Preliminary programme at a glance

Arrival and registration. Networking at the EUSBSR Networking Village.

The lunch tables are organised thematically around the priorities of the BSSSC Working Plan 2026–2027 to facilitate targeted networking.

Harnessing the power of cross-border cooperation, projects like BSR Cultural Pearls and RESCOM demonstrate how local and regional authorities can take concrete action to strengthen social cohesion, support collaboration with Ukraine, and build resilient, connected communities that inspire the entire region.

ClimaResponse project addressing the increasing climate risks by enhancing the capacity of local and regional public authorities to plan and implement integrated climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies, strengthening climate resilience in the Baltic Sea Region.

The blueprint is already in motion, with Bornholm leading the way as the EU’s first offshore energy island, while Gotland, Åland and Saaremaa are developing supportive ecosystems that can expand naturally as the Baltic offshore grid grows.

A shortlist of joint actions for the Baltic Sea Region, hosted by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat, will place cities and regions at the centre of the post-2027 programming dialogue. The session brings together key stakeholders to reflect on where transnational cooperation can deliver the greatest impact, including perspectives from Ukraine. It will produce a concise set of jointly defined actions and insights to inform and inspire the ongoing development of the post-2027 Programme.

Social innovation and social entrepreneurship can unlock new pathways for resilient and inclusive regional transformation. The RESIST project invites you to work with other regions to develop stronger ecosystems, support measures and policy frameworks
that allow social innovation to thrive in your region!

Welcome drinks & light snacks in the Cauldron Hall at Kultuurikatel as part of the get together and networking event.

This plenary examines how Baltic Sea Region (BSR) states, supported by the EUSBSR and its Action Plan, can strengthen readiness and coordination in the face of sudden shocks, including geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, large-scale infrastructure disruptions, and crises affecting critical supply chains. The session analyzes existing emergency-management frameworks, identifies gaps in cross-border interoperability, and highlights best practices from recent events that tested national and regional response systems. Discussion focuses on practical mechanisms to accelerate joint situational awareness, improve civil-military cooperation, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support local authorities during sustained emergencies. The session aims to outline a shared roadmap for a more integrated, efficient, and anticipatory crisis-response architecture across the BSR.

Panelists TBA

1. Co-creating a more secure and resilient Baltic Sea region with Interreg
2. Caring for those who care for us: resilience of the people behind health and social care
3. Save the world in 90 min: mission-orientated innovation policy roleplay
4. Trust under fire: building resilient border communities
5. BSR total resilience 2040: a comprehensive perspective for securing our macro-region
6. When disaster strikes – who steps up? A real-time flood simulation with citizens and stakeholders
7. SmartAging 2040: building elderly-centred resilience in the Baltic Sea region

This plenary addresses the escalating environmental pressures facing the Baltic Sea, including eutrophication, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and the accelerating effects of climate change. It explores how ecological instability intersects with human security, regional economic development, and long-term sustainability. Speakers assess current progress toward regional climate goals, identify structural barriers to implementing large-scale mitigation and adaptation measures, and present innovative approaches in circular economy, green infrastructure, climate-resilient coastal planning, and nature-based solutions. The session highlights opportunities for joint action, emphasizing how coordinated governance and shared scientific resources can strengthen the region’s overall environmental resilience.

Panelists:

• Florian Krampe, Director of Climate and Risk, SIPRI, TBC

8. Risky business: strengthening maritime safety to protect the Baltic Sea
9. From crisis to capacity: what we can learn from Ukraine and how to collaborate better
10. Defending energy infrastructure: Baltic Sea region responses to hybrid and geopolitical threats
11. Hidden "treasures" of BSR – munitions and wrecks in the sea: risks, challenges and solutions
12. From plans to reality: governing urban mobility for resilience
13. Culture as infrastructure for resilience and security

Venue: Port of Tallinn Cruise Terminal, address Logi tn 4/2.

This plenary focuses on demographic trends – ageing populations, shrinking labor forces, and uneven migration patterns – that strain social systems across the BSR. It considers how demographic shifts impact economic competitiveness, public services, social cohesion, and the long-term vitality of rural and urban communities. Experts discuss strategies to attract and retain talent, support healthy ageing, integrate newcomers, and reduce regional disparities exacerbated by population decline. The session highlights policy tools and collaborative initiatives that can build adaptive, inclusive, and future-oriented societies that remain resilient amid demographic transformation.

More panelists TBC

14. Creative economies in the BSR: what regions can gain from deeper connection and active cooperation
15. How can regional food systems can contribute to Nordic and Baltic resilience
16. Shifting tides, resilient territories: advancing spatial resilience in the Baltic Sea region
17. The regional recipe for a strategic environmental assessment for maritime spatial planning
18. Sovereign intelligence: strengthening Baltic resilience through AI local value
19. Mind the Gap – permanent cross-border platforms as silo-breakers between regions and the EU

This plenary concentrates on the joint actions required to secure long-term resilience across the Baltic Sea Region. It highlights how coordinated planning, shared resources, and unified governance can strengthen the region’s ability to withstand and adapt to interconnected emergency, environmental, and demographic challenges. Discussions focus on practical avenues for deeper cooperation, including harmonized risk assessments, interoperable digital systems, cross-border preparedness initiatives, and jointly financed innovation and resilience projects. The session aims to identify future-oriented collaborative measures that can reinforce stability, accelerate adaptive capacity, and ensure a coherent regional approach to resilience in the decade ahead.