Call for Applications for the BSR Cultural Pearls 2026 title announced

The Call for Applications for BSR Cultural Pearls 2026 title offers a unique opportunity for municipalities to gain international recognition for their efforts while becoming part of a regional network of 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 serves as 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 that leads to better-functioning, healthier neighbourhoods, where co-creation, cooperation, and the involvement of various stakeholders foster mutual trust, civic engagement, and a stronger connection 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 build the capacity to continue their progress.

“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 Council of the Baltic Sea States, the lead partner.

Since its launch in 2023, competition for the title has grown each year, 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 4 April 2025.

Find out more information on the application process here.

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