It reflects the ethnic, linguistic, historical and cultural regional identity and traditions and creates preconditions for the development of cultural and social competences in the regions which meet the needs of modern society.
Policy Area Culture promotes regional culture & strengthens cultural identity through cooperation
Under EUSBSR, Policy Area Culture promotes the Baltic Sea Region cultural and creative industries by encouraging creative entrepreneurship, as well as promoting and presenting Baltic Sea Region culture using the innovative force of culture for societal development. PA Culture also focuses on preservation and presentation the Baltic Sea Region cultural heritage and strengthening the cultural identity of the region, as well as developing an efficient framework for Baltic Sea region cultural cooperation.
- After Action Plan revision in 2020, the Policy Area Culture is one of 14 Policy Areas of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region which was introduced as the EU's first macro-regional strategy in 2009. After having lobbied successfully for this Policy Area, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland and the Ministry of Justice, Cultural and Consumer Protection Affairs of Land Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) have taken on the role as Policy Area Coordinators, PA Culture coordinator Rafał Jewdokimow explains.
More weight on cultural cooperation
- Cultural cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region is more and more important. Now culture is on the agenda of the significant Annual Fora for the EU Baltic Sea Strategy. A few years ago, culture was hardly noticeable on European level. Furthermore, PA Culture contributes significantly to a better strategic project development in the cultural field. The cooperation between the different cultural actors on local, regional, national and pan-Baltic level has been improved. The regular meetings and news exchange lead to a trustful cooperation atmosphere, Mr. Jewdokimow points out.
What is more, PA coordinator told us about another great result of PA Culture – the foundation of a group that is developing the instrument of ‘BALTIC SEA CULTURAL CITIES – Connecting Citizens & Cities through Culture’. This initiative targets the "Connect the Region" goal of the Strategy in an expanded form. It shall help strengthening cultural ties in the region, citizen participation and people-to-people contacts, also with the non-EU countries of the region.
Projects safeguarding unique cultural heritage
When asked about great examples of cooperation under PA Culture, Mr. Jewdokimow mentions project “BalticRIM - Baltic Sea Region Integrated Maritime Cultural Heritage Management”. The cultural heritage of the Baltic Sea Region is exceptionally versatile and well preserved even in a global comparison. However, today the maritime cultural heritage assets are only barely protected but endangered by different economic uses.
- The BalticRIM project is developing tools to integrate cultural heritage resource management into the Maritime Spatial Planning in the Baltic Sea, across all BSR countries, including Norway and Russian Federation. BalticRIM contributes to safeguard the uniqueness of the underwater heritage of the Baltic Sea, PA Culture coordinator sums up.
- About ten flagship projects have contributed or still contribute to PA Culture, mainly financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region program and Erasmus, PA coordinator tells.
- Whereas PA Culture Flagships are gainers as regards Seed Money funds, funding for the main projects remains challenging. Cultural projects without innovative or cultural heritage approach are not eligible under the Interreg BSR Programme. It is necessary that the next Interreg BSR Programme would in general provide funding for all objectives and policy areas of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Furthermore, we need facilitated access for flagship projects to the specialized EU funding programs such as Creative Europe after 2020, he adds.
Cooperation with other Policy Areas and macro-regional strategies
PA Culture is interrelated with other Policy Areas as well. For example, recently PA Culture has cooperated with PA Tourism and PA Health on workshop on culture and well-being. However, when asked about future expectation from the new decade of EUSBSR, Rafał Jewdokimow shared that more cooperation with other stakeholders, including local ones, is expected.
- Common projects with other PAs and possibility of pan-regional cooperation – for example with other MRS – is our expectations for the next decade, he tells.
Furthermore, PA coordinator explained that the future of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region depends on a strong political commitment and a better participation of the citizens. You are welcome to actively take place in PA Culture activities and future events.
Check more information about PA Culture and upcoming events here: https://www.eusbsr-culture.eu/