and enduring societies.

As active citizenships, cohesion and trust remain the bulwark of open, democratic societies, local authorities represent the frontline – and cultural activities their primary tool.

As cities and communities navigate complex and often turbulent realities, this session reaffirms that culture is more than art—it is a cornerstone of societal strength and resilience. As active citizenships, cohesion and trust remain the bulwark of open, democratic societies local authorities represent the frontline, and cultural activities their primary tool. Continued dialogue and strategic action will be key to ensuring that cultural resilience remains a vital part of future societal development.

Zoom poll results

A brief polls was conducted during the Cultural Pearls Network Online Session to gather perspectives on the role of culture and community in times of insecurity.

1. What is community resilience to you? (Number of respondents – 17)

During the Network session, participants described community resilience as the ability of a group to stay united, adaptable, and supportive in the face of challenges. Key themes included strong interpersonal trust and communication, solidarity and a shared vision or goal, and the capacity to learn from crises. Many emphasized “bouncing back” together—withstanding shocks, recovering from setbacks, and even leveraging difficult experiences for improvement—all while maintaining a close-knit, inclusive atmosphere.

2. In your experience, is there political awareness and support for culture’s role for social cohesion, well-being and resilience? (Number of respondents – 27)

The majority of respondents (60%, combining 4% “Yes, clearly” and 56% “Yes, mostly”) perceive that there is political awareness and support for culture’s role in social cohesion, well-being, and resilience. Another 26% noted a willingness to learn despite current gaps, while 15% observed general disinterest—and no one selected “I don’t know.

3. In your experience, has political focus on security and defence impacted your local cultural funding or cultural activities? (Number of respondents – 26)

A plurality of respondents (35%) reported decreased attention or funding for culture due to the political focus on security and defense, while 8% noted an increase. Nearly a third (34%) saw no change yet but expect a future impact (19% positive, 15% negative). Meanwhile, 12% observed no impact at all and another 12% were unsure.

4. In which area do you see the biggest challenge for cultural initiatives in your community? (Number of respondents – 28)

A clear majority of respondents (68%) identified securing adequate funding as the biggest challenge for cultural initiatives in their community. Demonstrating societal value and obtaining political support and recognition were each seen as the primary challenge by 14%, while 4% pointed to interdepartmental collaboration. No one selected “Other.”