Light in the Dark – Increasing resilience in rural and coastal tourism in the northern Baltic Sea Region by developing off-season experiences

Light in the Dark

Light in the Dark at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn

22 May 2026

Light in the Dark joined the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn, showcasing its work with SMEs and engaging with partners on building a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.

Technical details

Light in the Dark was represented at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 – Resilience Edition, held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 11–13 May 2026. The event brought together policymakers, project partners, researchers and stakeholders from across the Baltic Sea Region to exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation around shared challenges.

This year’s discussions focused on resilience, with particular attention to how the region can respond to climate change, demographic shifts, security concerns and economic development through closer collaboration and innovation.

Showcasing tourism cooperation in the region

Light in the Dark joined the forum as part of EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism, alongside other Interreg Baltic Sea Region projects working towards more sustainable tourism:

Regenerative Tourism Platform (RegenT)
Climate Neutral Destination Network (CliNeDest)
REDIRECT Regenerative Tourism (REDIRECT)

Together, these initiatives highlighted how tourism can contribute to long-term resilience, especially in rural and coastal areas.

At the Networking Village, Light in the Dark connected with partners and stakeholders, sharing insights into the project’s work with SMEs. The focus was on developing off-season, nature-based experiences and supporting destinations in addressing seasonality.

Building connections for the future

The forum offered valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, build new connections and strengthen existing partnerships. Discussions at the Policy Area Tourism stand reinforced the importance of cross-border cooperation in supporting a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.

Overall, the EUSBSR Annual Forum once again demonstrated how collaboration across countries and sectors can help shape the future of the Baltic Sea Region.